Peer Support Specialist

Job Description

Description
SUMMARY: This position provides case management and supportive services for program participants in the Permanent Supportive Housing Program, who may also be living with addictions and mental illness. The goal of the program is to ensure long-term housing stability for individuals who have a history of homelessness. Successful candidates are committed to ending homelessness and dedicated to CCC's mission of serving the most vulnerable in our community, including older adults, individuals with disabilities, LGBTQIA identifying individuals, and those traumatized by systemic inequities.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Build rapport with clients.

Develop mechanisms to solicit feedback on client interests and needs. Compile data to inform program development.

Coordinate with local social service agencies, health departments, and medical centers to ensure program participants are receiving services necessary to achieve personal goals.

Identify other community resources and provide in-depth referrals to housing, medical and/or mental health services.

Work collaboratively with coworkers to support clients, develop service plans and connect with community resources, to ensure progress towards housing goals.

Provide in person, community-based assistance, including home visits with program participants

Collaborate with housing case managers on a regular basis to facilitate positive engagement and recovery strategies.

Facilitate peer run groups, as appropriate.

Develop wellness recovery action plan (WRAP) with participants, with a focus on housing and assist clients in developing recovery goals.

Monitor and assess client's mental health status; provides peer-appropriate supportive counseling as needed.

Advocate on behalf of clients to obtain essential services and/or support them to advocate for themselves.

Arrange and provide transportation for clients to appointments, grocery stores, offices, etc.

Enter all appropriate documentation into agency-approved database in a timely manner; Provide documentation of services including group and individual case notes; maintain complete and accurate case files and case records.

Participate in training activities and ongoing professional development as assigned by supervisor.

Represents the Agency in the community and workplace in a professional and ethical manner.

Demonstrates sensitivity to the service population's cultural and socioeconomic characteristics.

Demonstrates strong interpersonal, decision-making, problem-solving, oral, and written skills.

Utilizes a basic knowledge of Microsoft Office applications.

Qualifications
EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE: High School Diploma or GED required. Peer Specialist Certification Preferred. Must have lived experience of homelessness, housing instability, mental health, and/or addictions.

DIRECT REPORTS: None.

About the Employer

Turn your passion for helping others into a meaningful career with CCC. Apply now at https://www.cccofva.org/getinvolved/careers. CCC provides equal employment opportunities without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity), national origin, age, disability, or genetic information (including family medical history) in all aspects of employment including selection, job assignment, compensation, discipline, termination and benefits, except where there is a bona fide occupational qualification reasonably necessary to the normal operation of the agency.
Commonwealth Catholic Charities is a drug-free and smoke-free workplace. Employment may be contingent upon successful completion of a drug screening and background check.