School District of Philadelphia (SDP) Thrive Identification and Outreach Project

Certified Peer Specialist

Classification: Full-Time/Exempt

Reports to: Supervisor

JOB DESCRIPTION

About HopePHL™

People’s Emergency Center (PEC) and Youth Service, Inc. (YSI) have merged to achieve greater impact. Together we will be known as HopePHL™ starting in January 2023. HopePHL inspires Philadelphia's children, youth, families and communities to thrive by providing housing, advocacy, and trauma-responsive social services designed to promote equity, resilience, autonomy, and well-being. We are looking for vibrant and compassionate people to join our team! Learn more at www.hopephl.org.

Summary:

The SDP Thrive Identification and Outreach Project aims to increase the identification and support for students and their families who are McKinney-Vento eligible (i.e. experiencing homelessness, housing insecurity, in transition) in selected SDP schools and charters. The Youth Certified Peer Specialist is responsible for providing trauma-informed peer outreach services designed to increase the identification and access to supports for students eligible for McKinney Vento services.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

· Identifying students/families who qualify under the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act and connecting them to community resources which have inclusive and self-affirming services.

· Working with counselors and other homeless liaisons to support students/families.

· Responsibility is to work collaboratively with schools, students, and families to provide supports to students and families experiencing socioeconomic and health stressors. Will also assist with the coordination and implementation of monthly family forums.

· Talking to students, student groups, parents groups, both inside and outside of the school environment.

· Provide peer mentorship to youth.

· Participate in training and development activities.

· Participate in weekly supervision.

· Work collaboratively with the team to provide support and guidance for the youth.

· Reports on activities, providing data to the team demonstrating tasks completed and not completed.

· Provide guidance for connecting with community resources and behavioral health as needed.

· Outreaching, engaging and connecting with community partners such as: food banks, laundromats, legal services, faith communities, motels, campgrounds, shelters, Boys and Girls clubs, LGBTQIA youth organizations, culturally-specific organizations, clinics serving low income families, public benefits offices, etc.

· Guiding students to apply to summer programs and other enrichment programs.

· Assistance in connecting students to internships or jobs.

· Distribution of flyers, brochures, and posters in the community where students and parents frequent, such as courts, motels, libraries, laundromats, grocery stores, and pharmacies.

· Conducts trainings in group and individual format on McKinney Vento eligibility.

Additional Qualifications:

· Must be a Certified Peer Specialist or open to being trained as a CPS.

· Knowledge of the complexity of poverty, homelessness, mental illness, trauma, substance abuse and the impact on individual and community health, willing to learn and enhance professional skills.

Competencies:

· Knowledge of healthy peer mentorship.

· Competent in providing trauma-informed care.

· Ability to maintain healthy boundaries.

· Skills in organizing and planning.

· Oral and written communication skills.

· Results Orientation skills.

· Ability to demonstrate cultural competencies and inclusivity.

· Team skills.

Preferred Education and Experience:

· Undergraduate degree, college courses completed.

· Child Development Associate Credential (CDA).

· Experience working within school systems.

Work Environment:

This job operates in a community environment. This role has access to the use of standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and fax machines.

Additional Eligibility Qualifications:

· Knowledge (first-hand or professional) of homelessness in the context of education

· Ability to identify resources needed by students and their families

· Familiarity with educational contexts

· Experience and comfort working with underserved urban communities and low-income families

· Knowledge of and commitment to serving students eligible for McKinney Vento supports (I.e., experiencing homelessness, housing insecurity)

· Ability to collect, record, present information and data in a professional manner

· Demonstrate leadership ability

· Demonstrated ability to work with landlords

· Ability to work under limited supervision

· Must be a determined and persistent advocate for students

Work Environment:

This job operates in a highly mobile environment in which the System Navigator will work in various settings (school, home, public meeting spaces). When needed, the Navigator uses common space at PEC for computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and fax machines. The Family Navigator needs use of a car.

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that much 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. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit, talk, and hear. The employee is occasionally required to walk, use hands and fingers to feel, handle, or operate objects or controls; and reach with hands and arms. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 30 pounds.

Other Duties:

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

PEC is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, and veteran or disability status.

Job Type: Full-time

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible schedule
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift

Education:

• High school or equivalent (Required)

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Philadelphia, PA 19104