Peer Specialist - East Scattered Site - 10734

About the role

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.

Responsibilities

• Maintains current and complete COVID-19 vaccination(s), as defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and local health authorities.
• Provides individual and group peer support, drawing on common experiences as a peer, to validate residents’ experiences and to provide guidance and encouragement to residents to take responsibility and actively participate in their own recovery.
• Conducts routine room checks and submits report to case management. Also works with residents on any room concerns such as cleanliness.
• If assigned to building 8, coordinates with building 5 staff as residents move from 5 to building 8.
• Provides transportation for needs not met by local transit. This may include transporting residents to outside recovery meetings.
• Actively participates, collaborates, and contributes to the Supportive Residential Community program to promote a team culture in which each resident’s point of view, experiences, and preferences are recognized, understood and respected, and in which Resident self-determination and decision-making in service planning are maximized and supported.
• Helps residents identify, understand, and combat stigma and discrimination associated with, addiction, mental illness and homelessness and develop strategies to reduce self-stigma.
• Helps other team members to identify and understand culture-wide stigma and discrimination against people with substance use disorders, mental illness and homelessness and works to develop strategies to address stigma within the team.
• Serves as a liaison between team and consumer-run programs such as self-help groups and drop in centers.
• Maintains and ensures confidentiality of all resident information.
• Solicits, listens, and responds to client feedback about services.
• Attends and participates in formal and informal staff meetings, and addresses resident and program issues.
• Completes all necessary documentation including HMIS in a timely manner.
• Participates in performance assessment activities through data collection and by facilitating access to program residents.
• Monitors residents’ needs through regular contact and assists team in crisis intervention.
• Organizes and facilitates social activities including creating and distributing event flyers to clients and staff.
• Performs direct client care for a minimum of 50% of working time (including face to face appointments, case management via phone, advocacy and linkages with external supports in the community) as reflected by HMIS documentation.
• Maintains a work environment that is marked by respect for others; that values inclusiveness; and that fosters cooperation and teamwork.

Qualifications

• Prior or current recipient of substance abuse treatment and/or mental health or homeless services, with the ability to role model recovery, and who is actively participating in their own recovery.
• Experience with co-occurring mental health and substance treatment disorders.
• Evidence or experience with program implementation.
• Must be able to work under stressful conditions, work variable hours and be available 24/7 to respond support staff in responding to crises.
• At least one year of recovery from substance abuse is preferred.
• Knowledge of evidence-based practices used by this project.
• Ambitious to embrace the mission and philosophy of recovery and client centered services.
• Must pass CBI check.
• Adheres to Agency’s non-discrimination policies.
• Bilingual preferred.

Skills

• Strong communication skills.
• Ability to build and maintain positive relationships with residents and staff.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and prioritize responsibilities.
• Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information.

Benefits

• 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.
• 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.

Pay

$20.64 - $25.14 an hour

Schedule

Variable hours and availability 24/7 to respond support staff in responding to crises.