Peer Specialist - Watkins

The mission of the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless is to work collaboratively toward the prevention of homelessness and the creation of lasting solutions for homeless and at-risk families, children, and individuals throughout Colorado. The Coalition advocates for and provides a continuum of housing and a variety of services to improve the health, well-being, and stability of those it serves.

• Honoring the inherent dignity of those we serve, affirming their capabilities and fostering their hope that a better life is possible.
• Building strong, caring and trauma-informed communities through the integration of housing, health care and supportive services.
• Advocating for social and racial equity, inclusion and diversity, and challenging the status quo in partnership with our workforce members and those we serve.
• Achieving excellence through continuous quality assurance, innovation and professional development.
• Using resources judiciously and effectively.

Through lived experience that includes recovery from substance use, homelessness, and/or effective treatment of mental health conditions, the Peer Specialist offers insight & first-hand knowledge to support clients, families, and their integrated teams. You will work to support clients with various challenges to overcome obstacles and achieve their goals by focusing on strengths, empowerment, and advocacy.

Due to grant funding lived and recovery experience is required

• Valid driver’s license required. This requirement may be waived, if necessary, based on overall candidate experience and current needs of the business.

• Choice of HMO or PPO health insurance coverage options: full-time employees contribute only 1% of their earnings for their own HMO health coverage and no more than 4% of their earnings for coverage of eligible dependents. We’re proud to offer same-and opposite-sex domestic partner coverage.
• Choice of dental insurance or discount plan.
• Vision insurance.
• Flexible spending accounts for health care / dependent care / parking expenses.
• Free basic life and AD&D insurance coverage.
• Employee Assistance Program, a problem-solving resource available to you and your household members.
• Dollar-for-dollar retirement plan matching contributions up to 5% of earnings with 3-year vesting.
• Extensive paid time-off, including 9 holidays, 12 days of sick leave, and three weeks of vacation for new full-time employees in their first year.

• Provides mentorship and support to clients through personal lived experience to build skills in goal setting & problem solving with an emphasis on individual strengths, resilience, and empowerment.
• Facilitates counseling and activities for clients in recovery from substance use disorders in individual or group settings to promote connection and agency.
• Helps clients coordinate & navigate critical services including healthcare, housing assistance, and behavioral health in partnership with internal teams & outside community partners.
• Transport and/or escorts clients to scheduled appointments at Coalition properties and elsewhere as needed.
• Collaborates alongside Coalition staff to foster trusting relationships with clients and ensure services provided are timely while aligned to individual goals.
• Responsible for ongoing client outreach within the community to monitor needs that are recovery oriented.
• Ensure timely & accurate use of all company systems as required while maintaining complete up-to-date records and any future upgrades as directed.

• Completion of accredited Peer Specialist training program highly preferred. Ability to enroll and/or complete training program within the first 6 months of employment
• Bi-lingual English-Spanish and/or ASL preferred but not required.
• Prior peer mentoring experience serving individuals experiencing behavioral health challenges and/or homelessness highly preferred.
• Must be a person with lived experience including substance use disorders and/or mental health challenges.
• Must have a minimum of 1-year continuous recovery from relevant lived experience described above and maintain recovery throughout employment.

• Demonstrates a clear understanding of confidentiality protocols & adheres to privacy laws/organizational policies regarding sensitive information.
• Engages in meaningful & authentic interactions through active listening, trauma-informed care, and empathy that promote trust.
• Recognizes professional boundaries and identifies potential conflicts of interests to maintain ethical standards in interactions with clients, coworkers, and stakeholders.
• Establishes trust and rapport with individuals, even in challenging or sensitive situations, to foster openness and respect.
• Actively advocates for the needs & rights of individuals/families to ensure access to necessary services, resources, and support systems identified by the clients they serve.
• Demonstrates awareness and continuously seeks to learn & apply…