Non-Congregant Shelter Peer Support Lead - Internal

St. Francis Center (SFC), an institution of the Episcopal Diocese of Colorado, was established in 1983. SFC is a refuge for homeless people in the metro Denver area. Our programs and services are tailored toward adults and focus on daytime shelter, social services, health and wellness, housing, employment, outreach and a new program to provide non-congregate shelter operations. In SFC's services, the people we serve can work with a variety of specialists, depending on their individual needs, to establish the first step toward transformation, new beginnings and stability.

Department:
Housing and Supportive Services

Exemption Status:
Full-time, non-exempt position

Location of work :
Non-Congregant Shelter (NCS) Stone Creek Hotel, 4595 Quebec Street, Denver, CO 80216. This shelter is a 24/7/365 staffed community.

Position Description

The NCS Peer Support Lead provides day-to-day leadership, mentoring, coordination, and support to the NCS Peer Support team. The position serves as a bridge between Peer Support Specialists, guests, Case Management, Housing, Wellness, Intake, Shelter Operations, and NCS leadership.

The Peer Support Lead utilizes lived experience, peer-support principles, trauma-informed practices, and a housing-focused approach to help guests increase engagement, develop self-sufficiency, overcome barriers, and successfully transition from shelter to permanent housing.

The Lead is responsible for helping establish consistency, accountability, and quality within the Peer Support program while maintaining appropriate professional boundaries and modeling effective peer-support practices.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Peer Support Team Leadership
  • Provide day-to-day guidance, coaching, and support to Peer Support Specialists.
  • Serve as a resource for staff regarding guest engagement, peer-support practices, boundaries, and NCS procedures.
  • Assist with assigning and coordinating daily Peer Support responsibilities.
  • Monitor completion of assigned Peer Support duties and follow-up activities.
  • Model professional behavior, appropriate boundaries, and trauma-informed communication.
  • Assist the Director with identifying staff training and development needs.
  • Participate in Peer Support staff meetings and team planning.

• Guest Engagement and Support
  • Develop trusting, respectful relationships with NCS guests.
  • Utilize lived experience appropriately to provide hope, encouragement, and motivation.
  • Assist guests in identifying personal strengths, goals, and barriers to housing.
  • Encourage guests to participate in services, groups, activities, and community resources.
  • Support guests in developing independent living and problem-solving skills.
  • Help guests navigate appropriate community resources and service providers.
  • Recognize when a guest's needs require referral to Case Management, Wellness, Housing, or another professional service.
• Housing-Focused Support

• • Reinforce the NCS's primary goal of helping guests obtain and maintain permanent housing.
  • Work collaboratively with Case Managers and Housing staff to support guest housing plans.
  • Assist guests with identifying barriers to housing and developing strategies to address those barriers.
  • Encourage participation in housing appointments, housing searches, employment opportunities, and other activities that promote stability.
  • Support guests in developing skills necessary for successful independent living.
  • Help promote housing retention and successful community integration after placement.
• Communication and Collaboration
  • Serve as a communication link between Peer Support and other NCS departments.
  • Participate in interdisciplinary meetings as assigned.
  • Communicate relevant guest concerns to appropriate staff while maintaining confidentiality.
  • Coordinate with Case Management regarding guest engagement and identified barriers.
  • Collaborate with Housing staff regarding housing readiness and transition needs.
  • Work with Wellness staff when guests need additional behavioral-health or wellness support.
  • Maintain appropriate communication with Shelter Operations regarding safety, policy, and operational concerns.
• Conflict Resolution and De-escalation
  • Assist Peer Support staff with difficult guest interactions and challenging situations.
  • Utilize trauma-informed and de-escalation techniques.
  • Help resolve routine guest concerns before they escalate.
  • Recognize situations that require immediate involvement from management, security, emergency services, or other professionals.
  • Maintain appropriate boundaries and avoid assuming responsibilities outside the scope of the Peer Support role.
• Community Building and Programming
  • Assist in developing and coordinating Peer Support groups and activities.
  • Encourage positive community relationships among NCS guests.
  • Support guest-led activities and opportunities for leadership.
  • Promote participation in employment, education, wellness, recovery, recreational, and community activities.
  • Help create an environment that promotes dignity, respect, safety, and personal responsibility.
• Documentation and…