TITLE: Peer Support Specialist
FLSA CLASSIFICATION: Non-Exempt
HOURS: Full-time
RESPONSIBLE TO: Nashville Director
DIRECT REPORTS: None
LOCATION: Nashville, TN
COMPENSATION: $20.00 per hour, paid bi-weekly
Mission
Depaul USA supports homeless and marginalized people, providing people experiencing homelessness with purpose and hope for a positive future. Our vision is that everyone has a place to call home and a stake in his or her community. In cities across the nation, we meet people where they are to address their needs. Through a combination of homelessness services and housing, Depaul USA is innovating and bringing real solutions to those facing homelessness.
Depaul USA is a growing, national, not-for-profit organization that serves more than 5,400 people annually and has a combined operating and capital budget in excess of $10 million. Our Vincentian values underpin what we do:
? We celebrate the potential of people;
? We put our words into action;
? We aim to take a wider role in civil society; and
? We believe in rights and responsibilities.
Please visit www.depaulusa.org to learn more.
At Depaul USA our goal is to support, promote, and thrive on diversity, equity, and inclusion. We do so for the benefit of our employees, participants, services, and community. Depaul USA is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace, and we are firmly committed to creating an equitable and inclusive environment for all employees. If you need reasonable accommodation in any part of the hiring process, please let us know.
Position Description
The Strobel Center operates on a 24/7 basis and provides accommodation and support to homeless men and women with disabilities. The Peer Support Specialist will demonstrate direct assistance, coordination of care, and linkage to the appropriate services while developing WRAPs for residents, and he/she will work closely with the Nashville Director, and Case Managers moving clients toward greater stability. The Peer Support Specialist is responsible for documenting case management notes, activities, progress, and recommendations as well as assisting clients to access referred services.
Primary Duties and Responsibilities
Essential Functions
? Works with caseload of 10-15 residents and assists residents to develop a Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP).
? Assists residents to identify personal goals and interests in relationship to recovery.
? Assists residents to recognize the early signs of relapse and how to implement the identified coping strategies or request help in order to avoid a crisis.
? In collaboration with other staff persons, cultivates residents? ability to make informed, independent choices and helps residents develop a network of positive personal and social support networks.
? Refers clients, based upon individual need, to substance abuse services and support groups, including but not limited to Dual Recovery Anonymous, Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous.
? Facilitate on-site weekly recovery support group. Develops group guidelines, curriculum and means for client feedback for group.
? Ensures that the practical needs of residents are met i.e. providing food, laundry, clean bedding, etc. Ensures a safe and secure environment and maintains high operational standards within the project.
? In collaboration with Case Managers, develops support plans for clients and records plans for case files.
? Participates in weekly staff meeting to update staff on client progress and areas for development. Coordinates work with other staff members.
? Maintain contact by phone and/or email with clients after departure from program to support in ongoing success for up to one year. Maintain record of contacts in aftercare case file.
? Works with other members of the staff while on shift and makes decisions consistent with project team.
? Conducts regular rounds of the building to ensure safety and health of all participants. Staffs front desk/reception to manage access to the building including monitoring of visitors.
? Meets basic needs of residents for food/meals and toiletries.
? Transitions pertinent information to other staff at the end of a shift.
? Shares responsibility in supporting volunteers.
Transitions pertinent information to other staff at the end of a shift.
Additional Tasks and Responsibilities
? Assists the project team in the preparation of reports, statistics and other papers which may be required by the Nashville Director.
? Conducts data entry and maintenance on a computerized monitoring system.
? Conducts tours of the facility for visitors and volunteers.
? Ensure all appropriate records and forms are completed by residents.
? Maintains all records of work necessary for the smooth running of the project.
? Build good working relationships with other projects and agencies.
? Stay informed of current local and national events, trends, and issues (wherever possible), that impact Depaul USA?s work with the homeless.
General Responsibilities
? Strive continuously to develop the role in collaboration with the supervisor to ensure that all tasks are being undertaken in an effective and appropriate manner, meeting the strategic goals and objectives of Depaul USA.
? Participate in internal/external meetings as required, attend training events, conferences, and other functions as necessary.
? Participate in regular supervision and annual evaluations, identifying his or her own developmental and training needs.
? Ensure adherence to all Depaul USA policies and procedures, particularly those relating to Health and Safety, Safeguarding and the Code of Practice and Confidentiality.
? Contribute to the effective implementation of Depaul USA?s Equal Opportunities Policy as it affects both the organization and its work with this client group.
? Undertake the role in a professional manner maintaining a high-quality standard of work, in accordance with the vision, mission and values of Depaul USA.
Qualifications
The ideal Peer Support Specialist will have experience working with individuals who have faced homelessness and struggled with issues of mental illness, cognitive disabilities, and addictions, as well people who are newly housed or employed. The Peer Support Specialist must either hold a Peer Support Specialist certification or be willing to obtain it within a designated timeframe. The Peer Support Specialist should possess the following:
? High school diploma or equivalent certification and at least one years? experience working with individuals experiencing homelessness.
? Must either hold a Peer Support Specialist certification or be willing to obtain it within a designated timeframe.
? Exceptional communication, multi?tasking, conflict management, and interpersonal skills.
? Strong computer skills with all Microsoft Office programs.
? Strong capacity for empathy and understanding, with a non-judgmental attitude.
? Ability to build rapport and trust with clients from diverse backgrounds.
Physical Demands
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions. In the course of performing the job, the person in this position typically spends time sitting, standing, climbing stairs, walking, driving, carrying (20lbs), lifting (20lbs), operating a computer keyboard, and making and receiving telephone calls. Subjected to outside environmental conditions.
Special Requirement
? Must possess a valid driver's license and comply with Depaul USA?s Motor Vehicle Policy during the course of employment. Additionally, occasional use of a personal vehicle may be necessary.
Work Schedule:
? Primarily in-person at the Strobel Center in Nashville, TN
? Monday-Friday, 7am - 4pm CST
Benefits:
? Medical, dental, and vision coverage options for the employee and eligible dependents.
? Company provided Basic Life/AD&D & Short/Long Term disability policies.
? 403(b) Retirement plan with employer match.
? Generous Vacation, Sick, and Personal leave and 10 Observed holidays.
Background Checks:
A background check (including a criminal records check) must be completed as part of the hiring process. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect application status or applicants? employment status.
Declaration:
This job description is intended to accurately reflect the duties, responsibilities, and requirements of the position. It is not intended to be and should not be construed as an all-inclusive list of all the responsibilities, skills, or working conditions associated with the position. Depaul USA and management reserves the right to modify, add, or remove duties and assign other duties as necessary.
Equal Opportunity Employment Statement
Depaul USA is an equal opportunity employer and affords equal opportunity to all applicants for all positions without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other status protected under local, state or federal laws.
Thank you for considering Depaul USA! To apply, please submit your resume.
Deadline: Until Filled
To Apply: https://jobs.appone.com/DepaulUSA