Peer Specialist - White Plains Road Residence

Job Description

Job Description

Join The Doe Fund in our mission to move New Yorkers from homelessness to stable housing, lasting employment, and economic opportunity. Our flagship workforce development program, Ready, Willing & Able (RWA), operates across 660 transitional housing beds and combines housing and comprehensive supportive services with paid work training, career preparation, and occupational skills training. The Doe Fund’s innovative social enterprise model creates additional opportunities for New Yorkers to gain paid, hands-on experience while delivering essential services across the city, including supplemental sanitation, graffiti removal, and rain garden maintenance. We are also one of New York City’s largest nonprofit developers of permanent affordable and supportive housing, with more than 2,100 apartments in operation or development, creating safe, dignified homes with supportive services and spaces that foster community and connection. The Doe Fund has an annual operating budget of $88 million and a full-time staff of over 500, a significant portion of whom are graduates of our programs.

We are seeking a Peer Specialist for The Doe Fund's newest permanent supportive housing for homeless individuals living with HIV/AIDS. The housing program is designed to provide long-term residential care and twenty-four-hour supportive services in a community environment that maximizes residents' independence while ensuring their physical and emotional security and well-being. This 98-unit residence will provide housing for 49 individuals referred by the New York City HIV/AIDS Services Administration (HASA), and the remaining 49 units will be apartments for moderate-income households. 

The Peer Specialist is responsible for providing mentoring, advocacy, care coordination, support, and direct assistance with the activities of daily living to the residents using his/her personal life experience and knowledge of substance abuse and mental health treatment, along with an understanding of the HIV/AIDS population.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Assist residents with the activities of daily living, including maintenance of their unit
• Encourage residents to participate in the on-site services and recreational activities to help them achieve their goals
• Provide guidance on locating and utilizing community-based resources, as well as treatment providers, and escort to appointments as needed
• Escort and assist residents with securing and maintaining benefits
• Assist residents with rent payments and budgeting
• Provide resources on recreation and socialization activities
• Organize and lead recreational events
• Provide crisis intervention as needed and teach residents coping skills
• Assist with unit inspections
• Attend trainings and staff meetings to enhance the services provided to the residents
• Document activities in accordance with agency and funding standards
• Other duties as assigned

QUALIFICATIONS:

• High School Diploma or GED
• Lived experience related to homelessness, substance abuse, PLWHA, or other relatable lived experience 
• Two years of experience working with individuals with special needs as a Peer Specialist or Counselor
• Working knowledge of public benefits and community resources
• Sensitivity to community issues and needs
• Great interpersonal and communication skills, both oral and written
• Strong ethical standards, confidentiality, and personal integrity
• Computer proficiency (i.e., email, Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint)

Interested?

Submit your application for review.

Before you go, we want to assure you that we are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace reflective of individuals who share our mission and who want to join us in working on the cutting-edge of important social issues. 

We are an equal opportunity employer, and we highly encourage applications from candidates regardless of race, color, citizenship, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, veteran or reservist status, or any other category protected by federal, state, or local law.