Peer Support Specialist

A Peer Support Specialist leverages and models their individual lived experience of recovery from homelessness, addiction and/or mental health concerns, marginalized youth, along with skills in resiliency and training, to deliver supportive services for youth (18-24) and promotes a wholistic mind-body approach to recovery and resiliency among program participants. This role requires knowledge of homelessness, skills with support and advocacy, crisis intervention, and provides connection to resources and treatment.

The Peer Support Specialist embodies a positive spirit of recovery and resilience grounded in hope and optimism and facilitates program participant change through goal setting, education and skills building.

• Travel throughout the program’s service area is required on a regular basis.
• Must be able to work in diverse and, at times, uncomfortable environments such as homeless shelters, service facilities, streets, offices, and all other locations as necessary to fulfill program objectives.
• Exposure to Indoor and Outdoor environments, Memory/recall, Sitting and tying/documentation of client interactions, Hearing/Listening, Verbal and Electronic (i.e. email and text message) communication.
• Physical movements such as bending, kneeling, walking, and lifting (30 to 50 pounds) may be required.

Full-Time as indicated in posting

• Work hours may vary but are typically scheduled around a 40-hour workweek designed to fulfill program objectives with occasional overtime requirements.

• Ensures that the participant’s voice is heard and incorporated in programming with a trauma informed lens.
• Works in collaboration with Youth Transitions Project (YTP) staff, youth service providers, local mental health providers, and other local partners to provide community resources for individuals experiencing homelessness, advocates for client housing needs, works to resolve system failures to overcome housing barriers.
• Peer Specialists initiate contact with program participants and connect individuals experiencing homelessness to services, including but not limited to housing resources, healthcare including Medicaid and behavioral health treatments, and public benefits including SSI/SSDI while utilizing meetings in community gathering places, coffee meetings, and other spaces as a part of the program intervention.
• Follows up with individuals/households post-housing to check-in on stability and recovery progress (if applicable), assess for needs, and refers to further resources, as needed. Organizes and facilitates group activities to support community involvement, including but not limited to sober activities.
• Leads life skills classes with youth enrolled in services.
• Works independently, exercises good judgment and participates as a member of a multidisciplinary team.
• Demonstratable skills in operating computer programs (Word, Excel, databases), office equipment, and telephones.
• Travels to service locations, agency partners, and participant residences to conduct outreach and follow-up.
• Supports individuals in recovery with evidence-based practices associated with participant engagement and care.
• Coordinates with case manager and program staff to foster positive outcomes in housing and behavioral health. Peer Support Specialists are expected to collaborate with case managers and advocate alongside participants for unmet needs.
• Performs all other duties as assigned.

• Models core culture attributes of VOACO that include “AIRS” (Accountability, Integrity, Respect…