Description

SUMMARY

A Veteran Peer Navigator is a peer support advocate who assists individuals, specifically Veterans, with navigating the complex network of social services within the community. As a member of the Veteran Services Team, the Navigator is responsible for service coordination, resource navigation, and advocating for all Veterans residing on Haven for Hope’s North and South Campus. In collaboration with the team, the Veteran Peer Navigator provides additional support to Veterans to assist with their transition from homelessness to housing, as well as establishing skills and community support for long-term recovery and housing stability. The Navigator will support the Veterans in meeting their goals related to housing and income by providing guidance, encouragement, and mentorship. This position requires a high degree of creativity, collaboration skills, organization, and ability to adapt services for person centered approaches.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Establishes and develops appropriate client relationships of trust, hope and empowerment by sharing own lived experiences to facilitate achievement of consumers’ recovery goals.
• Supports clients in achieving a greater level of self-determination and gain the needed confidence to make the transition out of homelessness.
• Service coordination, including participation in the assessment of needs.
• Provides direct services and advocacy to support Veterans overall wellbeing and identified goals towards housing and stability.
• Contributes and collaborates with the veteran clients and the Veterans Program team as it relates to the formulation of comprehensive, person-centered service plans (Individualized Service Plans)
• Reviews and updates Individualized Service Plans as needed.
• Maintains knowledge of internal and external resources and processes, both veteran and non-veteran specific
• Assists clients in increasing skills and/or income in order to allow them to secure an income and live as independently as possible.
• Advocates for veteran clients regarding benefits and entitlements, when appropriate
• Encourages clients to connect to and remain connected with housing providers on Campus and in the community.
• Collaboration with community housing providers within and outside of the CoC
• Assists with referrals to clinical and behavioral services, when applicable
• Assists in client de-escalation and navigation of clinical resources when veteran clients are experiencing a life changing event or crisis.
• Maintains compliance with written and computerized records, compiles reports and completes other program documentation, to include case notes, data management, check requests and other fiscal processes, grant requirements.
• Participates in clinical supervision and in training opportunities to develop skills utilizing Motivational Interviewing, Trauma Informed Care, and Recovery Oriented Care.
• Participates in community resource fairs and community outreach.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

EDUCATION

• Minimum High School Diploma or GED.

EXPERIENCE

• Strong candidates will have at least two years of direct practice with individuals and/or families experiencing challenges related to homelessness, poverty, trauma, substance abuse, mental health, physical health, family relations, and access to resources. Direct practice experience to include interactions with community resources to meet diverse needs of clients. Experience in Veteran Affairs and or related service position.
• Shared Lived Experience with homelessness, navigating Veteran services, mental health and/or substance abuse challenges a plus.

KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS/ABILITIES 

• Commitment to Haven for Hope’s mission and guiding frameworks of service delivery (1) Trauma Informed Practice (2) Recovery Oriented Practice (3) Person Centered Practice (3) Motivational Interviewing (4) Harm Reduction.
• Patience, creativity, flexibility, compassion, and sensitivity to persons with disabilities and underserved populations
• Excellent communication skills, written and verbal, to represent Haven for Hope, recruit housing partners, and educate about how to support clients with histories of homelessness and traumas.
• Displays excellent administrative ability, to include organizational skills, attention to detail and strong computer skills.
• Self-directed and to takes initiative, which includes the ability to discern when to seek supervision.
• Effective creative and critical thinking skills, including the ability to analyze problems, identify alternative solutions, and project consequences of proposed actions.
• Ability to work collaboratively and be invested as a member of the Veterans Program Team.
• Able to engage with and sustain partner and client relationships.
• Capable of obtaining knowledge of local and Federal housing programs, as well as homeless services within the Bexar County area
• Familiarity with Federal and State Local Agencies involved in housing, and housing policy.
• Must have Texas Driver’s License and maintain approved driving status through employment.

MANAGERIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

This position has no direct managerial responsibilities.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS

Require a valid Texas Driver’s License, a good driving record, reliable transportation and proper insurance coverage on automobile used for work. Monthly reimbursement for applicable and documented work-related expenditures is provided. Travel within the city and its surrounding areas will be required (if applicable).

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 this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Standard physical activity such as periodic standing, walking, sitting, basic motor skills to access computer files for information or simple data entry. Expectation, if employed as a Peer Community Engagement Specialist, to become a Certified Peer Support Specialist (CPSS) within one year of employment.

WORK ENVIRONMENT.

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

BENEFITS

• Fully paid base employee medical coverage
• Fully paid short- and long-term disability coverage
• Fully paid base life insurance coverage
• Optional spouse, child, or family medical coverage
• Optional dental and vision coverage
• 403b Retirement Plan with 6% company match
• Up to 25 paid days off per year in first year (PTO eligibility increases as tenure rises)
• 12.5 company holidays