Campus Pride Jobs

** A Peer Support Specialist leverages and models their individual lived experience of recovery from addiction and/or mental health concerns, along with skills in resiliency and training, to deliver supportive services in the Keys to Housing setting and promotes a holistic mind-body approach to recovery and resiliency among program participants. This role requires knowledge of homelessness, skills with support and advocacy, and provides connection to resources and treatment. The Peer Support Specialist embodies a positive spirit of recovery and resilience grounded in hope and optimism and facilitates program participant change through goal setting, education and skills building. The Keys to Housing Program provides supportive services to households with a housing resource and identified substance use history.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES Works in collaboration with Volunteers of America and the Continuum of Care to provide community resources for individuals experiencing homelessness, advocates for client housing needs, works to resolve system failures to overcome housing barriers. Peer Specialists initiate contact with program participants and connects individuals experiencing homelessness to services, including but not limited to housing resources, healthcare including Medicaid and behavioral health treatments, and public benefits including SSI/SSDI while utilizing meetings in community gathering places, coffee meetings, and other spaces as a part of the program intervention. Follows up with individuals/households post-housing to check-in on stability and recovery progress, assess for needs, and refers to further resources, as needed. Organizes and facilitates group activities to support community involvement, including but not limited to sober activities. Works independently, exercises good judgment and participates as a member of a multidisciplinary team. Demonstratable skills in operating computer programs (Word, Excel, databases), office equipment, and telephones. Travels to service locations, agency partners, and participant residences to conduct outreach and follow- up. Supports individuals in recovery with evidence-based practices associated with participant engagement and care. Coordinates with case managers, clinicians, therapists, and CABHI staff to foster positive outcomes in housing and behavioral health. Peers Support specialists are expected to collaborate with case managers and advocate alongside participants for unmet needs. Performs all other duties as assigned.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES: NA

Salary: $21.00-$23.00/hr

WORKING CONDITIONS AND PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS Travel throughout the program's service area is required on a regular basis. Must be able to work in diverse and, at times, uncomfortable environments such as homeless shelters, service facilities, streets, offices, and all other locations as necessary to fulfill program objectives.

POSITION TYPE AND EXPECTED HOURS OF WORK Full-Time or Part-Time as indicated in posting. Work hours may vary but are typically scheduled around a 40-hour workweek designed to fulfill program objectives with occasional overtime requirements.

LOCATION: VOA MISSION

Employee must be able to perform essential job functions with or without reasonable accommodation and without posing a direct threat to safety or health of self or others. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily. Employee will perform job according to applied laws. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. If you require a reasonable accommodation to perform this role, please contact HR@VOAColorado.org to begin the Interactive Process.

Benefit eligibility is based on job type/st tus Vacation Time Separate Sick Time Paid Holidays Floating Holidays Personal Days Volunteer/Wellness Day Tuition Assistance Pension Plan 403b Retirement Plan with Agency Match Health, Dental, Vision, Pet Insurances Life Insurance Accident Insurance Employee Assistance/Work Life Balance Program Employee Discount Program LifeLock with Norton Public Service Loan Forgiveness

Volunteers of America is an EEO/AA Employer