Peer Advocate Self-Sufficiency

Peer Advocate, Life Spring

Lifeline Services is hiring a Peer Advocate to support our growing team. The Peer Advocate provides supportive services to youth and youth adults (YYA) who are experiencing homelessness or who are at risk of homelessness. Assures that the Drop in Center is functioning from a housing first model. The Peer Advocate makes sure that the YYA's needs and wants are being heard and addressed, that YYA's are getting assistance in obtaining safe, stable, inclusive housing that supports independence and permanent connection.

This is a lived experience role that will help our team to create a warm and welcoming environment for the young people that we serve.

We're looking for a candidate with strong skills in engagement, crisis intervention, case management, interviewing, rapport building, assessment, goal setting, and youth participation and development.

Required Qualifications

• Applicant must have lived experience and have knowledge on how to navigate systems.
• BA preferred or enrolled in college courses.
• Possess a good understanding of the homeless issue here in San Diego, human development, mental health, and substance use and how that impacts daily functioning.

• Must have reliable transportation and be willing to work evenings as necessary to meet YYA's needs. Successful completion of multi-state criminal background check.

Responsibilities

• Create a safe, welcoming and supportive environment to engage participants.
• Provide basic needs assistance (food, water, new clothing, hygiene products, access to shower and do laundry, etc.)
• Create, organize and facilitate the various groups and outings.
• Connect participants to resources based on their needs.
• Initiate and organize outreach efforts
• Maintain the drop-in center (cleanliness, ensure rules are being followed, food orders and basic needs inventory)
• Completes other duties as assigned.

Schedule/Compensation

• FT/nonexempt position
• Monday-Friday from 8:30am-5pm (with flexibility)
• [$20.00 - $22.00] Salary will commensurate with experience and education. Differential pay offered for bilingual skills. EEO.

• Must have a valid driver's license and reliable transportation with a good driving record.
• Willing to use own, properly insured, reliable vehicle for the job (mileage reimbursed).
• Employment subject to clearances, including background finger printing checks, driving record, tuberculosis testing, and drug testing.

About the Company

North County Lifeline, Inc. is a non-profit human services organization that offers a wide range of services to the people of San Diego County. Our mission is to build self-reliance among youth, individuals and families through problem solving, skill-building and accessible community-based services.

Come be part of a team who CAR 2 Es! At North County Lifeline, you will find people who are Connected to the communities we serve, Authentic, and Resourceful. We are Responsive to the needs of our clients and Engaged in our mission to build self-reliance among youth, adults, and families. Equal Opportunity Employer.

We offer flexible work hours and excellent benefits to our employees.

• Generous paid vacation
• Paid sick time (6 days)
• Paid holidays (14 days)
• 100% employer paid medical, dental, vision, chiropractic and acupuncture coverage
• 100% employer paid life insurance
• Health and wellness programs
• Employee Assistance program
• Professional development assistance
• Great employee incentive awards program
• Training and education assistance
• Matched 403b retirement plan
• Flexible Spending Account
• Paid supervision hours (clinical positions)

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

North County Lifeline DBA Lifeline Community Services ("Lifeline") is steadfast in its commitment to ensuring an inclusive workplace where diversity is celebrated and discrimination is not tolerated. We are committed to creating a workplace where all employees feel valued, respected, and empowered to bring their best selves to work. We adhere to all federal, state, and local laws concerning employment discrimination and provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty, or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws.

In California, we extend these protections to include ancestry, medical condition, genetic characteristics, mental or physical disability (including HIV and AIDS), familial status, citizenship, primary language, immigration status, and age (40 and above) among others, recognizing and valuing the diverse backgrounds and perspectives that all individuals bring to our team.

Lifeline is committed to complying with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the California Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) by providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and by ensuring that our employment…