POSITION SUMMARY

The Community Autism Peer Specialist is a part time role located at 4625 Frankford Ave. Philadelphia, PA 19124. The Community Autism Peer Specialist will work up to a maximum of 20 hours per week with a flexible schedule based on the needs of the participants. Early evening and weekend hours may be required. This is a hybrid work from home position, with required in-person participant visits and occasional office days. Position is contingent upon funding.

ESSENTIAL POSITION REQUIREMENTS:

• 
  Education:
  • • Minimum of a High School or GED Diploma required; Associates Degree in a Human Services related field is preferred.
    • Minimum of 1 year of paid or volunteer work experience or obtained 24 post-secondary education credits within the past 3 years required.
    • Credentialed as a Community Autism Peer Specialist.
• Work Experience:
  • • Demonstrated knowledge of the local Autism systems and services.
    • Must possess basic computer skills to perform job duties including desktop computing, e-mail, time sheet management, electronic health records, internet research, etc. and the ability to learn software applications relevant to your position.

• • Ability to work independently and to carry out assignments to completion within parameters of instructions given, prescribed routines, and standard accepted practices.
  • Must be able to work under pressure and meet deadlines and billable unit requirements, while maintaining a positive attitude and providing exemplary customer service.
  • Depending on your program, you must possess a valid driver's license.
  • Depending on your program, must have access to a car to use for work on a daily basis with automobile insurance coverage at the state requirement levels and current state registration.
• Strong written and verbal communications skills

• Computer proficiency and technical aptitude with the ability to use Microsoft products, including PowerPoint; experience with HRIS and benefits databases.
• Ability to manage both the strategic and day-to-day operations with superior organizational skills; ensuring the management of multiple projects, and being highly detail oriented.
• Personality to enforce accountability of NET policies and procedures, must be able to work with all types of personalities
• Flexible and able to exercise independent judgment to interpret and apply policies and regulations to specific situations.
• Adhere to applicable city, county, state, and federal laws and regulations, internal policies and procedures, and standards.
• Must have current, satisfactory verification of the following:
  • • Pennsylvania Child Abuse History Clearance
    • Pennsylvania State Police Criminal Record Check
    • FBI Record Check (If applicable)
    • Valid Driver’s License (in state of residency)

ESSENTIAL POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Utilizing a variety of approaches including but not exclusive to mentoring, psychoeducation, and modeling new skills, collaborates with participants with assessing their hopes, strengths, accomplishments and challenges in order to create goals; assists to identify supports and arrange services and resources to achieve goals.
• Collaborates with participants to identify, develop, and access resources and supports to increase their success with responsibility, self-sufficiency, community integration and community inclusion.
• Supports participants in the development of their self-directed recovery plans, the self-management of critical or crisis situations, and the coordination of relevant supports; facilitates the participant's self-review of their progress upon each encounter.
• Obtains necessary information during the intake process, and collaboratively documents their progress in the NET electronic health records system at time of service; ensures that all data is correct by verifying the information with the participant.
• Supports participants in the community when participating in events, visits, and other interactions.
• Complies with all other established quality and regulatory standards, including supervision and training requirements.
• Creates weekly schedule, two weeks in advance that meets existing program productivity standards and supervision.
• Assists participants with educational, employment, or other goals of the participant's choosing, provides support with accessing appropriate medical, mental health and substance abuse services and/or acquiring stable housing as needed.
• Maintains compliance with all NET policies and procedures. Reports any activities that may violate established laws, regulations, policies or procedures. Raises questions about any actions contrary to law or policy taken by another staff member or employee or yourself, and reports the matter to management or to the Director - Quality Improvement & Compliance and/or Human Resources.
• Other duties as assigned to fulfill NET's mission.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Sit at a desk with ergonomically appropriate equipment.
• Lift up to 25 lbs.
• Ability to perform the essential job functions while meeting qualitative and/or quantitative productivity standards safely and successfully with or without a reasonable accommodation.
• Ability to maintain regular, punctual attendance and be available for flexible work schedule, including evenings and weekends and/or work holidays/overtime as needed.

• Be available for flexible work schedule, including evenings and weekends and/or work overtime as needed.
• 80% of a Community Autism Peer Specialist's time is spent in community settings and/or outreach. Community Autism Peer Specialists must be able to travel within the community that may not be handicap accessible: walk, drive agency vehicles, and/or take public transportation depending on the needs of the program.
• Frequent talking and listening. Must be able to talk, listen, retain information and speak clearly and accurately; possible exposure to loud and/or vulgar language and hostile gestures.