Housing Navigator/Peer Support Specialist (TPSS Program)

POSITION TITLE: Housing Navigator / Peer Support Specialist

DEPARTMENT: TPSS

REPORTS TO: Program Director/Program Manager/Regional Lead

BENEFITS: Alpha Project offers a generous benefits package, including 14 paid holidays, paid vacation, sick leave, and 100% employer-paid medical, dental, vision premiums, and group life insurance.

FLSA: Full-time and Non-Exempt

PAY RANGE: $24-$26 hourly, commensurate with experience

POSITION SUMMARY

The TPSS Housing Navigator/Peer Specialist, under the direct supervision of the Program Director, Program Manager, and Regional Lead provides services to clients accessing one of the six HHSA Regions. The Housing Navigator/Peer Specialist is responsible for a full caseload, providing housing identification, case management, support services to clients, and if qualified, peer support.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Performs intake interviews, assessments and refers clients to appropriate community resources, as needed.
• Work with clients to identify and overcome barriers to securing housing and increasing income.
• Assist clients with obtaining and completing necessary documents to access housing, benefits, or increasing income.
• Provide peer support to clients.
• Maintains prompt documentation using HMIS, following agency and best standard practices.
• Assesses the client's needs, and arranges, coordinates, monitors, evaluates, and advocates for a variety of services to meet those complex needs.
• Assists with transportation and moving clients into their residence, and assists with securing furniture, supplies, and other housing essentials.
• Addresses unanticipated client/resident needs/issues as they arise.
• Participates as a member of a multi-disciplinary team that reviews client cases and develops action plans that meet the individual needs of each client.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Please note that this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities required of the employee for this job.

WORK ENVIRONMENT & PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands/conditions described below represent those that must be met/tolerated by an employee to perform the essential functions of this job successfully. Reasonable accommodations may enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.

• Sitting at a desk for sometimes long and continuous periods;
• Answering or making calls on the telephone for sometimes long and continuous periods;
• Using a keyboard to perform to communicate through written means for sometimes long and continuous periods;
• Looking at a computer monitor for sometimes long and continuous periods;
• Frequent standing, walking, reaching, lifting, and stooping;
• Exposure to moderate to loud noise levels;
• Possible contact with onsite animals/pets; and
• Potential for exposure to bodily fluids.

QUALIFICATIONS

Candidates must demonstrate the ability to follow policies and procedures established in the Company's Employee Handbook and relevant funders policies and procedures. Candidates will also contribute to a positive work environment by behaving and communicating in a manner such that they get along with all constituent groups, co-workers, and management. In addition, the education, experience, and other skills listed below represent the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.

Experience and Education

• Two (2) years' experience in case management working with vulnerable populations and/or in mental health settings, preferred.
• Bachelor's degree in social work, psychology, counseling, or a related field, preferred.
• Individuals with lived experience are strongly encouraged to apply.

Key Skills

• Ability to communicate in person and over the phone, required.
• Ability to drive throughout San Diego County, required.
• Valid Driver's License, required.
• Must have a clean driving record, required.
• The ability to adhere to policies and procedures, required.
• Understanding of confidentiality protocols and protecting personal information, required.
• Effectively problem-solve and maintain composure in high-pressure situations, required.
• Ability to work independently with minimal daily supervision, required.
• Knowledge of the utilized practices, including Housing First, Trauma-Informed Care, Motivational Interviewing, and Harm-Reduction, preferred.
• Completion of RI International's Peer Employment Training (PET), preferred.
• Bilingual speaker, preferred.

EQUIPMENT & APPLICATIONS

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, including Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint, required.
• Working knowledge of all standard office equipment, required.
• Experience with principles and practices of data collection, data privacy, report preparation, and HMIS, required.

Alpha Project for the Homeless provides equal employment opportunity to all individuals regardless of their race, color, creed, religion, gender, age, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by state, federal, or local law.

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