Certified Peer Support Worker

No two days are ever the same at the shelter! (IYKYK)

The Gateway West Shelter team is excited to welcome talented Certified Peer Support Workers (CPSWs) to join us! If you are certified as a CPSW and trauma-informed, we can't wait to meet you.

WHY JOIN US?

• Competitive compensation and benefits
• Immediate impact - this is not just sitting behind a boring desk all day. You'll get to be truly active and engaged with your team and the community.
• Leadership team invested in your success and wellness (this work is hard and we want to support you!)
• CPLC is a trusted non-profit, with decades of work partnering with local communities to drive economic and political empowerment.

PAY & BENEFITS: $28 hourly, non-exempt

• Employee Assistance Program
• Floating Personal Holiday
• Employee Recognition Program
• Paid Time Off & Paid Sick Days
• Medical, Dental, and Vision for Spouse/Domestic Partner & Children up to age 26
• Health Savings Account & Flexible Spending Account
• Wellness Services and Engagement Program
• Telemedicine & Concierge Services
• 401(k) Retirement Plan
• Voluntary Pet Insurance and other optional/voluntary benefits for additional peace of mind
• Tuition Reimbursement for qualifying degrees

LOCATION: 7440 Jim McDowell Rd

SCHEDULE
Monday-Friday, full-time, onsite and in the community as needed. Shifts may have to adapt from time-to-time, including holidays/weekends as needed to support the shelter.

ABOUT GATEWAY WEST
Gateway West is Albuquerque's largest shelter, serving an average of 600 people per night, with cold winter nights bringing in more than 700 people, offering a safe and welcoming environment to people experiencing homelessness. The center is open year-round, offering meals, a warm overnight bed, and secure under-bed storage. Shuttle service is provided daily. The team provides easy access to trauma-informed services such as case management, job searching, and other supportive services. The team's goal is to guide guests through a successful exit from the shelter to safe, stable housing and a plan for ongoing support.


HOW WILL YOU MAKE AN IMPACT?
As the Certified Peer Support Worker (CPSW), you willprovide peer-delivered supportive services to guests residing at the Gateway West Shelter, with the goal of increasing housing stability and supporting transitions to permanent housing or higher levels of care. Your focus will be to deliver comprehensive, guest-centered support services that promote housing stability, behavioral health stability, and individual resilience.

You will regularly conduct housing and benefits needs assessments, complete required screenings, and collaborate with guests to develop and implement Individualized Service Plans (ISPs) focused on housing outcomes. Your impact will be felt through your ongoing, non-clinical support by monitoring progress toward ISP goals, addressing barriers to housing and benefit access, and coordinating referrals to housing programs, mainstream benefits, and community-based services.

You will get to center trauma-informed, strengths-based, and recovery-oriented peer support practices as you facilitate intensive housing stability support to guests with extended shelter stays, prioritizing individuals experiencing chronic homelessness or other vulnerabilities. In this work, you will offer consistent engagement, follow-up, and system navigation support. You will work to facilitate warm handoffs to community partners and ensure continuity of care through accurate documentation and collaboration with shelter operations staff and service providers.

• Champion trauma-informed, recovery-oriented peer support practices to build trust and resilience among shelter guests navigating housing and behavioral health challenges.
• Serve as a critical link between guests and community resources , ensuring warm handoffs and seamless coordination with housing providers, landlords, and service partners.
• Drive housing stability through advocacy and problem-solving , addressing crises, resolving landlord conflicts, and removing barriers to permanent housing.
• Maintain program integrity and accountability by ensuring compliance with eligibility criteria, documenting outcomes, and contributing to performance reporting and quality standards.
• Engage in community outreach and travel to meet with housing providers, landlords, and partner agencies, strengthening collaborative relationships and expanding resource networks.

WHAT MAKES YOU A GREAT CPSW?

• You are committed to trauma-informed, strengths-based, and recovery-oriented practices , using your lived experience to build trust and empower shelter guests.
• Proven experience in peer support and housing-focused case management , applying your knowledge of housing navigation, benefits coordination, and crisis intervention to help guests achieve stability.
• You excel in developing and monitoring Individualized Service Plans (ISPs) , guiding guests through housing applications, landlord coordination, and transitions within Rapid Rehousing and Transitional Housing programs.
• You are organized and detail-oriented , comfortable using electronic client management systems, ensuring accurate documentation, reporting and compliance with program standards.
• With your exceptional interpersonal and de-escalation skills , you are able to build rapport, mediate conflicts, manage crisis, and collaborate effectively in a high-acuity environment.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Certified Peer Support Worker (CPSW) certification.
• High School Diploma.
• Two (2) years of experience in case management.
• Valid driver's license in good standing, proof of insurance, and ability to travel locally as required.
• Experience working with individuals experiencing homelessness strongly preferred.

Ready to build better tomorrows? Apply today!

Chicanos Por La Causa, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer

CPLC knows it takes variety of thought, culture, background, and perspective to create a truly impactful workforce. As CPLC grows, we are seeking talented employees with varying backgrounds, cultures, perspectives, and experiences to support our innovation and creativity. CPLC commits to a continued focus on fair and just hiring, training, promotional practices, and policies. We work for real change and progress in equal opportunity recruitment, hiring, and advancement. Learn more by visiting

California Residents : Chicanos Por La Causa, Inc and its subsidiaries will consider qualified applicants with a criminal history pursuant to the California Fair Chance Act. Find out more about the Fair Chance Act by visiting the Civil Right's Department Fair Chance Act webpage.