Peer Support Specialist

WHO WE ARE

The Road Home was founded in 1923 and has been a leader in ending homelessness for over 100 years. We provide emergency shelters, supportive services, and housing-focused rental assistance that helps individuals and families step out of homelessness and back into the community. We are seeking compassionate and empathetic individuals who are interested in making a difference in the lives of others and their communities. 


The Road Home is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Our mission to help people experiencing homelessness is strengthened by a highly qualified team with a variety of perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences. We are committed to fostering a workplace where everyone feels valued, respected, and empowered to contribute their unique strengths.

We welcome applicants from all walks of life who share our passion for ending homelessness, collaboration, and compassion. Together, we can create a supportive environment where every voice is heard, and every person has the opportunity to succeed.

BENEFIT SUMMARY

The Road Home is a 501c3 non-profit social services agency whose mission is to help people step out of homelessness and back into our community.
Come be part of the solution.
We have a robust, reasonably-priced, and inclusive benefits plan for full and part-time employees (25-40 hours/week)

• Health Care Plan (Medical, Dental & Vision)
• HSA, FSA, HRA (We reimburse part of your deductible!)
• Retirement Plan (403B with TRH contribution and match)
• FREE Life Insurance for employees
• Paid Time Off (Vacation, Sick & 12 Public Holidays)
• One Floating Holiday Per Year
• Free Short Term & Long Term Disability
• Employee Assistance Program
• Free Training & Development
• Tuition Assistance for a wide variety of classes!
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) qualifying agency

JOB SUMMARY 

The Peer Support Specialist uses their lived experience to empower and support individuals as they identify their own pathways to recovery, build safety and wellness plans, and work toward stability and self-defined success. This role fosters hope, connection, and forward momentum by modeling recovery, resilience, and healthy coping strategies. The Road Home seeks a compassionate, motivated individual who is open to growth and committed to making a positive impact in the lives of others. The Certified Peer Support Specialist provides peer mentorship to guests who are high utilizers of shelter services or who express interest in behavioral health support. This position builds trusting relationships with guests, encourages engagement in services, and helps individuals navigate barriers by drawing on shared lived experiences and trauma-informed principles. 

*Applicants must be authorized to work for ANY employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa at this time. 

*This is an in-person position. 

Positions Available
1

Locations
Family Interim Non Congregate Childrens Housing (FINCH)
315 W. 3300 South, South Salt Lake, 84115

Shift/Schedule
Flexible. Monday-Friday or Tuesday-Saturday, 7:30am-3:30pm, 8:00am-4:00pm, 8:30am-4:30pm, 9:00am-5:00pm

Reports to

Family Engagement Supervisor

Grade and starting salary

Grade 6, $18.90/hour

FLSA Status

Non-Exempt

EEO Class

Administrative Support Worker

Schedule

Flexible. Monday-Friday or Tuesday-Saturday, 7:30am-3:30pm, 8:00am-4:00pm, 8:30am-4:30pm, 9:00am-5:00pm

Essential Duties and Responsibilities 

Peer Mentorship & Relationship Building 

1. Serve as a peer mentor to individuals experiencing homelessness by modeling recovery, resilience, and healthy coping strategies. 
2. Build trusting, supportive relationships with guests using trauma-informed, person-centered approaches. 
3. Offer a positive example of lived experience and support guests as they identify their own pathways to recovery or housing stability. 
4. Increase guest awareness of self-help, recovery, and advocacy organizations and encourage participation. 
5. Assist guests in identifying, engaging, or re-engaging with natural supports such as family, friends, and community networks. 
6. Provide individualized support in computer lab activities such as email setup, accounts, résumés, and other tasks that promote self-sufficiency. 

Collaboration & Coordination 

1. Collaborate with staff and community partners to coordinate support for guests.
2. Attend weekly meetings with Utah Community Action to support guest orientation, shelter expectations, and resource awareness. 
3. Ensure welcome brochures and orientation materials remain accurate and updated.
4. Attend weekly meetings with First Step House to support guests wanting treatment. 
5. Participate in weekly staffings, team meetings, update meetings, and cross-department coordination efforts. 
6. Participate in Housing Advocate team shift changes to support continuity of care. 
7. Maintain scheduled Housing Resource Desk shifts to support guest access to housing information and services. 

Case Management Support 

1. Accept referrals and co–case manage a caseload of approximately 30 guests experiencing one or more of the following: 
   • Service avoidance, substance use concerns, housing barriers, mental health challenges, behavioral issues resulting in multiple incident reports, and high shelter utilization.
2. Maintain accurate and timely case notes in HMIS in accordance with OHS, agency, state, and federal requirements. 
3. Assist Case Managers with completing housing-related paperwork, documentation, and application materials. 
4. Transport guests to housing appointments, treatment services, or move-in dates. 
5. Support guests during the move-in process to promote a smooth transition and positive housing outcomes. 
6. Use motivational interviewing techniques to help guests toward housing goals.
7. Apply creative and forward-thinking approaches to engage and motivate guests toward stability and housing readiness. 

Housing Advocacy & Support 

1. Help guests identify and overcome housing barriers through resource connection, skill-building, and emotional support. 
2. Maintain an updated list of individuals in shelter who have not yet engaged with Case Management and help facilitate connection. 
3. Provide housing-related support in the lobby or at the front desk during shift change, as available. 
4. Serve as the point of contact for the Housing Survival Class; gather participants and transport them as needed. 

Crisis Response & Safety

1. Assist staff with de-escalation, crisis intervention, and emotional support for guests experiencing acute distress. 
2. Conduct suicide assessments and respond appropriately based on agency protocols. 
3. Create individualized guest safety plans and follow up regularly for stabilization. 
4. Collaborate with the Crisis Clinician and other team members to support guests with behavioral or mental health needs. 

Outreach & Community Engagement 

1. Engage with guests outside the shelter to support housing steps, including signing vouchers, completing paperwork, and preparing for lease-up. 
   • Outreach locations may include hospitals, jails, encampments, or other places not meant for human habitation.
2. Conduct follow-up calls or visits after guests move into housing to connect them with community supports (AA, NA, recovery groups, and other resources). 

Documentation & Compliance

1. Maintain accurate, timely, and detailed case documentation in HMIS and other required systems. 
2. Maintain updated lists, resource materials, brochures, and housing information to support guest engagement. 
3. Attend mandatory agency trainings, including Trauma-Informed Care, Housing-Focused services, De-escalation, Suicide Prevention, CPR, and more. 
4. Participate in emergency drills and environmental safety activities, as required. 
5. Follow all agency protocols for security, safety, and sanitation to maintain a clean and secure environment for guests and staff. 
6. Maintain regular and reliable attendance as an essential function of this position. 

*Other duties as assigned. 

*Reasonable accommodations may be considered to enable all individuals to perform these essential functions, so please still apply. 

Promoting Best Practice 

• Actively engage with and honor the unique backgrounds, identities, and experiences of all individuals we serve.
• Advance the agency’s commitment to honoring diverse ethnic and cultural heritages through daily actions that foster genuine belonging.
• Implement Housing Focused principles, risk management strategies, and high-access services as foundational to our mission. 
• Maintain healthy boundaries using trauma-informed approaches in all interactions. 

*Must pass a pre-employment background check and drug screening.  

Education and Experience 

• Experience working with diverse and/or vulnerable populations is preferred. 
• Must be a Certified Peer Support Specialist or be willing to obtain certification within six months of hire. 
• Lived experience with homelessness, substance use, mental health recovery, or other relevant experience is required as part of Peer Support certification.
• Experience working in shelter settings, behavioral health, or social services is preferred.

Skills and Expectations 

1. Ability to serve as a positive mentor and role model by drawing on lived experience to support guests experiencing homelessness. 
2. Ability to remain calm, grounded, and effective during high-stress situations and provide supportive crisis response. 
3. Ability to work collaboratively with case management, clinical staff, housing teams, and community partners. 
4. Strong boundaries and self-awareness, with the ability to maintain trauma-informed, professional interactions. 
5. Motivation to learn new skills, engage in ongoing training, and participate in reflective practice. 
6. Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work with diverse populations. 
7. Provide thoughtful and attentive customer service by communicating clearly and handling difficult situations with professionalism, patience, and empathy. 
8. Use basic computer programs (email, spreadsheets, and more) and have basic computer skills. 
9. Ability to accept supervision, direction, and feedback with openness. 
10. Communicate clearly and effectively with clients, coworkers, and supervisors using verbal and written communication. 

Physical and Equipment Requirements 

• Ability to lift and move heavy items up to 50 pounds.
• Ability to sit, stand, and move for at least an hour at a time or more.
• Must be at least 21 years old, have a valid, unexpired driver’s license, and the ability to drive a vehicle, as needed.