Veteran Peer Mentor - Outreach Worker - Durham (Seeking Veterans) (63373)

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Outreach
• Identify locations frequented by potential veteran applicants (including veteran family members)
• Provide direct outreach to veterans and their families in their naturally occurring environments (i.e. home visits and community visits)
• Engage and build rapport with target population
• Provide identification of and pre-screening for eligibility of potential applicants
• Cook up initial screening and assessment with Case Management team
• Coordinate Stand Downs and other VA/community outreach activities
• Provide client access to services and community resources as needed
• Support
• Provide peer support, mentoring, and coaching to SSVF participants through assistance in navigating and accessing veteran and mainstream resources
• Accompany veterans to appointments, when appropriate
• Provide peer support and mentoring in securing permanent housing
• Facilitate discussion and training in peer groups, as determined by the Case Management team
• Monitor and document participation, progress, referrals, and services provided to participant
• Aid Case Management team in preparing discharge plans and follow-up contact with SSVF program participants
• Complete paperwork and data reports as requested by the Program Team including use of HMIS Networking
• Other Responsibilities
• Attend agency, community, and supervisory meetings, as needed
• Maintain working relationships with community agencies to provide comprehensive services to participants
• Maintain working relationships with veteran serving organizations
• Attend in-service trainings and outside conferences/workshops, as requested by the Program Manager

Qualifications

• Able to speak, write and understand English
• Possess basic computer skills
• Must be sensitive to and respect cultural diversity amongst clients, staff and volunteers and able to work with diverse racial, ethnic and economic groups
• Flexible work schedule including evenings, nights, weekends and holidays
• Able to set appropriate limits, work under deadlines and multi-task
• Able to organize, prioritize, self-motivate, and deliver results
• Excellent communication and listening skills
• Possess strong work ethics
• Successfully pass Law Enforcement background screening
• Valid North Carolina driver’s license if driving an agency vehicle or a personal vehicle for company business
• Must have reliable transportation
• Participate in Agency Performance Quality Improvement (PQI) program and Accreditation/ Reaccreditation process
• Mission-driven attitude supplemented with integrity and passion
• Adherence to the highest ethical standards, personally and professionally
• Openness and willingness to receive feedback/suggestions from superiors and others, and to learn new skills to improve job performance
• Additional Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
• Basic knowledge of the resources in the community available for the veteran population, especially services and programs offered by the VA
• Basic knowledge of severe and persistent mental illness and substance abuse
• Strong oral and written communications
• Strong organizational, time management, and data management skills
• Proven ability to work effectively both individually and as part of a team
• Ability to multi-task and problem solve under pressure
• Ability to provide positive customer service to difficult populations
• Education and Experience
• This position is specific to an individual with prior military experience
• Experience or education with human services, homelessness, and veteran resources is a plus
• Individual will be responsible for attending a peer support training prior to mentoring participants
• Must be able to comply with complex governmental regulations, policies and procedures and demonstrate thorough document compliance efforts and activities
• Must be proficient with data management and information systems and have basic knowledge of Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook
• Mental Demands
• Must handle new and diverse work problems on a daily basis
• Personal maturity is an important attribute
• Must be able to resolve problems, handle conflict, and make effective decisions under pressure
• Must have the ability to listen objectively to people, perceive the real problem and assist in bringing issues to a successful conclusion
• Must relate and interact with, volunteers, clients, contractors, visitors and employees at all levels within the Agency
• Work Environment
• Environment will occasionally become noisy due to equipment operations and interactions among clients and staff
• There may be the possibility of being exposed to communicable disease, possible exposure to verbal abuse or similar behavior from residents/clients
• On an as needed basis, employees may be called upon to work outside of the established work schedule or work odd hours
• All information associated with the Agency is confidential