Housing Retention Peer Support Specialist

Paycom - ATS; Medford (OR); On-site; USD 37,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

ACCESS seeks a dedicated Peer Support Specialist to assist shelter and housing participants in setting and achieving goals, providing peer support, referrals, and wrap-around services. You will work with case managers and partners to overcome barriers and promote housing stability.

Responsibilities include maintaining records, attending partner meetings, and transporting participants as needed, with flexibility for severe weather activations and varied hours.

Qualifications

• Belief in ACCESS’s mission to provide food, warmth, and shelter.
• Minimum 1 year’s experience working in client facing role.
• Ability to lead others during severe weather activations.
• Ability to interact with diverse backgrounds with tact and courtesy.
• Peer Support Certification or ability to obtain within the first year.
• Use a trauma-informed communication delivery model with clients and staff.
• Ability to work flexible hours and adapt to changing conditions.
• Willingness to work in areas inhabited by unhoused persons and outdoors.

Responsibilities

• Identify needs of individuals and families through direct Peer Support activities.
• Make referrals and follow up on referrals to community resources.
• Maintain positive working relationships with service providers and partners.
• Keep complete client records and HMIS daily logs and reports.
• Transport participants in a company vehicle to appointments as needed.
• De-escalate situations and coordinate with security staff when required.
• Attend regular meetings with local partners to improve services.
• Lead at night or on weekends during severe weather activations.
• Support outreach and collaborate with supervisors to identify opportunities.

Skills

Client facing

Leadership

Trauma-informed care

Active listening

Microsoft Office

HMIS

Driver's license

Interpersonal skills

Tools

HMIS

Microsoft Office

Job description

Position SummaryThe main role of the Peer Support Specialist is to support program participants set, and achieve their goals while in shelter and housing programs. They will assist participants daily with applying for benefits and creating a plan that will help them move toward stabilization. The Peer Support Specialist will also work with other program case managers, other ACCESS staff members, and community partners as part of a multi-disciplinary team to help participants overcome barriers and access resources. This position will primarily focus on providing peer support, resources, and referrals to individuals and families already in ACCESS programs.Position Duties & ResponsibilitiesIdentify the needs of individuals and families through direct Peer Support activities.Make referrals and follow up on referrals to appropriate community resources.Establish and maintain positive working relationships with other service providers and community support providers, providing wrap-around services to assist this population towards housing stability.Participate in appropriate workshops, training, and meetings as requested.Daily maintain complete client records, case notes, daily activity logs, mileage logs, HMIS database, and other reports as requested.Take appropriate action to deal with any participant or potential participant emergency.Work with the Peer Support Supervisor, Outreach Manager, and Director to identify new opportunities for ACCESS program participants.Transport participants in a company vehicle to and from appointments as needed.Work closely with community partners to support participants' needs.De-escalate situations when they occur and work closely with Security and property staff to identify potentially dangerous situations/behavior.Work as a lead at night or on weekends when severe weather activations occur.Attend regular meetings with local community partners to help improve access to services for program participants.Conduct room inspections for the health and safety of participants.Utilize Microsoft Office and HMIS daily to track and maintain participant records.Position RequirementsBelief in ACCESS’s mission to provide food, warmth, and shelter.Minimum 1 year’s experience working in client facing roleAbility to lead others in a dynamic environment during severe weather activations.Ability to maintain patience and tact when dealing with individuals with barriers as needed to provide information or instruction.Ability to interact effectively with a variety of individuals and groups from varying educational, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds, including listening, sensitivity to others' feelings, needs, and point of view, tact, and courtesy in expressing opinions or ideas.Projecting a positive image of ACCESS and recognizing opportunities to enhance community relations.Peer Support Certification or ability to obtain one within the first year of employment.Use a trauma-informed communication delivery model when interacting with all clients and fellow staff members.Ability to work flexible hours. Willingness and ability to adjust to changing conditions or priorities.In addition to working in a typical office environment, the Peer Support program will be required to work in areas inhabited by unhoused persons, low-income apartments, and in outside environments and dealing with persons who may become challenging to work with due to the barriers they may be experiencing.Must be willing to work in poor weather.Proven ability to consistently provide ideas, opinions, or information in an articulate, professional way.Ability to actively listen to others and demonstrate understanding of other points of view.This position requires you to have a work-issued cell phone (in lieu of a cell phone, other similar options are available per the agency Cell Phone Election Form).A valid Oregon driver’s license with a record that is acceptable under ACCESS’ insurance policies.