Bilingual Peer Specialist
Part Time • MHA Dunkirk Recovery Center
#radicalacceptance #lovewins #recoveryhappenshere #harmreductionworks #wellness
Position Summary:
The Mental Health Association in Chautauqua County is seeking a compassionate and motivated Bilingual Peer Support Specialist (Spanish/English) to join our team at our Dunkirk office. This peer-driven role supports individuals experiencing mental health or substance use challenges by drawing on lived experience to promote recovery, resilience, and self-determination.
Key Responsibilities:
- Provide individual and group peer support services in both English and Spanish
- Use lived experience with mental health and substance use recovery to inspire hope and engagement
- Assist participants in navigating mental health, substance use, and community-based services
- Support wellness planning, self-advocacy, and recovery-oriented goal setting
- Maintain timely and accurate documentation in accordance with agency and program requirements
- Collaborate with MHA staff and community partners to support participant outcomes
Qualifications:
- Valid driver's license
- Bilingual in Spanish and English (required)
- Lived experience with mental health and substance use disorders (required)
- Peer Support Specialist certification (or willingness to obtain within reasonable timeframe)
- Strong communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills
- Ability to maintain professional boundaries and confidentiality
- Must pass background check
Why Join MHA Chautauqua:
We are a peer-driven organization committed to empowerment, radical acceptance, and recovery. This position offers meaningful work, competitive hourly pay, and the opportunity for additional hours as the program grows.
Compensation: $20.00 per hour
Who We Are
Mental Health Association in Chautauqua County is a community-based organization providing recovery supports to the people of Chautauqua County and WNYS. We offer a unique perspective as people on a path of wellness ourselves. While embracing recovery supports and harm reduction, we know each persons' path of wellness is to be chosen by them. Our shared experience and professional skills becomes an asset to help others navigate community services, deepen wellness and empower people to live their fullest life.
Our peer specialist's and coaches are New York State Certified Peer Specialists through the Academy of Peer Services/NY Office of Mental Health. They are also trained as Recovery Coaches in the Connecticut Community for Addiction Recovery (CCAR) Model together with Friends of Recovery New York (FOR-NY) and NYS Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS).
Our peer specialist's and coaches are New York State Certified Peer Specialists through the Academy of Peer Services/NY Office of Mental Health. They are also trained as Recovery Coaches in the Connecticut Community for Addiction Recovery (CCAR) Model together with Friends of Recovery New York (FOR-NY) and NYS Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS).
Our Mission
The Mental Health Association in Chautauqua County commits to radical acceptance, empowerment, and advocacy for our community members who struggle with mental health and substance use.
Our Vision
The Mental Health Association in Chautauqua County envisions a time when the peer recovery model is widely relied upon as a foundation of support and advocacy to address the total needs of all individuals and their families challenged by the effects of mental health and/or substance use disorders. We will persevere in changing our local culture to one of hope, kindness, and justice, redefining and expanding the possibilities for a rich and satisfying life for people in recovery.
(if you already have a resume on Indeed)
Or apply here.
