Clubhouse Generalist/Peer Specialist (TOP Clubhouse)

Organization Overview: The Goddard Riverside Community Center (Goddard Riverside) and the Stanley M. Isaacs Neighborhood Center (Isaacs Center) are well-established Manhattan community-based agencies that support services to approximately 30,000 New Yorkers. We are two of New York City’s leading human services organizations meeting the needs of children, youth and families, homeless individuals, and older adults through-out Manhattan and New York City. We work every day for a fair and just society where all people have the opportunity to make choices that lead to better lives for themselves and their families. The Isaacs Center focuses primarily on the needs of children and low-income families, out-of-school and out-of-work youth, and aging New Yorkers. We operate at community centers located in the neighborhoods of East Harlem and Yorkville, and seek to deliver programs that are impactful, innovative, and intergenerational.

Program Description: The Other Place (TOP) is a clubhouse that assists individuals with mental illness to achieve their desired goals in the areas of working, living, learning, and socializing. Members belong to a community where they share in decision making about the operation of the clubhouse its daily activities. Members work side by side with staff through a work ordered day structure and can also engage in social activities together on the evenings and on weekends. Increased fulfillment, sense of purpose, and stability inevitably follow as members hold jobs, graduate from schools, develop social networks and experience fewer hospitalizations and improved overall health.

Position Summary: The Clubhouse Generalist/Peer Specialist will work in partnership with staff and members in the daily operation of the clubhouse employment, education, advocacy, and wellness programs. The Clubhouse Generalist/Peer Specialist is responsible for engaging Clubhouse members in all activities that keep the community going while also assisting them in reaching their recovery goals and ensuring quality supports and services.

Schedule: 5 days per week, 35 hours per week; some rotating evenings and weekends

Salary Range: $40,500-45,500

Candidates must have the required qualifications to be considered for the position. The salary offer will be based on the candidate’s number of years experience in the exact or comparable position and additional preferred qualifications will be taken into account.

Roles, Responsibilities and Essential Duties

• Carry a caseload of 25-30 adults with serious and persistent mental illness.
• Maintain caseload records with documentation of services provided, according to specific program procedures.
• Responsible for completing case notes and service plan using an electronic database.
• Prepare timely internal and external reports.
• Collaborate with treatment, housing, education, and vocational providers.
• Active participation in operating and maintaining clubhouse.
• Assist in the development of transitional employment opportunities for members of the Clubhouse.
• Assist in organizing and engaging members in work ordered day and social and recreational activities.
• Facilitation of evidenced-based workshops/meetings, encouraging input for shared decision making and program improvements
• Attend training programs and supervision meetings.
• Assist in maintaining the cleanliness and upkeep of the clubhouse environment, along with other staff and members.
• Conduct outreach activities to referral sources to enhance membership.
• Other duties as required including providing some services and activities remotely.

Peer Specialist Services:

• Provide a broad array of support services and serve as a role model to individuals living with chronic mental illness, trauma or substance use.
• Assist individuals to navigate the entitlement system. Advocate for needed benefits and ensure recertification of Public Assistance, SNAP, SSI/SSDI.
• Educate members about self-help techniques and self-help group processes, including effective coping strategies and wellness management skills
• Use tools like the Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP) to help members create their own individual wellness and recovery plans. Assist in training members and staff in WRAP concepts.
• Identify and support linkages to community resources (communities of recovery, educational, vocational, social, cultural, spiritual resources, mutual self-help groups, professional services, etc.) that support individual goals and interests.

Qualifications/Educational Requirements

• Certified Peer Specialist with one year’s experience working individuals with severe mental illness and substance use disorders
• High School Diploma or Equivalent Required
• Food Handler’s Certificate a plus

Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Team oriented
• Good judgment and problem-solving skills
• Creative, flexible, skilled in working with hard to engage members

Computer Skills: To perform this job successfully, an individual should be:

• Able to work in the Microsoft Office Suite, should be especially proficient in Word, Excel, and Outlook
• Able to use or learn to use AWARDS database.
• Able to use or learn other electronic databases, programs, and funder-related software as needed.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to lift up to 40lbs
• Considerable physical activity

Work Environment

• Members and staff share an office
• Program is in a church.
• Significant outreach in the community such as employment development with businesses, and member trips

We are committed to building an inclusive workplace community grounded in respect for differences. We support hiring a broadly diverse team of qualified individuals who will contribute to our organizations.

Goddard Riverside and Isaacs Center provide equal employment opportunities to employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, national origin, age, disability, marital or veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.

The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of duties and responsibilities that will be required of this position and title and shall not be construed as a declaration of the specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position. Employees may be requested to perform job related task other than those specifically presented in this description. This job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.