Peer Support Specialist – Part-Time – Multiple Vacancies

September 18, 2025

Part Time
Newark, NJ
Posted 7 months ago

Job Category

Staff & Executive – Healthcare – Medical and Patient Services

Overview

Rutgers University Behavioral Health Care (UBHC), established in 1971, offers a full continuum of evidence based behavioral health and addiction services for children, adolescents, adults, and seniors throughout New Jersey. UBHC’s 1,060 experienced behavioral health professionals and support staff are dedicated to treatment, prevention, and education. UBHC, one of the largest providers of behavioral health care in the country, has a budget of $260 million and has 15 sites throughout New Jersey. Services are readily accessible and include: inpatient, outpatient, partial hospitalization, screening, crisis stabilization, family/caregiver support, community outreach and case management, supportive housing, supported employment, prevention and consultation, employee assistance programs, and a licensed therapeutic school from preschool through high school. Specialty services include the New Jersey suicide prevention helpline and peer help lines for police, veterans, active military, teachers, mothers of special needs children and child protective service workers. In FY2016, UBHC treated 16,199 consumers, had 24,502 admissions, and touched the lives of 19,441 individual callers through peer support. In addition, UBHC is the primary mental health training resource for the New Jersey departments of Human Services, Children and Families, and Corrections, delivering 16,000 trainings each year.

Posting Summary

Rutgers is interviewing for this position during our hiring event on Tuesday, September 23, and we will be extending offers immediately following successful interviews! To schedule an interview, please apply to this posting and contact Tracie Ciancio at 732-235-5081 or [email protected]. Our hiring event will be held at 57 US Highway 1, New Brunswick, NJ 08901. Walk-ins are welcome from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey is seeking a part-time Peer Support Specialist for the Crisis Receiving and Stabilization Center (CRSC) within Rutgers University Behavioral Health Care.

The primary purpose of the part-time Peer Support Specialist is to assist in the development and maintenance of a recovery-oriented environment for adults (age 18 years through maturity). They will provide a wide range of peer support services to consumers to assist them in regaining control over their own lives and their own recovery process. Provides services in accordance with UBHC and Unit policies and procedures.

Among the key duties of this position are the following:

Uses his/her own experiences with recovery as a vehicle to establish rapport and relationship building with the consumer or family member.
Assists consumers in identifying their personal recovery goals, assists in setting objectives for each goal, and determines interventions to be used based on the consumer’s recovery/life goals. Is actively involved in the development of the consumer’s treatment plan.
Develops and maintains a therapeutic relationship with consumers so that he/she can identify emotional, psychiatric or behavioral changes which may require further intervention or treatment. Helps the consumer effectively address the problem, and/or refers the consumer to the appropriate clinical staff.
Acts as liaison to community resources and assists consumers in using these resources to enhance their independent living skills.
Works closely with other team members in providing services and communicates frequently regarding client’s responses to treatment.
Assists in collection and reporting of data to evaluate program effectiveness and comply with funding source requirements.
Maintains a working knowledge of available resources in the community and communicates same to team and the consumer.

FLSA: Nonexempt

Grade: 187

Salary Details

maximum salary is $47,657

Minimum Salary

28.300

Mid Range Salary

28.800

Maximum Salary

29.660

Offer Information

The final salary offer may be determined by several factors, including, but not limited to, the candidate’s qualifications, experience, and expertise, and availability of department or grant funds to support the position. We also take into consideration market benchmarks, if and when appropriate, and internal equity to ensure fair compensation relative to the university’s broader compensation structure. We are committed to offering competitive and flexible compensation packages to attract and retain top talent.

Benefits

Rutgers offers a comprehensive benefits package to eligible employees, based on position, which includes:

Medical, prescription drug, and dental coverage
Paid vacation, holidays, and various leave programs
Competitive retirement benefits, including defined contribution plans and voluntary tax-deferred savings options
Employee and dependent educational benefits
Life insurance coverage
Employee discounts programs

For detailed information on benefits and eligibility, please visit: http://uhr.rutgers.edu/benefits/benefits-overview.

Position Status: Part Time

Working Hours

8am-12 midnight Saturday/Sunday; 12am-8am Saturday/Sunday

Standard Hours: 40.00

Daily Work Shift: Rotating

Work Arrangement

This position requires a fully on-site work arrangement.

Union Description: Teamsters 97

Payroll Designation: PeopleSoft

Terms of Appointment: Staff – 12 month

Position Pension Eligibility: PERS

Minimum Education and Experience

High school diploma or equivalent.
Be a self-identified current or former user of mental health or co-occurring services who has personal experience and knowledge of recovery and has a minimum of one (1) year of experience supporting others.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge about psychosocial rehabilitation and the recovery model is essential.
Be able to work independently and as a member of a team.
Have good knowledge of public transit system or willingness to learn and teach.
Be able to use computer to record services or be willing to learn.

Physical Demands and Work Environment

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: Occasional time spent traveling to community settings for outreaches. Moderate physical effort (lift/carry up to 25 pounds). Frequently walks, bends, stretches, pushes and pulls. Manual dexterity and mobility for charting. Lifts supplies, equipment and charts. Sitting while interviewing clients; may sit up to several hours in one place. Working with seriously mentally ill adults.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: Varied work settings include office and community setting. May be exposed to infectious and contagious diseases. Subject to varying and unpredictable situations. Handles emergency or crisis situations. May be exposed to clients exhibiting assaultive or aggressive behaviors. Generally pleasant working conditions in a clean, well-lighted, and quiet to moderately loud setting.

Special Conditions