Peer Specialist

About the role

The Peer Specialist provides outreach, case management, or rehabilitative services. This position, along with team members, engages, houses, and provides wraparound clinical services to participants. Participants are identified through county data and other assessment processes as frequent users of emergency services, criminal justice, and other homeless/county services.

Participants have Serious Mental Health Disorders, Substance Use Disorders, and/or Chronic Health Conditions. The role involves providing support, role modeling, and coaching to participants in the program, assisting with accessing public benefits, and advocating for participants in the criminal justice system.

Responsibilities

• Provide outreach and engagement to homeless adults in various locations such as encampments, parks, shelters, treatment facilities, jail, court, etc.
• Engage and re-engage participants who have lost contact with the team.
• Assist in interviewing and completing initial intakes with clients, gathering, and assembling related information, and maintaining appropriate records and files.
• Maintain thorough and concise case notes.
• Aid in linking participants with community treatment services for mental health, substance recovery, physical health care, financial assistance, education, employment services, housing, advocacy, socialization activities, and other services.
• Aid participants in developing goals and strategies for increasing self-sufficiency.
• Support participants in accessing public benefits (e.g., General Assistance, Food Stamps, SSI).
• Support participants as they navigate the criminal justice and court systems.
• Advocate for participants by interacting with judges, court mental health staff, public defenders, etc.
• Help participants develop a Wellness Recovery Action Plan.
• Attend clinical, administrative, and case conferencing meetings as dictated by the program supervisor.
• Enter all data on time and correctly to support program evaluation and outcomes tracking.
• Ensure proper and timely documentation of services including written case notes using the BIRP formats and billing services to Medi-Cal.
• Assist the Program Manager, Clinical Supervisor, and other staff as needed.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Personal life experiences with recovery from addiction, homelessness, and/or mental health recovery required.
• Six months of field experience working with people experiencing homelessness.
• Use of personal vehicle and proof of a valid and current California Driver’s License and current insurance along with a clean DMV record required.

Qualifications

• Excellent verbal & written communication, organizational, and time management skills.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with meticulous attention to detail.
• Ability to work well independently and collaboratively with teams.
• Possess an understanding of and practice cultural sensitivity.
• Experience in building rapport and engaging in the most difficult to serve participants.
• Experience and ability to build supportive and respectful working relationships with individuals with disabilities and/or are experiencing homelessness that instills hope and promotes self-determination using a strengths-based approach.
• Sensitivity to and understanding of the special needs of the homeless.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office programs, systems, and platforms.
• Ability to learn and use required mobile devices and business-related applications.
• High degree of emotional intelligence, cultural humility, with a proven track record to build and maintain effective relationships with a wide variety of internal and external contacts.

Skills

• Excellent verbal & written communication skills.
• Organizational and time management skills.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Cultural sensitivity and understanding.
• Experience in building rapport and engaging with difficult-to-reach participants.
• Ability to build supportive and respectful relationships with individuals with disabilities and/or experiencing homelessness.
• Emotional intelligence and cultural humility.

Benefits & Perks

• $25.00-$27.50/DOE
• 100% paid health, vision, and dental options
• 19 PTO days & 12 Holidays per year
• Voluntary benefits: FSA, EAP, Commuter Checks, Life Insurance, Legal, and more
• 3% retirement match/contribution
• Professional Development Trainings and Opportunities, Leadership Academy Programs, and All Staff Events
• Dynamic, mission-driven culture and supportive leadership

Pay

$25.00-$27.50/DOE

Schedule

Not specified