Peer Support Specialist

Agency Description Nevada Partnership for Homeless Youth (NPHY) is the most comprehensive service provider for the thousands of young people experiencing homelessness in Southern Nevada, serving hundreds of youth through our core programs and touching the lives of thousands more through outreach each year. NPHY's programs stabilize homeless teens' lives, meeting their immediate needs and providing a safe, supportive environment and a path to self-sufficiency. Strengthening and complementing our high-quality direct services, NPHY is dedicated to advocating for this population and serves as a leader in systems-level efforts to eliminate homelessness among all Nevada’s youth. Agency Culture NPHY offers a positive, mission-driven work environment: we encourage each staff member to cultivate their unique talents and training and come together as a strong, synergistic team to better serve homeless young people. While working in a challenging yet rewarding field, you will be surrounded by compassionate, energetic, fun, happy, and friendly staff members who are like-minded and love what they do. In addition to everyday interactions with youth, NPHY offers countless opportunities for youth and staff to experience new and fun things together to help the NPHY family create stronger bonds and model positive relationships and healthy boundaries with the young people we serve. NPHY also offers quarterly training to better equip our staff with up-to-date continuing education, skills, and resources to best serve and respond to a wide array of situations and needs. NPHY doesn’t just accept diversity—we celebrate it, support it, and thrive on it for the benefit of our employees, clients, programs, and community. NPHY is proud to be an Equal Opportunity workplace and is dedicated to maintaining a welcoming, respectful, and supportive workplace where every employee, volunteer, and client feels valued. We seek to build a team that reflects the communities we serve and the young people whose lives we aim to change for the better. Learn more about NPHY at nphy.org. Position Definition Nevada Partnership for Homeless Youth is seeking an enthusiastic and driven Peer Support Specialist (PSS). Peer support is a strength-based, trauma-informed process of giving and receiving non-judgmental assistance to support youth in achieving long-term recovery, self-sufficiency, housing stability, and overall well-being. Peer support is grounded in lived experience and focuses on mentorship, empowerment, and the development of skills needed for independent living and sustained success. Reporting to NPHY's Therapist, this position will facilitate substance use recovery groups, drug education and prevention classes, and life skills workshops at the NPHY Drop-In Center (DIC) and across housing programs. The Peer Support Specialist will also provide individualized mentorship and support to youth, promoting recovery, personal growth, and housing stability. This role includes working collaboratively with internal teams and community partners to enhance access to care, strengthen referral pathways, and ensure youth receive comprehensive, coordinated services. This position will provide services to young adults, ages 12–24, with an awareness of, sensitivity to, and respect for diversity of culture, ethnicity, gender identity, physical and mental abilities, sexual orientation, race, and spirituality or religion. Essential Responsibilities Provide individualized, trauma-informed mentorship and peer support, serving as a role model, motivator, and advocate for youth. Facilitate substance use recovery groups, drug education, and prevention classes for youth across NPHY programs. Support youth in achieving and maintaining recovery goals, including harm reduction, relapse prevention, and overall well-being. Assist youth with housing navigation and stabilization, including housing search, move-in preparation, understanding lease responsibilities, and maintaining stable housing. Facilitate engagement through focus groups, recreational activities, and social events that promote peer connection and positive youth development. Work collaboratively with Case Managers and the Therapist to support service plan goals, reinforce accountability, and ensure coordinated care. Serve as a communication link between youth, Therapist, and Case Managers to support consistent and youth-centered service delivery. Support youth in developing & facilitating life skills groups including education, employment, household management, communication, conflict resolution, and emotional regulation. Accompany youth to appointments and community activities as needed, modeling independent living skills and increasing connection to community resources. Build and maintain relationships with community partners, including behavioral health providers, housing resources, and support services, to expand referral options. Connect youth to community resources and assist in developing and maintaining a comprehensive youth resource guide. Promote and model trauma-informed, inclusive, and LGBTQ+-affirming practices within all interactions and programming. Maintain effective communication and collaboration with internal teams and external partners. Participate in staff meetings, trainings, and clinical consultation with Therapist, preparing updates on youth engagement and progress. Maintain accurate, timely documentation, including case notes and HMIS entries, ensuring all services are recorded by end of shift. Assist with program activities, special events, and agency-required meetings as needed. Carry out other duties as assigned by the Therapist and Chief of Programs. Requirements High School Diploma or equivalent preferred. Must be 21 years of age or older. Lived experience with recovery, homelessness, housing instability, or system navigation strongly preferred. Must be in recovery from addiction for at least two years. Ability to complete Peer Support Specialist training and certification (may be completed during employment) required. Experience working with homelessness, substance abuse, mental health and/or trauma-informed settings preferred. Knowledge of trauma-informed care, harm-reduction, and strengths-based approaches. Must have experience, understanding, and comfort working with diverse populations and issues specific to young adults. Knowledge of LGBTQ+ community and commitment to affirming practices. Strong engagement, mentorship, and interpersonal skills with the ability to build trusting relationships. Ability to maintain high professional and ethical standards, appropriate boundaries, and confidentiality. Knowledge of Office Suite programs (Word, Excel), internet, and web-based email, as well as software and technology typically found in the workplace. Must have a valid driver’s license and clear driving history; use of personal vehicle required with mileage reimbursement. Must be able to arrive on time and be prepared for all scheduled shifts and events. Qualifications Commitment to NPHY's mission to provide high-quality, evidence-based services to Nevada’s homeless youth. Strong customer service and interpersonal skills, with the ability to communicate effectively with diverse populations. Ability to work in a fast-paced environment while remaining organized and detail-oriented. Strong initiative and self-direction, balanced with the ability to work collaboratively on a team. Knowledge of confidentiality laws and ability to maintain client privacy. Competence in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel), email, internet use, and general workplace technology. Physical ability to walk, stand for long periods, lift and carry up to 40 lbs., and perform standard office tasks. Knowledge of youth homelessness issues, youth development, or local community resources is a plus. Benefits NPHY offers a competitive benefits program including three weeks Paid Personal Leave (PPL) in your first year of employment and fourteen paid holidays per year. NPHY offers a unique benefit to all full-time employees in the form of a Health And Personal Investment (HAPI) reimbursement of $50 per month. NPHY also offers fully paid employee medical, dental, vision, and life insurance plans. Other employee-paid voluntary insurance plans are available including short-term and long-term disability. Employees can also participate in a 403(b) Thrift retirement plan with up to 3.5% employer match. #J-18808-Ljbffr NPHY