Peer support specialist Jobs in Rochester, NY

Program : Action Front Center

Location : 33 Chestnut Street

Position : Prevention Education & Peer Program Manager

Hours : 37.5 / 52 wks.

Salary Range : $39,097 - $53,364

Salary Grade : 9

Summary of Responsibilities :

Under the direction of the AFC Director, The Prevention Education / Peer Program Manager is responsible for implementing scientifically evaluated and proven interventions / prevention and curricula, effective with target populations at high risk for HIV, HCV, and STDs. This position manages and oversees staff and activities provided through the AFC Dept. and Targeted Prevention and Support Service (TPSS) initiatives. The Prevention Education / Peer Program Manager develops and implements peer educator training, coordinates individual and group prevention / intervention strategies, informational / educational, linkage, and retention services, to high-risk individuals / groups.

The Prevention Education / Peer Program Manager is responsible for overseeing and conducting outreach and prevention interventions that provide health information, risk reduction education, and skills development opportunities. This position coordinates a variety of support services to those most vulnerable and high-risk populations by assisting individuals in modifying / changing behaviors. In addition to recruiting, training, and supervising / managing full-time staff, this position recruits and oversees the planning and efforts of 12-17 Peer Educators. With the assistance of the Sr. Peer Health Advocate, the Prevention Education / Peer Program Manager supervises stipend and volunteer Peer Education Team members and volunteers; coordinates formal peer educator training; and implements related activities / special events. These structured peer teams receive a paid stipend to help staff deliver outreach, recruitment, and related education / information; and work to increase consumers / community awareness and access to care.

The Prevention Education / Peer Program Manager additional duties include Delivers HIV client centered navigation services; conducts intake / assessment services to determine personal risk behaviors; works with consumers in developing risk reduction strategies and skills; initiates links with HIV / STI counseling, testing, and screening health / human service organizations; and provides linkage & navigation services. This position coordinates a variety of community activities / events to promote the program, increases HIV awareness, reinforces prevention messages, and that promote STI screening, HIV counseling and testing services. These include outreach and recruitment through marketing, community fairs, presentations, and public forums.

The Prevention Education / Peer Program Manager also maintains and secures consumer and program data for use in reporting program and participant progress; completes and submits required reports, log sheets and other statistical information that confirms outcomes and adherence to contractual obligations and policies.

Qualifications and Education and Experience :

• Education : Bachelor's Degree required in Health Science, Public / Community Health, Social Work, Nursing, Counseling, or related discipline; or equivalent combination of education (Associates Degree required) & related work experience.
• Experience : Two (2) years of professional experience required working in healthcare / community education, public health, human service field, or comparable setting; preferably in a not for profit / community-based organization. Requires direct experience working in HIV, risk reduction education, and service coordination. Requires a minimum of two (2) years of supervisory & managerial work and / or experience in a leadership role. Peer & volunteer recruitment, training, and management experience is a plus.
• Must possess excellent organizational, planning, and task / project management skills. Requires strong analytical, problem-solving, and critical-thinking skills; and must be attentive to details. Must have good time-management skills; and be able to handle multiple tasks and priorities, with fixed deadlines. Requires flexibility and ability to work in a fast-paced environment; availability for possible evenings / weekend assignments. Requires strong leadership skills, tact, and diplomacy; and the ability to work independently, as well as a team member.
• Requires a strong level knowledge of HIV issues; consumer / community engagement & mobilization strategies; and the needs of individuals / groups / communities most impacted by HIV, focusing on vulnerable populations (i.e., low-income, people of color, etc.). Must be familiar with local community demographics; related statistical data, advancements, & trends; and barriers / obstacles in accessing care / treatment and increased public awareness / education.
• Requires experience and familiarity working with successful evidence-based interventions and prevention strategies, including motivational interviewing and adult learning styles. Requires experience training, mentoring, and supervising adult / youth peer educators / work groups. Must possess demonstrated work experience and knowledge in the following areas : public policy; legislative issues; health disparities; social determinants of health.
• Must have demonstrated experience conducting and interpreting individual screening assessments, developing service plans. goal setting; and monitoring / evaluating consumer progress. Requires knowledge of related assessment / screening methods and instruments used in providing navigation services. Requires experience implementing consumer and staff info / referral and navigation systems to increase access and options for referrals; and initiating, establishing, and maintaining service linkage agreements and partnerships.
• Requires demonstrated experience, strong initiative, and creativity, in developing and implementing program and staff work-plans : following and providing directives in overseeing assigned projects / assignments; and in coordinating special events / community forums / informational & educational activities. Must have experience leading planning / work teams, individuals, and organizations in collaborative initiatives, both internal and external. Requires the ability to monitor and evaluate programs / activities / performance; troubleshot potential obstacles and risks; and the ability to advise and implement corrective action / changes as directed. Requires an ability to work independently as well as a member of a work team.
• Must know and understand HIPAA and NYS HIV confidentiality laws, policies and procedures and maintain a high level of confidentiality. Must have knowledge of various priority populations at high -risk and / or living with HIV; must have sensitivity to the needs, norms, values, and cultural beliefs, associated with HIV status and treatment. Requires familiarity with Dept. of Health / related experts and advisory groups / bodies (regulations, mandates, recommendations, procedures, etc., in maintaining safety and best practices in service provision / peer education programs (MCHD, AIDS Institute, etc.).
• Requires excellent communication skills, both verbal and written; and strong public speaking, meeting convening / group facilitation, and presentation skills, for diverse groups / individuals. Requires experience developing, preparing, and disseminating informational announcements, educational materials, directives, marketing, and social media information, etc.; and related communications, to increase awareness and mobilize community partnership efforts.
• Requires strong experience in developing and implementing project communications, outreach, and marketing plans. Requires knowledge and proficiency in social media management vehicles, as well as traditional informational platforms (i.e., Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Tik Tok, Magazines, and LinkedIn).
• Must have strong interpersonal and customer relations / service skills; should possess enthusiasm and sensitivity; and experience working work with individuals / groups from diverse backgrounds, organizational levels, in a variety of settings. Requires commitment to developing consumer / Peer voice and leadership skills; and the ability to lead, recruit, and engage people from impacted populations in advocacy, education, coalitions, focus groups, and program activities.
• Must have demonstrated experience coordinating community forums and events, and Familiarity with the Greater Rochester area, community resources, community-based organizations, support service programs, with particular a knowledge of health organizations, health-care benefits, and delivery systems, both public and private. Requires the ability to develop effective working relationships at various organizational levels and multiple sectors / segments of the community, must be able to develop positive partnerships and collaborations with Agency affiliates, and the public.
• Requires proficiency with all Microsoft Office Applications : Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook; strong experience managing data base systems and data entry; experience in maintaining electronic & paper records / file systems; experience preparing reports, forms, spreadsheets, and related communications required. Requires proficiency in AIDS Institute Reporting System (AIRS), documentation, forms, and report preparation.
• Bi-lingual skills and the ability to speak, read, and write in the Spanish language is a plus.
• Requires the physical health and physical capability to work in an office setting as well as in the field.
• Requires a valid NYS Driver's License, and access to reliable transportation daily.