LifeWorks of Austin, TX is looking to hire a Family Recovery Support Specialist to join our Peer Support team! The Family Recovery Support Specialist provides support services and education to clients who are expectant and/or parenting via group facilitation, individual mentorship, community collaboration, and the provision of alternative activities. The Family Recovery Support Specialist utilizes a trauma-informed, strengths-based model of support as well as their own lived experience in parenting and navigating mental, behavioral health, or child-serving systems to assist and empower families raising children, and to foster and promote recovery and wellness with each client served. The overall goal of peer support is to decrease bias and prejudice associated with behavioral health challenges and promote effective strength-based, cross-system services that are family-driven/youth-guided.

This full-time, non-exempt position earns a competitive rate starting at $20.25/hr. Benefits include 24 PTO days per year (accrued); 11 paid holidays per year; a premium-free employee medical plan with $100 per month HSA contribution (plus other affordable employee or family medical, dental, and vision options!); a retirement savings plan with 50% match on the first 6% of contributions, and much more!

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Promotes recovery, resiliency, and accountability to help others initiate or achieve long-term recovery to enhance quality of life, health, and wellness.
• Meets with individual clients who are expectant/parenting, as needed, to establish a safe, healthy relationship for learning, problem-solving, and participating in community activities; assists clients in building a network of support; makes referrals and coordinates client services, as appropriate.
• Facilitates sexual health and parenting support groups with expectant and parenting clients in community sites through the implementation of program curricula, experiential activities, presentations and discussions, field trips and/or skill-based activities. Services may be facilitated virtually or in-person.
• Plans, develops, and provides presentations and outreach on a variety of topics, such as parenting supports, sexual health, substance abuse and disease prevention/intervention, health/mental health promotion, trauma and recovery, community resources, relationship-building, and coping strategies.
• Connects clients to community resources and supports, including sexual and reproductive health care services, recovery resources, and public benefits.
• Communicates effectively with a range of audiences, demonstrating excellent facilitation skills, and knowledge and comfort discussing topics related to sexual and reproductive health.
• Advocates for clients within the community as well as internally to ensure that client needs are being recognized, represented, and addressed.
• Develops and maintains positive working relationships with agency staff and community contacts such as referral sources, recovery community organizations, peer-run programs in non-recovery organizations, and other service providers.
• Maintains up-to-date online documentation of client services and contacts by frequently entering into agency database. Assesses and documents client progress towards identified goals.
• Maintains approved non-clinical supervision and continuing education.
• Uses crisis intervention and de-escalation techniques to assist clients in mental or emotional crisis.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Requires a GED or HS Diploma and 2 years of related individual and group support experience.
• Requires lived experience with 1) trauma and 2) substance use or mental health challenges.
• Record of maintaining own recovery over the past 2-year period.
• Requires reliable transportation and a valid driver's license.
• Requires lived experience of parenting a child. Experience as a young parent preferred.
• Experience with databases; proficient level experience with Microsoft Office including, Word, Excel, and Outlook.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Preferred certification as a qualified Peer Supporter (or certification must be obtained within 9 months of hire).
• Preferred two (2) years of volunteer or work experience in education, social services, adult education, community organizations, or related fields.
• Preferred experience navigating child-serving systems (i.e. behavioral health, education, child welfare, foster care, juvenile justice).
• Preferred bilingual fluency in English and Spanish.

ABOUT LIFEWORKS

With more than 50 years of experience working with youth experiencing homelessness, youth aging out of foster care, young adults, and young parents, we are a fearless advocate for youth and families seeking their path to self-sufficiency. We have one of the most comprehensive continuums of housing and support options for vulnerable youth in the country. We are committed to innovative problem solving, shared accountability and a relentless focus on achieving real, sustainable, and measurable results for the clients we serve. A career at LifeWorks offers opportunities to grow and develop your professional skills while making an immediate difference in the lives of youth and families in our community.