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You must submit a copy of your Certified Peer Specialist Training Program completion certificate.

TEST ANNOUNCEMENT

NUMBER 2009-003

ISSUED JANUARY 14, 2009

REVISED MAY 1, 2013

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

State Civil Service Commission

Examinations

For

CERTIFIED PEER SPECIALISTS

Exam

No,

Job Titles

Job

Code

Starting

Salary

	1.		Certified Peer Specialist		31810	S3
	2.		Certified Peer Specialist (Local Government)		L0602	*

*Local government salaries vary. Contact the Human Resource Office of the local government agency where you are interested in working for specific information.

When completing your application, please make sure you apply for all job titles for which you want to be tested. You will NOT be permitted to add job titles after you test.

APPLICATIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.

VETERANS: Pennsylvania law (51 Pa.C.S. §7103) provides employment preference for qualified veterans for appointment to many state and local government jobs. To learn more about employment preferences and opportunities for veterans, visit the Commission’s website, Job Seekers page, for Veterans; visit one of our offices; or call our veterans information line, (717) 787-6039.

NATURE OF WORK

You will provide peer support services to mental health service consumers to promote growth, recovery and wellness. You will advocate for consumers and share your personal experiences. You will also provide support to consumers facing everyday challenges. The work includes assisting consumers in recovery with areas such as the identification of personal strengths, conflict resolution, self-esteem enhancement, assertiveness and other recovery skills. You will advise consumers on community resources including housing, employment, education, transportation, recreation, health and religion. You will also attend treatment/recovery meetings to support the consumer.

Certified Peer Specialists work in state mental health hospitals.

Certified Peer Specialists (Local Government) work in county mental health agencies.

JOB REQUIREMENTS

Please make sure you meet all requirements. If after reading the requirements you are not sure you qualify, contact one of the Commission’s offices listed at the end of this announcement for guidance.

For some jobs, offers of employment will be made only if you are willing to travel. Travel expenses will be paid.

You are subject to Pennsylvania residency requirements and must be able to perform the essential functions of the job. Visit the Commission’s website, Job Seekers page, for PA Residency Information.

Both Job Titles

All of the positions in these job titles come under the provisions of the Older Adults Protective Services Act. If you are a final candidate for one of these positions, you will have to obtain a report of criminal record information from the Pennsylvania State Police or a statement that the State Police Central Repository contains no information relating to you. If your background is unacceptable, you will be disqualified for employment in such positions. You will receive information about this requirement and how to obtain the required reports at the time you are being considered for employment.

Certified Peer Specialist (Local Government)

All of the positions in this job title come under the provisions of the Child Protective Services Law. If you are a final candidate for one of these positions, you will have to provide reports on your background from such sources as the Pennsylvania State Police and the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare. If your background is unacceptable, you will be disqualified for employment in such positions. You will receive information about these requirements and how to obtain the required reports at the time you are being considered for employment.

Necessary Special Requirement (Both Job Titles)

Successful completion of a Certified Peer Specialist Training Program approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare.

JOB OPPORTUNITIES

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Certified Peer Specialist

There are 8 filled positions, 2 in each of the following mental health hospitals (counties): Clarks Summit (Lackawanna), Norristown (Montgomery), Torrance (Westmoreland) and Warren (Warren). Approximately 4 appointments and promotions are made annually from lists.

For the most recent information on these job opportunities contact the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare, Bureau of Human Resources, Health and Welfare Building – Room 106, P.O. Box 2675, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17105-2675; Telephone: (717) 787-5068, Internet: www.dpw.state.pa.us, Email: ra-pwhdqpostings@pa.gov

Certified Peer Specialist (Local Government)

There is 1 filled position in the Columbia-Montour-Snyder-Union mental health agency. Additional positions may be filled in other counties.

Employment preference for Local Government jobs may be given to residents of the county where the job is located.

Promotion preference for Local Government jobs may be given to employees who work in the counties where job openings occur.

For the most recent information on these job opportunities contact the Human Resources office of the local MH/MR agency where you are interested in working listed in the telephone directory under “Government/County.”

Additional opportunities may occur due to normal turnover from retirements, promotions, transfers, resignations and so forth.

TESTING

You must submit a copy of your certificate of completion of a Certified Peer Specialist Training Program approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare.

Your application and your certificate will be evaluated to determine if you meet the Necessary Special Requirement. If you meet this requirement you will receive a score.

You must provide complete and accurate information. Failure to do so may delay the processing of your application or result in disqualification.

If you were previously determined to be ineligible, and now meet the job requirements, you may reapply during the life of this announcement by submitting a new application and certificate of completion of a Certified Peer Specialist Training Program approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare.

TEST RESULTS

Employment and promotion lists will be established. You will be notified in writing of your test results.

HOW TO APPLY

Complete your application on the Commission’s website, Job Seekers page, by selecting Online Application, or submit your completed paper application to:

State Civil Service Commission

ATTN: Applications

P.O. Box 569

Harrisburg, PA 17108-0569

Online and paper applications both require submission of a copy of your certificate of completion of a Certified Peer Specialist Training Program approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare at the time of application. Enter your name and Social Security Number at the top. Send by e-mail to RA-cs-transcripts@state.pa.us or fax to (717) 787-8650 or mail to the above address.

Applications and further information can be obtained from:

1.	State Civil Service Commission:

	Harrisburg: 2nd Level, Strawberry Sq. Complex, 320 Market St., P.O.
	Box 569, Hbg., 17108-0569; Telephone (Voice) (717) 783-3058, Text
	Telephone (Deaf/Hard-of-Hearing callers only) (717) 772-2685

	Philadelphia: 110 North 8th St. Suite 503, Phila., 19107; Telephone
	(Voice) (215) 560-2253, Text Telephone (Deaf/Hard-of-Hearing callers only) (215) 560-4367


	Pittsburgh: 411 Seventh Ave., Room 410, Pgh., 15219;
	Telephone (Voice) (412) 565-7666, Text Telephone (Deaf/Hard-of-
	Hearing callers only) (412) 565-2484

	Internet: www.scsc.state.pa.us

2.	PA CareerLink offices

3.	The Human Resources offices listed under the "JOB OPPORTUNITIES" section
	of this announcement

For further information on testing, assistance for persons with disabilities, veterans' preference and other items, refer to the instructions provided with the "Application for Employment/Promotion."