Peer Support Specialist - House 20 Program

Description

Schedule: Full Time

Benefits: Approximate benefits package value: $21,000+

• Low-cost medical, dental, and vision coverage. Health savings account. 403b retirement plan with employer match (50% match up to 3%).
• Employee AssistanceProgram for all employees
• 33 paid days off: 11 observed paid holidays, 12 sick days, and 10 vacation days to start. Vacation increases to 12 days after 1 year, 15 days after 2 years, and more at 5 and 9 years of service.
  • Sick and vacation time accrue hourly per pay period.
• $50,000 in employer-paid life insurance; additional coverage available.
• $1,200 annual employer contribution to your Health Savings Account (paid quarterly).
• Employee Referral Program including cash bonuses and paid time off.

Volunteers of America, Utah provides community-supported paths for those who are vulnerable to improve their lives and increase their self-reliance. In alignment with our mission, VOA Utah encourages individuals with lived experience to apply. We recognize that a person’s life experiences can provide firsthand knowledge relevant to being successful in the work that we do.

The Geraldine E. King Women's Resource Center exists to meet the distinctive needs of women who are experiencing homelessness by providing shelter, case management, life skills training, and connection to community services and resources. The House 20 Team will serve 20 individuals identified as high utilizers of emergency shelter services. This group often struggles with severe mental health disorders, substance use challenges, or co-occurring conditions, contributing to prolonged shelter stays and housing instability.

The center recognizes and meets the needs of those at risk and homeless populations including single women; domestic violence victims; individuals with behavioral health disorders; individuals who are medically frail/terminally ill [and/or] those exiting prison or jail. All activities are undertaken with the ultimate goal of assisting all clients in obtaining housing. 

Under the direct supervision of the Client Services Supervisor, the Certified Peer Support Specialist provides individualized and group-based supportive to agency clients with the goals of 1) assisting clients to achieve or maintain stability and independence; 2) providing assistance accessing resources to help clients meet their housing and other needs; and 3) providing expertise about the recovery process and symptom management. 

The House 20 Peer Support will serve 20 unduplicated individuals during the contract term. Outcomes include at least 3 to 5 placements into permanent supportive housing, stabilizing housing for high-barrier individuals, and connecting them to long-term behavioral health teams for ongoing support. 

House 20 CPSS will provide support and services to program participants using a person-centered, housing first and trauma-informed approach. We promote and provide harm reduction services as needed, and we are seeking individuals who can engage in open, honest and non-judgmental conversations around this. The objective of this position is to provide Housing First and client-driven case management services to the individual participating in the House 20 program. Above all else, CPSS seeks to assist clients in achieving stability in housing by connecting them with the resources they need to become more self-sufficient. 

Essential Duties 

• Assist clients in developing goals/service plan that will help them overcome homelessness, identify and address barriers to housing. 
• The Geraldine E. King Women’s Resource Center will provide peer support, and connection to behavioral health services for adults experiencing homelessness in Salt Lake City. Eligible activities include: 
• Proactive engagement and rapport-building 
• Peer support will work closely with case management services for housing, medical care, and benefit acquisition. 
• Behavioral health support, including connecting to therapy and crisis planning. 
• Certified peer support services to assist individuals in life skills and community building 
• Outcomes include Housing retention support through landlord mediation. Reduced shelter use among high-barrier individuals. Increased housing placement rates. Enhanced engagement with behavioral health services. 
• Participate in regularly scheduled case review to ensure appropriate case/service planning and referral of clients to the most appropriate service provider. 
• Provide direct, Trauma Informed Care peer support services to clients, including crisis intervention, outreach, ongoing assessments (i.e. VI-SPDAT, SPDAT, HAST, Lethality Assessment etc.), goal setting, creative problem solving, agency and community resource utilization, and network building. 
• Identify priority needs, (i.e. pregnant, IV/IM drug user, dual diagnosis, and other medical conditions) and coordinate services as needed. 
• Attend weekly staff/clinical staffing meetings and other meetings as assigned. 
• Assist in resolving conflicts utilizing de-escalation skills and trauma informed practices. Also provides immediate and professional response to any security /safety emergency or disturbance within or immediately outside facility following appropriate policies and procedures. 

Secondary Duties 

Certification in Utah as a Peer Support Specialist is required and work experience with adults with severe and persistent mental illness and substance use disorders or any combination of education, experience, and training which provides the following knowledge, skills, and abilities:

• Keep records, case management notes, and statistical data as required and participate in research and/or special projects as needed. 
• Evaluate own performance to increase effectiveness as a CPSS. 
• Use agency vehicles to provide transportation. 
• Attend work on a punctual, regular, and predictable basis. 
• Attend work as scheduled on a regular and predictable basis and arrive at the designated time. 
• Work must be performed on-site due to the need to provide direct client care. 
• Utilize the agency mission and applicable licensing and contract requirements to guide daily operations and program development.
• Maintain strong community relationships to support and sustain program implementation.
• Hire, train, supervise, and evaluate direct reports; provide ongoing performance feedback and support.
• Monitor and support the implementation of evidence-based prevention and mentoring programs.
• Lead outreach, recruitment, and retention efforts for program participants.
• Provide supervision to direct reports through regular team meetings, one-on-one check-ins, performance evaluations, and support with disciplinary processes when necessary.
• Manage and monitor program budgets; attend monthly budget meetings and assist with budget planning.
• Ensure timely and accurate program documentation, data collection, and outcome tracking.
• Coordinate compliance with grant and contract requirements across program activities.
• Develop and maintain partnerships with school districts and community organizations to expand program delivery.

Requirements

Qualifications

A degree in the field of social services and two years’ experience working in the social services field or any combination of education, experience, and training which provides the following knowledge, skills and abilities: 

• Must qualify for and pass Utah Department of Human Services Case Management Certification within 60 days of being hired. 
• Familiarity with Trauma Informed Care, Motivational Interviewing and Housing First philosophies and willingness to incorporate them into daily work. 
• Ability to uphold professional boundaries, confidentiality regulations, and interact professionally with a diverse workforce, clients, and the public. 
• Able to communicate effectively and handle difficult situations with professionalism and compassion. 
• Ability to utilize trauma-informed practices to act and make sound decisions within the scope of position responsibilities, as well as reach out for supervision for major situations. 
• Willingness to accept supervision and direction. Be a team player with strong interpersonal skills. Be dependable, reliable, self-starter, and self-directed. 
• Must be at least 21 years of age, possess a current driver’s license and have a good driving record.
• Must be able to pass Utah DHHS background check for those working with vulnerable populations.
• Must be able to pass pre-employment drug test.

Physical Demands

• Ability to lift and carry 25 lbs. 
• Ability to move around the facility, interacting with clients for extended periods.
• Work is generally performed in an office environment. May entail using a computer for extended periods of time.