Certified Peer Support Specialist

Union of Pan Asian Communities (UPAC); San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 30,000 - 33,000; Full time

Job summary

Union of Pan Asian Communities (UPAC) in San Diego is seeking a Certified Peer Support Specialist to provide outreach, engagement and direct services to people experiencing homelessness and those involved with the criminal justice system.

Under supervision, you will promote recovery and resiliency, connect clients to housing and supportive services, and document activities in compliance with county contracts and regulations.

Qualifications

• Active and current Peer Support Specialist Certification.
• At least one year of recovery from lived experience with justice involvement, homelessness, or behavioral health challenges.
• Ability to establish supportive relationships with people from diverse backgrounds.
• Willingness to share personal experiences navigating justice system or homelessness.

Responsibilities

• Provide outreach and engagement to PEH and justice-involved individuals.
• Deliver direct services and promote recovery and resiliency.
• Offer transportation support and accompany clients to appointments.
• Connect clients to housing, health, and social services.
• Conduct street outreach to promote program services.
• Maintain confidentiality and document in compliance with agency/state/county requirements.
• Complete timely reporting to meet program goals and objectives.
• Ensure work complies with County of San Diego regulations.

Skills

Motivational interviewing

Relationship building

Cultural competence

Communication skills

Trauma-informed approach

Education

Active Peer Support Specialist Certification

Tools

Driver's license (California)

Job description

Position Title:

Certified Peer Support Specialist

Program:

Alternatives to Incarceration

Classification

Non-exempt, Full Time

Salary

$22-$24 per hour

Summary and Range of Authority:

Under the supervision of the Program Manager, the Peer Support Specialist (PSS) will provide outreach and engagement, deliver direct services, promote recovery and resiliency for persons experiencing homelessness (PEH) and involvement within the criminal justice system.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Inspire clients towards recovery and resiliency by being a compassionate and effective role model utilizing motivational interviewing, coaching, trauma informed model and housing first language.
• Provides a message of hope, empowerment, and self-efficacy by being a supportive person for the PEH.
• Provide direct services in the community including advocacy, transportation support, accompaniment to appointments and support expanding social interactions and networks.
• Connect clients to supportive services for participants to address safety, health, social and material needs.
• Conduct effective street outreach to promote program services as assigned.
• Provide culturally competent services, work well with people involved with the criminal justice system, TAY, PEH, immigrants, refugees, and other culturally diverse participants.
• Complete special projects in a timely manner, and able to maintain strict confidentiality, with regard to sensitive or proprietary information or materials.
• Provide documentation compliant to agency, state and county requirements in a timely manner.
• Complete assigned work timely and effectively for the program to meet contracted annual performance goals and objectives.
• Provide all other related services required by county contract’s Statement of Work.
• All the duties and responsibilities shall be delivered in compliance with County of San Diego and other relevant regulations.

Required Education, Certifications/Licenses and Language/Cultural Skills:

Active and current Peer Support Specialist Certification.

Minimum Experience and Qualifications Required:

• Due to County requirements, must have at least one year off of parole or probation.
• Have a minimum of one year of recovery from lived experience with justice system involvement, homelessness, and/or behavioral health diagnosis.
• Ability to establish and maintain supportive relationships with people from diverse cultural backgrounds.
• Must be open and able to appropriately share their own experiences navigating the justice system, behavioral health services, or homelessness personally.
• Must have certified First Aid and CPR training (including infant CPR).
• Must be able to drive (when needed) for business purposes to other program locations in San Diego County. If employee drives his/her personal automobile for UPAC business, employee must have valid California driver’s license and comprehensive automobile insurance coverage, as required by law.

Additional Preferred Education or Qualifications:

• Bilingual, bicultural experience in one of the County of San Diego threshold languages (Spanish, Arabic, Chinese (Mandarin), Korean, Persian, Somali, Filipino (Tagalog), Vietnamese).

Physical Demands and Work Environment:

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. Spends approximately 70% of work time sitting and meeting with others or working at a desk and/or computer. Spends approximately 30% of work time standing or walking within the work area or outside the office at meetings and events, also bends, twists, stoops and reaches. Ability to communicate in writing and verbally. Regularly required to sit, bend, talk and hear. Frequently is required to use hands to touch, handle or feel and reach with hands and arms. Occasionally lifts and/or moves up to 25 pounds. Working conditions are normal for an office environment and event venues. The noise level is usually moderate.