Peer Support Specialist

Peer Support Specialist

STGi is currently seeking a qualified Peer Support Specialist candidates for the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and Veterans Affairs (VA) Supportive Housing (HUD/VASH) Program.

The primary work of the Peer Support Specialist is to serve as part of a multidisciplinary team that supports the engagement and stabilization of Veterans enrolled in the HUD-VASH program. Peer Support Specialists perform a variety of therapeutic and supportive tasks that assist Veterans in articulating their goals of recovery, learning, and practicing new skills and modeling effective coping mechanisms. There are opportunities for PSSs at both the Housing Navigation and Clinical levels. This position requires substantial field/outreach work.

Essential Functions

• Participate in the service, training, consultation, and other professional activities of VA health care services and functions as a fully vested member of the multidisciplinary team.
• Use personal recovery experiences to model coping techniques and recovery tools to coach Veterans on relevant skills needed for self-management of their health condition(s) and pursuit of their personal wellness.
• Observe behaviors that might indicate difficulty adapting or responding to treatment (e.g., missed assessment appointments, failure to attend or maintain abstinence, risk to self or others, disruptive behavior), completes appropriate documentation, and reports concerns to the treatment team in a timely manner.
• Use ongoing individual and group meetings to teach Veterans how to identify and combat negative self-talk and overcome fears by providing a forum that allows Veteran to share their experiences.
• Function as a role model, exhibiting competency in personal recovery and use of coping skills. Serve as an advocate while also providing information and peer support services to Veterans.
• As necessary, handle crisis interventions for Veterans and address other emergent situations through immediate consultation with the supervisor or most available clinical provider.
• Maintain a working knowledge of current trends and developments in holistic approaches in wellness and recovery by reading books, journals, and other relevant materials.
• Assist clients with moving which may include helping to locate affordable moving companies, storage units, acquiring furniture, and other move-in essentials.
• Attend collaborative meetings and network with other agencies and coalitions.
• Advocate on behalf of the Veteran to assist in the delivery of needed services.
• Attend daily/weekly meetings, supervision and case conferences as assigned.

Maintain and complete reports and accurate documentation of service objectives and outcomes as well as other services in accordance with guidelines and regulations.

Maintain client data in required systems.

Required Skills

• Ability to cope/resolve conflict and crisis situations.
• Ability to work collaboratively with others and in a team.
• Takes initiative and has a solution focused practice.
• Proficient in use of computers, including Microsoft Office software and familiarity with database platforms to efficiently track service delivery.
• Must have a current California driver's license and insurance for regular driving and transporting.

Required Experience

• Must complete the VA designated Peer Specialist-approved certification course.
• Bachelor's degree (desired but not required)
• Veteran (Required)

Working Conditions/Physical Requirements

• Possible exposure to inclement weather during visits with veterans in their community
• Work with people experiencing homelessness whether on the streets, in shelters or other places of habitation or services, may present inherent challenges and difficulties such as: exposure to bed bugs or other infestations, unpleasant smells or odors, individuals who may have poor hygiene or unclean homes due to homelessness, mental health symptoms, or poverty.
• Additionally, employees may encounter instances of profanity, sexually explicit or derogatory language, or verbal or physical expressions of anger and trauma. Very rarely do these situations ever escalate to physical contact, and negative or derogatory communication patterns can often be negotiated successfully. All direct care staff are provided adequate training to develop skills to deescalate crisis situations that may arise, and STGi has established procedural safeguards for all employees to mitigate (but not eliminate) these inherent risks of employment.

STGi offers a competitive benefits package which includes Medical, Dental, Vision, 401k with company match and a generous PTO policy.

STGi is committed to hiring and retaining a diverse workforce. We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer, making decisions without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected class.

Pay Rate: $18 - $20/hr