At a Glance
- Tasks: Support individuals facing life challenges using your personal experiences.
- Company: Join a passionate team at The Edinburg Center with 40 years of community service.
- Benefits: Great pay, health benefits, paid time off, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Dynamic team culture with diverse interests and excellent mentorship for certification.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while growing your own career.
- Qualifications: Must have lived experience with significant life disruptions and a valid driver's license.
The predicted salary is between 21.06 - 21.06 £ per hour.
This is a mobile position providing services in the surrounding communities of Bedford, MA.
What You Will Do:
You must have personally experienced a significant life disruption due to diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), mental health diagnosis, substance use, trauma, extreme states, or other systems involvement (e.g., homelessness, foster care system, incarceration) that enables the Peer Specialist to provide support to people in services in a unique and distinct way.
Who You Are:
- Must be eligible to complete a certification that is recognized by the state of Massachusetts, including the Certified Peer Specialist (CPS).
- Pathway to Certification will be completed upon hire and Peer Support Specialist I will be actively mentored to complete certification as required by relevant contract within 6 months of hire.
- Valid driver’s license and reliable vehicle required.
- First Aid and CPR within three months of hire required.
Who We Are:
A dedicated team of professionals who have chosen to join an organization with a forty year history of serving people with mental illness, developmental disabilities, brain injury and autism in the community. Our staff of 350 have a range of interests and skills.
What We Offer:
We offer an excellent benefits package for both full and part-time staff, including health and dental (must work a minimum of 30 hours), vision, life, short- and long-term disability insurance as well as a 401(k)-retirement savings plan. Paid time off benefits include vacation, personal, sick and holidays. To support ongoing professional development, we offer tuition reimbursement, conference, seminar, certification, and specialized training funding, as well as free clinical supervision for licensure.
We think the best benefit we offer here is the chance to learn from our staff, and we hope you will be willing to teach us as well. Come join us and create your own career path!
The Edinburg Center, Inc. is an Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employer. Candidates who bring the strength of diversity are encouraged to apply.
Peer Specialist ICWA in Bedford employer: The Edinburg Center
The Edinburg Center is an exceptional employer that values the unique experiences of its staff, particularly those with personal insights into mental health and developmental challenges. Located in Bedford, MA, we foster a supportive work culture that encourages professional growth through mentorship, ongoing training, and a comprehensive benefits package, including health insurance and tuition reimbursement. Join our dedicated team and enjoy the opportunity to make a meaningful impact while pursuing your career aspirations in a vibrant community.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Peer Specialist ICWA in Bedford
✨Dive into Local Community Groups
Social work thrives on community connections, so get involved in local groups or forums specific to your interests. Whether it’s volunteering at local shelters or joining community action boards, these are great ways to boost your visibility and make direct contacts that could lead to opportunities like the one at The Edinburg Center.
✨Attend Social Work Events and Workshops
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences in social work. These events are fantastic for meeting professionals in the field, learning about emerging trends, and spotting job openings. Plus, you might just bump into someone from The Edinburg Center!
✨Showcase Your Passion and Expertise
Use platforms like Instagram or LinkedIn to share your journey and insights into the social work sector. Whether it’s writing about your experiences or sharing relevant articles, this helps to establish you as an engaged professional. Potential employers, like The Edinburg Center, will notice your enthusiasm!
✨Leverage Your Network
Don’t hesitate to reach out to professors, mentors, or even past colleagues who are in social work. They might have inside knowledge about openings at The Edinburg Center or be able to connect you with someone who’s hiring. Networking is key, especially in a full-time role where relationships matter.
We think you need these skills to ace Peer Specialist ICWA in Bedford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let us see your passion for social work shine through! Talk about the experiences that made you want to pursue this career—whether it’s volunteering, personal experiences, or academic projects. We want to know why this field matters to you.
Emphasise Relevant Qualifications:Make sure your CV highlights any relevant qualifications, like degrees in social work or certifications like a DBS check. If you've done any workshops or training, don’t forget to include those as well. We're keen to see your commitment to your professional development!
Detail Your Experience with Clients:Since this is a hands-on field, detailing any direct experience you have with clients is crucial. Whether it's internships, volunteer roles, or previous jobs, highlight those experiences in your CV to show us you've got the practical skills necessary for the job!
Tailor Your Application to The Edinburg Center:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to The Edinburg Center! Research our mission and values, and refer to them in your cover letter. This shows us that you understand our work and are genuinely interested in being a part of our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at The Edinburg Center
✨Understanding the Role of Empathy
In social work, understanding and demonstrating empathy is key. Be prepared to share personal experiences or scenarios where you effectively showed compassion and support. This helps show that you genuinely care about the well-being of others, which is crucial in social work.
✨Demonstrating Knowledge of Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with the frameworks and models used in social work, such as the Strengths-Based Approach or the Ecological Perspective. Be ready to discuss how these frameworks apply to your work, especially if you can tie them into real-world examples or case studies you've encountered.
✨Showcasing Your Multi-Disciplinary Skills
In a full-time social work role, you'll often collaborate with healthcare professionals, educators, and law enforcement. Be prepared to describe your teamwork experiences and how you've effectively communicated with other disciplines to achieve the best outcomes for clients.
✨Preparing for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical social work situations, such as dealing with a crisis or managing a complex case. Think through your thought process for these scenarios beforehand, considering how you'd assess the situation and what steps you'd take, as this demonstrates your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
