WHAT YOU WILL DO:  Peer Support Specialist provides field-based outreach and engagement with individuals experiencing homelessness. The Peer Support Outreach Specialist will provide outreach and short-term case management to locations identified in the City of Carlsbad Encampment Resolution Program, in order to direct individuals experiencing homelessness to housing, health, and other supportive services. The position will attend and support case conferencing and ensure that participants with ongoing treatment needs are successfully connected with appropriate community-based treatment programs. The position will interact closely with the interdepartmental treatment team of behavioral health clinicians, clients, associate clinicians, interns, community partners, program leadership and staff.

• Able to maintain a 40 hour work week, with some flexibility as needed for weekends/evenings to support ethical management of case load or crisis scenarios. 
• Spend 50-75% of weekly working hours re-engaging and providing case management to Participants previously encountered.
• Maintain a minimum caseload of 10 Participants and a maximum caseload of 25 Participants at any given time. Ensure at least 60% of Participants on the caseload are actively working on activities or goals that directly assist the Participant in progressing toward housing.
• Work collaboratively with Carlsbad City staff and partners to identify Participants in need of homeless services. Make and receive referrals from City staff and partners.
• Adhere to standards of practice outlined by Regional Task Force of the Homeless.
• Abide by strategies set forth in City's Homelessness Action Plan and any amendments thereto, which takes a community focused and collaborative approach to addressing the needs of those experiencing or at-risk of homelessness within the City of Carlsbad. This plan can be found at Homelessness Action Plan | Carlsbad, CA (carlsbadca.gov).
• Support Participant access to shelter network, while continuing to support participant case management goal progress.
• Ensures that clients with ongoing treatment needs are successfully connected with appropriate community-based treatment programs.
• Conducts outreach and engages in case management to appropriate assessment, creation of Individualized service plan in order to identify and link to stabilizing resources (e.g. mental health, medical, substance abuse, income, basic needs) in order to support the ability to attain and sustain long term permanent housing.
• Screen Participants and complete assessments when appropriate to link to housing resources through Coordinated Entry System (CES). Provide ongoing follow-up and Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) updates to maintain Participants on the Coordinated Entry Community Queue.
• Develops trusting relationships, modeling and prompting appropriate boundaries with individuals, couples and families experiencing homelessness.
• Utilizes motivational interviewing techniques to understand, assess, and shift the individual’s stage of change
• Completes accurate and thorough documentation in a timely manner for each program participant, and provides required reports.
• Enters all participants into data bases as required for documentation and to maintain individual’s engagement in the CoC information system to support housing placement.
• Seeks out and develops knowledge regarding best practices including homeless outreach standards identified within the San Diego County CoC.
• Participates in case conferencing meetings, staff meetings, trainings, conferences, collaborative community meetings program evaluation, and program development.
• Performs additional duties as assigned

EXPERIENCE / EDUCATION

• Bachelor’s Degree in social services or related field; or equivalent combination of education and experience in case management related experience preferred
• 1 years of relevant work experience required 
• Lived experience of mental health, substance use disorder or homelessness preferred 
• Experience working with severely mentally ill, medically fragile, and homeless populations preferred
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) preferred

EMPLOYMENT BENEFITS

• Paid Time Off – Three weeks to start!
• Paid Holidays – 13 scheduled
• Flexible Work Schedules
• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• AD&D / Group Life Insurance
• Flexible Spending Accounts – Medical and Dependent Care
• Matched 401(k) Retirement Plan
• Early Release Days!
• Work Anniversary Bonuses
• Tuition Reimbursement and Public Service Loan Forgiveness Eligibility
• Employee Assistance Plan (EAP)
• Home Ownership Assistance Program
• Casual Work Environment
• Professional Growth and Career Development Opportunities

Interfaith is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants will be considered without regard to age, race, creed, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, pregnancy, marital status, affectional or sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, disability, nationality, sex, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. In addition, Interfaith will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities.