Peer Mentor - Logan Fountain

Jericho Project; New York (NY); On-site; USD 43,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

Jericho Project in Brooklyn seeks a Peer Mentor to engage tenants with respect for diversity and to support outreach, housing stabilization, and service delivery. This role also helps organize recreational and social events.

The Peer Mentor will work with clinical and workforce development staff, assist with court and agency visits, and help participants pursue education and career goals while promoting LGBTQ+ affirming practices within the workplace.

Qualifications

• High School diploma required; Associate or Bachelor’s degree preferred but extensive experience considered.
• Must have experienced homelessness/housing crisis.
• CASAC credentials preferred.
• Experience in homelessness, substance abuse, mental health and/or trauma settings preferred.
• Understanding of LGBTQ community and issues affecting these populations.

Responsibilities

• Work with clinical and workforce development staff to identify tenant needs and support program participants.
• Accompany tenants to Housing Court, Section-8 briefings, HRA, Social Security Office, and assist in inspections as needed.
• Help tenants gain education/career-oriented skills and meet service plan goals.
• Participate in groups and events to encourage tenant involvement.
• Collaborate with supervisors, case managers and career counselor for participant development.
• Document activities in the Awards database and maintain group notes.
• Assist with LGBTQ affirming practices in the workplace.
• Carry out other duties as assigned by leadership.

Skills

Organizational skills

Writing skills

Interpersonal skills

Engagement skills

Self-starter

Computer skills

Education

High School diploma

Associate or Bachelor's degree preferred

CASAC credentials preferred

Job description

About Jericho Project

Jericho Project is a nationally recognized nonprofit that has been working to end homelessness at its roots since 1983. What began as a Manhattan soup kitchen has grown into a citywide organization serving nearly 3,000 New Yorkers each year—including over 700 veterans, as well as young adults and families, many of whom identify as LGBTQ+.

Jericho provides more than 600 units of supportive housing through seven permanent residences in the Bronx and Harlem, along with scattered-site apartments throughout New York City. Our housing-first model is paired with wraparound services delivered by skilled case managers, licensed mental health clinicians, and workforce development specialists. Together, these services support our four pillars of stability: housing, employment, wellness, and family.

In 2024, Jericho facilitated over 570 housing placements, helped secure nearly 275 job placements, and delivered over 750 therapy sessions through our in-house Jericho Therapy Program. As we move toward expanding our reach by an additional 2,000 units of housing, we remain committed to helping individuals and families build lasting independence and well-being - one person, one home, and one community at a time.

About the Position

Jericho Project is seeking an enthusiastic and driven Peer Mentor. This candidate will provide services to tenants with an awareness of, sensitivity to, and respect for diversity of culture, ethnicity, gender identity, physical and mental abilities, sexual orientation, race, and spirituality or religion. This position will be responsible for engaging and interacting with all tenants and providing extra support and guidance for outreach, housing stabilization, and service provision. This position will also assist with organizing recreational and social events.

Position: Peer Mentor
Location: Logan Fountain (Brooklyn)
Reports To: Assistant Program Director
Status: Non-Exempt
Compensation: $43,000.00 to $45,000.00 annualized

Responsibilities

• Working with the clinical and workforce development staff to identify areas of need that the tenants may have and support and assist program participants in addressing the need.
• Accompany tenants to Housing Court, Section-8 briefing appointments, HRA office, Social Security Office, and assist in apartment inspections as required.
• Work with the tenants to gain education/career oriented skills and assist in meeting their service plan goals.
• Participate in groups and events held at the office to encourage and support tenants in their involvement in those activities.
• Collaborate with Program Director, Assistant Director, Case Managers and Career Counselor for the continued development, motivation, and mentorship of program participants.
• Implement and track the use of DOHMH guidelines for food purchases/offerings when planning group events.
• Conduct outreach to community organizations, schools, housing courts, food pantries and other locations to identify resources and opportunities for tenants residing in the program.
• Assist other program staff in developing and maintaining community linkages necessary to facilitate referrals.
• Maintain an effective working relationship with external community partners and maintain steady communication and rapport with the program staff.
• Participate in staff meetings and required trainings.
• Actively assist and participate in all program activities and special events as needed, including attending monthly community meeting.
• Document and maintain accurate Group notes for activities in Awards database.
• Assist with the practice and implementation of affirming LGBTQ practices within the work place.
• Carry out other duties as assigned by any leader.

Requirements

• High School diploma required. Associate or Bachelor's degree preferred but will consider extensive experience in lieu of education.
• Must be an individual who has experienced homelessness/housing crisis
• CASAC credentials preferred.
• Experience working in homelessness, substance abuse, mental health and/or trauma settings preferred.
• An understanding of the LGBTQ community and issues specific to aforementioned populations.
• Candidates must be a self-starter with the skills and energy to work with high-need tenants.
• Must possess strong organizational, writing and computer skills.
• Must have strong engagement and interpersonal skills.
• Peer Mentor is regularly required to, type, use hands and fingers, reach with hands and arm. Peer Mentor is regularly required to walk, ascend and descend stairs, stoop, and kneel. The Peer Mentor is often required to spend up to six (6) hours sitting at a desk during a normal eight (8) hour shift. Occasionally the Peer Mentor is required to lift items less than 5 pounds. The Peer Mentor is regularly required to move throughout the facility/NYC while carrying out job duties.

ADA Specifications

This position requires the ability to lift up to 50 lbs. Ability to travel to various sites. One must possess the ability to speak, hear, see, and write as well as the ability to use a computer and related software programs. Local and/or national travel required and may require some longer weekday/weekend commitments to accomplish related business projects or meet deliverables.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace where all employees feel welcome and valued. We believe that diversity and inclusion are essential to our success.

DISCLAIMER

This job description is intended to provide a general overview of the position and its essential functions. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all the duties and responsibilities that may be assigned to the staff member. The specific duties and responsibilities of the position may change from time to time, as determined by the needs of the organization. The staff member must be able to perform the essential functions of the position satisfactorily, with or without reasonable accommodation. Reasonable accommodation will be made to enable employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions of their job, absent undue hardship.