Bilingual Peer Support Specialist

Center; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 32,000 - 33,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) Retirement Plan (with company  

Full Medical, Dental, Vision, and Chri

Chiropractic Health Coverage

Generous Vacation and Holidays

Professional Training & Development

Promotion Opportunities

Job summary

The Center in San Diego is seeking a Peer Support Specialist to help participants achieve housing stability through trauma-informed, wrap-around services. You will work on-site with a dedicated team and engage clients using lived experience to support engagement and retention.

Responsibilities include assessments, mentoring, and coordinating access to external services, with focus on English and Spanish-speaking participants in a compassionate, goal-oriented environment.

Qualifications

• Fluency in English and Spanish required; experience with housing instability or homeless populations is preferred.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks with shifting priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Comfortable using PC/Windows-based systems and standard office software.
• Knowledge of trauma-informed, strength-based care approaches.
• Must have reliable transportation and a valid driver’s license with auto insurance.

Responsibilities

• Provide program assistance and crisis support to participants in LGBTQ housing services.
• Conduct assessments using VI-SPDAT to determine participant needs and priority for services.
• Mentor program participants and promote empowerment and hope.
• Accompany clients to appointments and connect them with external services that support well-being.
• Maintain accurate records of goals, needs, and progress in internal systems.

Skills

Bilingual English/Spanish

Crisis intervention

Client engagement

Empathy and mentorship

Tools

HMIS

VI-SPDAT

Job description

WELCOME TO YOUR CENTER!

Established as a community non-profit in 1972, The Center provides targeted programs and services to the full diversity of the San Diego LGBTQ community. The mission of The Center is to enhance and sustain the health and well-being of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, queer, transgender, nonbinary, immigrant, and HIV communities for the betterment of our entire San Diego region. Our vision is to create a Center and Center culture where every person feels and knows that they are welcomed, valued, and supported. As the beacon for our regional LGBTQ community, we actively recommit to being a more vibrant, bold, innovative, safe, and modern center each day than the day before. The Center is sex-positive and provides advocacy and critical health and social support services to support our community members through all stages of life, focusing on our deeply held values of equity, social justice, and client-centered, trauma-informed care. The Center currently has over 75 staff working at five facilities across San Diego County.

POSITION SUMMARY

Reporting to the Manager of Adult Housing Services, the Peer Support Specialist is responsible for providing program assistance, guidance, monitoring of participant progress, and crisis support for participants of The Center's expanding LGBTQ affirming wrap around and support services. The Peer Support Specialist works collaboratively with a team in a trauma-informed and goal-oriented way to help resolve the housing stability of program participants.

PRIMARY ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

Client Support:

• Utilize shared life experience expertise to advance client engagement and retention in services.
• Conduct assessments with clients experiencing housing instability, including Vulnerability Index-Service Prioritization Decision Assistance Tool (VI-SPDAT).
• Serve as a mentor to program participants and promote empowerment and hope.
• Provide ongoing support to clients and accompany them to appointments as needed.
• Guide clients in accessing external services that support their health and wellbeing.

Record Management and Reporting:

• Complete eligibility screening and intake forms.
• Maintain accurate documentation of client's goals and needs, case management plans, and service entries into internal data systems.
• Enter program data and outcomes into the region's Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) to adhere to grant and contract compliance.
• Document thorough case notes that accurately reflect client progress toward individualized case management goals.
• Assist in the completion of monthly narrative reports for funder reports.

Other Duties:

• Duties needed to help drive our vision, fulfill our mission, and abide by our organization's values.

Required Qualifications:

• Experience: Must have familiarity with life experiences common to people who have experienced housing instability.
• Language Skills: Fluency in English and Spanish is required.
• Computer/Office Equipment Skills: Must be comfortable working in PC/Windows-based environments.
• Other Qualifications:
  • Demonstrated ability to manage multiple tasks with shifting priorities.
  • Must demonstrate competence in using strength-based and trauma-informed care.
  • Reliable transportation, a valid driver's license, and auto insurance.

preferred QUALIFICATIONS:

• Experience: 1 year of experience working with people experiencing homelessness.
• Other Qualifications: Knowledgeable about current issues related to the LGBTQIA+ community and people experiencing homelessness.

WORK LOCATION:

• On-site, in the office, and with program participants in the field.
• Office in the Hillcrest Community in the City of San Diego.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS:

• Compensation: The pay range for this position is $23.00 - $24.35/hour and is commensurate with experience. This is a Full-Time, Regular Non-Exempt position.
• Benefits: The CENTER offers a robust benefits package, inclusive of Competitive Pay Scales, 401(k) Retirement Plan (with company match), Full Medical, Dental, Vision, and Chiropractic Health Coverage, Out-of-Pocket Optional Coverage for Spouses, Domestic Partners, and Dependent Children, Full-time and Part-Time Schedules, Generous Vacation and Holiday Benefits, Professional Training & Development Experiences, Opportunities for Promotion & Advancement

Equal Opportunity Employer

The San Diego LGBTQ Community Center is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.