Peer Support Specialist

About the role

JVS SoCal is seeking a Veteran Peer Support Specialist to offer in-person, peer-based support to military Veterans and their families. This role draws on lived experience to build trust, motivate engagement, and assist Veterans as they navigate barriers to employment, housing, VA benefits, and more. The Veteran Peer Support Specialist serves as a bridge between Veterans, partners, and community resources, ensuring that participants remain engaged and supported and make progress toward addressing their barriers.

Responsibilities

• Provide in-person peer support to Veteran participants using lived experience to foster trust, rapport, and motivation.
• Conduct regular in-person check-ins with Veterans to support engagement, goal progression, and retention in services.
• Navigate and assist Veterans in accessing benefits and resources.
• Administer and interpret a variety of assessment tools to assess clients' needs.
• Model positive coping strategies, problem-solving skills, and career readiness behaviors.
• Aid in coordinating with community partners and resources to ensure clients receive the necessary support to address barriers to participants' success.
• Accompany Veterans, as needed, to in-person appointments, workshops, orientations, or employer-related activities.
• Record participant interactions, progress notes, and outcomes in required data systems while complying with program and funder requirements.
• Assist in data collection and report preparation.
• Process supportive services requests to assist Veterans with temporary financial assistance.
• Support outreach efforts to engage Veterans in employment and training programs.
• Represent JVS SoCal at in-person orientations, workshops, job fairs, and Veteran-focused events.
• Host office hours at the local Veteran Access Point, responsible for fostering partnerships at the assigned VAP and collaborating with on-site partners to host engagement events.
• Participate in community events hosted by the program or MVA.
• Maintain compliance with agency and funder protocols and procedures.

Requirements

• BA or BS degree in Career Counseling, Communications, or another related field preferred.
• Background or experience in Case Management, Career Counseling, or Mental Health.
• Prior Military Experience is highly desirable.
• Peer Support Certification or aligned experience.
• Minimum of 2 years’ experience in Veteran Services or career counseling.
• Passion to work and connect in Veteran-related areas.
• Prior experience with Veterans, Veteran organizations, and high-risk populations is desired.
• Knowledgeable about the range of services in the community and develops and maintains relationships with partners to deliver a comprehensive array of services to clients.
• Effective communication skills, including the ability to communicate effectively with stakeholders in written and oral form, including electronic media, using positive interpersonal skills.
• Skills in facilitating groups, writing case notes, and working with a diverse population.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office software and other relevant software.
• Requires travel throughout LA County.
• Reliable transportation is required to travel between work sites, attend meetings, conduct outreach, and support participants.

Qualifications

• Full-time (may include occasional evenings or weekends based on program needs).
• This position is 100% in person and requires regular presence at JVS SoCal offices, partner sites, and community locations.

Benefits

Salary: $24.00-$25.00 per hour.

JVS SoCal will consider qualified applicants with a criminal history pursuant to the California Fair Chance Act. You do not need to disclose your criminal history or participate in a background check until a conditional job offer is made to you. After making a conditional offer and running a background check, if JVS SoCal is concerned about conviction that is directly related to the job, you will be given the chance to explain the circumstances surrounding the conviction, provide mitigating or rehabilitative evidence, or challenge the accuracy of the background check report.

Find out more about the Fair Chance Act by visiting www.calcivilrights.ca.gov/fair-chance-act.

Schedule

Full-time (may include occasional evenings or weekends based on program needs).

Pay

$24.00-$25.00 per hour.