Shelter Plus Care Peer Support Specialist

About the role

Shelter Plus Care Peer Support Specialist utilizing SAMHSA’s 8 Dimensions of Wellness will assist the individuals served in SPC in increasing and restoring their ability to live successfully in the community by maintaining tenancy. By doing so, the individuals will increase the ability to live as independently as possible, managing MH/SA related illnesses and reestablishing their roles related around the 8 Dimensions.

Location: Charlotte, NC

Job Type: Full-time

Responsibilities

• Assist residents in understanding and complying with lease agreements and housing rules.
• Promote literacy of the lease and any other agreements signed to secure housing.
• Support peers in resolving tenancy issues, including landlord disputes, rent arrears, or housing inspections.
• Assist peers in obtaining vital documents if needed such as birth certificates, official ID, or social security cards.
• Link individuals to credit repair or expungement resources if needed.
• Promote independent living skills such as budgeting, cleaning, and home maintenance.
• Assist when applicable with identifying resources to cover expenses to cover security deposit, moving costs, furnishings, adaptive aids, environmental modifications, and other needs when identified.
• Maintain regular face-to-face contact with individuals to ensure the living environment is safe and individuals are thriving in supportive housing.
• Use lived experience with mental health recovery to build trust, and reciprocal and supportive relationship.
• Provide emotional support, encouragement, and hope to residents facing mental health challenges and/or substance use disorder.
• Facilitate or co-facilitate peer-led wellness groups, and provide coverage to the PRN Hub, if feasible, and encourage participation of SPC individuals at the Hub.
• Support peers in developing personalized wellness and crisis plans.
• Advocate for residents’ rights and preferences within housing and mental health systems.
• Encourage self-advocacy and support peers in setting and achieving personal goals.
• Encourage community inclusion and support peers in making community connections.
• Educate residents on tenant rights, mental health resources, and community supports.
• Work closely with case managers, clinicians, housing staff, and community partners.
• Participate in multidisciplinary team meetings to support holistic care planning and support peers in mutual agreement meetings.
• Maintain accurate, confidential, and timely documentation of services provided.
• Engage in ongoing training in trauma-informed care, harm reduction, housing first, and peer support ethics.
• Assist in accessing financial entitlements such as SSI/SSDI, Medicaid, Special Assistance, food stamps, VA benefits and payee services (as needed) including assisting with applications for these entitlements and identifying and referring to local resources.
• Responsible for other duties assigned by management.

Qualifications

• Current North Carolina Certified Peer Support Specialist or eligible to become certified.
• Belief in the recovery potential of all people and commitment to the philosophy of peer support by reinforcing their ability to work and/or achieve personal goals.
• Ability to receive guidance, training, and mentoring to grow skills and knowledge.
• Demonstrates leadership by modeling PRN’s mission, values, philosophy, and guidance to team members.
• Demonstrates taking personal responsibility, being dependable, reliable, working as a team player, and utilizing personal determination skills.
• Demonstrates honesty, integrity, is ethical and approachable.
• Ability to interact effectively with the public, providers, and other stakeholders.
• Committed to personal recovery and wellness and has a personal history of recovery and lived experiences in seeking and receiving crisis-based support.
• Ability to manage time and complete tasks.
• Knowledge of a variety of computer software applications in word processing, spreadsheets, databases and presentation.
• Excellent communication skills (oral and written) using active and reflective listening, asking curious questions, validating others’ experiences, remaining non-judgmental, and demonstrating effective conflict resolution skills.
• Must have a valid NC Driver’s license.
• Reliable transportation to transport peers.
• Proof of car insurance.

Pay

$18 – $21 per hour based on experience.

Benefits

• Health insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Sick time
• Paid time off (PTO)
• 401K
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Life insurance (optional)
• Short-term and long-term disability

Culture & growth: Mission-driven impact with direct contribution to transforming communities and empowering individuals on their recovery journeys; dynamic work environment with varied impactful work from one-on-one support to community outreach; growth opportunities including ongoing training, peer support certification, and advancement into leadership or specialization in advocacy and recovery; comprehensive training in trauma-informed care, person-centered planning, and more; supportive, collaborative culture where everyone is respected, empowered, and valued; meaningful daily impact helping individuals find their way to recovery and better quality of life.

Schedule

Full-time.