What are the responsibilities and job description for the TRC - Veteran Peer to Peer Specialist position at The Resource Center?
The Resource Center has been providing services to persons with disabilities in the Chautauqua County area since 1958. From our humble beginnings as a gathering of parents and concerned citizens who wanted to provide educational and training opportunities for persons with developmental and intellectual disabilities, The Resource Center has grown into a comprehensive agency providing services to thousands of persons with all types and levels of disabilities.
The Resource Center is the largest non-governmental employer in Chautauqua County with more than 1,300 employees on its payroll.
The mission of The Resource Center is to support individuals with disabilities and other challenges in achieving maximum independence, contributing to their community, experiencing lifelong growth, and enjoying quality of life.
VETERAN PEER TO PEER SPECIALIST (VPSS) – JOB DESCRIPTION
RESPONSIBLE TO: Fox Program Director
FUNCTION:
Veteran Peer Support Specialist (VPSS) plays a crucial role in supporting fellow veterans as they reintegrate into civilian life. This role is essential in fostering a supportive community for veterans, helping them navigate post-service life with confidence and connection. The VPSS is responsible for assisting Veterans with integrating back into their community by connecting them with programs and services that will accomplish holistic warrior care. Provide emotional support and referrals for Veterans who are going through a crisis or problematic situation. Function as a positive role model for all Veterans.
A Veterans peer specialist provides non-clinical, suicide-prevention-focused support to at-risk Veterans by using their own lived experience to guide, mentor, and connect participants to resources. This role matters because Peer support dramatically increases engagement and trust—critical in suicide-prevention work.
REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
Must possess the ability to demonstrate compassion while maintaining appropriate professional conduct boundaries. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills. The ability to network, form and maintain positive relationships within the community; motivate others; demonstrate leadership skills; and analyze issues and suggest resolutions. Basic computer literacy and proficiency using Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and willingness to learn how to new software programs as needed. Strong organizational, prioritization skills; and attention to detail are key skills required in this role.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
An equivalent combination of relevant training and experience. Military service sufficient to understand the military culture is required. Combat experience preferred.
DUTIES
1. Badge Access (Assigned location)
2. E-mail (Internal account)
3. Shared Drive
4. Time and Attendance System
5. Training Management System
The Resource Center is an equal employment opportunity employer and will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, marital status, citizenship status, military status, domestic violence status, predisposing genetic characteristics or genetic information, physical or mental disability, any other category protected by law, or any other non-job related characteristic. As needed, The Resource Center will provide reasonable accommodations for disabilities to employees and applicants whenever such accommodation would not create an undue hardship or a safety concern in the conduct of TRC’s operations.
The Resource Center is the largest non-governmental employer in Chautauqua County with more than 1,300 employees on its payroll.
The mission of The Resource Center is to support individuals with disabilities and other challenges in achieving maximum independence, contributing to their community, experiencing lifelong growth, and enjoying quality of life.
VETERAN PEER TO PEER SPECIALIST (VPSS) – JOB DESCRIPTION
RESPONSIBLE TO: Fox Program Director
FUNCTION:
Veteran Peer Support Specialist (VPSS) plays a crucial role in supporting fellow veterans as they reintegrate into civilian life. This role is essential in fostering a supportive community for veterans, helping them navigate post-service life with confidence and connection. The VPSS is responsible for assisting Veterans with integrating back into their community by connecting them with programs and services that will accomplish holistic warrior care. Provide emotional support and referrals for Veterans who are going through a crisis or problematic situation. Function as a positive role model for all Veterans.
A Veterans peer specialist provides non-clinical, suicide-prevention-focused support to at-risk Veterans by using their own lived experience to guide, mentor, and connect participants to resources. This role matters because Peer support dramatically increases engagement and trust—critical in suicide-prevention work.
REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
Must possess the ability to demonstrate compassion while maintaining appropriate professional conduct boundaries. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills. The ability to network, form and maintain positive relationships within the community; motivate others; demonstrate leadership skills; and analyze issues and suggest resolutions. Basic computer literacy and proficiency using Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and willingness to learn how to new software programs as needed. Strong organizational, prioritization skills; and attention to detail are key skills required in this role.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
An equivalent combination of relevant training and experience. Military service sufficient to understand the military culture is required. Combat experience preferred.
DUTIES
- Provides lived-experience support and engagement.
- Assists with outreach, follow-ups, and group activities.
- Helps veterans navigate community resources.
- Supports safety planning and early-warning monitoring.
- Provide peer-to-peer support to veterans facing challenges such as PTSD and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI).
- Engage veterans and their families through individual mentorship and group facilitation.
- Offer emotional support, guidance, and referrals to community resources.
- Assist veterans in employment searches and housing stability.
- Represent the Project at community events and outreach programs.
- Maintain accurate reports on mentorship activities and veteran engagement.
- Promote holistic wellness through various programs, including mental health support and social reintegration.
- Respond promptly and with compassion and understanding to inquiries from Veterans.
- Answer Veteran/client questions, including researching information to provide complete and accurate responses when necessary.
- Search out and identify potential resources this could include, but not be limited to community, state, federal, health, and social resources.
- Attend and actively participate in departmental and organizational meetings.
- Promote teamwork by communicating regularly and effectively with program Director.
- Complete all training as required and assigned
- All other duties as assigned
1. Badge Access (Assigned location)
2. E-mail (Internal account)
3. Shared Drive
4. Time and Attendance System
5. Training Management System
The Resource Center is an equal employment opportunity employer and will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, marital status, citizenship status, military status, domestic violence status, predisposing genetic characteristics or genetic information, physical or mental disability, any other category protected by law, or any other non-job related characteristic. As needed, The Resource Center will provide reasonable accommodations for disabilities to employees and applicants whenever such accommodation would not create an undue hardship or a safety concern in the conduct of TRC’s operations.
Salary : $25