Peer Support Counselor

Redwood Community Services Inc; Lakeport (CA); On-site; USD 28,929 - 33,062; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits package

Pay differentials for language skills

CPR and First Aid Certification training

Job summary

Redwood Community Services Inc. is seeking a Peer Support Counselor in Lakeport, CA. This full-time position involves working with individuals experiencing homelessness, providing support and resources in a collaborative setting. Candidates should possess empathy, communication skills, and at least one year of related experience.

The role requires a flexible work schedule and offers a comprehensive benefits package. Languages spoken, especially Spanish or ASL, are a plus.

Qualifications

• Minimum of one year of experience in homelessness, social services, or similar areas.
• Candidates with lived experience of homelessness are strongly desired.
• Ability to work flexible hours, including weekends.

Responsibilities

• Monitor guest interactions and behaviors at the facility.
• Perform safety and security checks throughout the facility.
• Provide person-centered services for guests.
• Learn about substance use issues and harm reduction practices.
• Administer Narcan/Naloxone as needed.

Skills

Experience in social services or related fields

Compassion towards individuals experiencing homelessness

Communication skills

Ability to work with diverse populations

Fluency in Spanish or ASL

Education

High School/GED

Job description

Job Title: Peer Support Counselor

Location: Lakeport, CA

Position Type: Full Time

Education Level: High School/GED

Salary: $21.73 per hour (additional differentials may apply)

Shift: Swing

Department: Xamitin Haven, Homeless Resource Center

Overview

As a Xamitin Haven emergency shelter Peer Support Counselor you work directly with individuals experiencing homelessness. Xamitin Haven is a collaborative homeless resource located in Lakeport designed to provide housing related services, and safe shelter to people experiencing a housing crisis. Services are provided through a partnership of multiple community agencies. Xamitin Haven operates from a low barrier perspective, minimizing barriers to services, shelter, and housing resources. This is an on-call position working as part of a team at Xamitin Haven. You would assist individuals and families with connecting to shelter, laundry and shower facilities, housing resources, and other services offered. You would interact with the guests at the facility and talk with them about their housing goals. You would contribute to creating a safe, stable, supportive, and sanitary environment. This position requires an ability to be accepting and compassionate towards people who are living in trauma and may behave in ways that are hard to be around. You would demonstrate high quality customer service and empathy while working with diverse staff, guests, and community partners.

Key Responsibilities

• Monitors guest interactions and behaviors, intervening as needed to maintain a safe, stable, and supportive environment. Provides guidance and reminders to the guests to aid them with adhering to the policies of the facility.
• Regularly walk throughout the building and the perimeter of the facility to monitor for safety and security checks. Ensuring you engage with the guests as needed and intervene in disruptive incidents as they arise. Intervenes and de-escalates situations that would lead to dangerous behavior(s). Recommends or initiates other, non-physical, measures to redirect behavior.
• Communicates with on call supervisor, as needed and required, for assistance, direction, and to report incidents, according to policy.
• Provides services consistent with a person-centered, strength-based, low barrier, harm reduction, Housing First program foundation. Focuses on the underlying needs of the guests rather than the maladaptive behaviors they may be exhibiting to get those needs met.
• Learns about and maintains knowledge about substance use and the effects of various substances. Seeks out information and training on up-to-date best practices on harm reduction interventions. Learns the signs of an overdose and administers Narcan/Naloxone as appropriate for opioid overdoses.

Qualifications

• Minimum of one (1) year of experience working in a position related to homelessness, social services, hospitality, mental health, substance use, or similar areas.
• Strongly desired – Candidates with lived/personal experience with homelessness.

Other Qualifications

• Candidates must be at least 21 years old.
• Must have ability to work a flexible schedule, including weekends (facility is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week).
• Strongly desired – Candidates that speak and/or are fluent in Spanish or American Sign Language (ASL).

Conditions of Employment

• May work across all agency programs as needed.
• Occasional flexible work schedule required to meet individual client needs.
• Must possess a valid CA Driver’s License, current auto insurance, and a clean DMV printout (no more than 3 points).
• Must pass a clear background check with DOJ & FBI.
• CPR and First Aid Certified.
• TB Exam and Physical at the time of employment.

Training

• Preferred – Training in harm reduction, Housing First, trauma-informed, low barrier service models.
• RCS provides an in-depth onboarding and training orientation, which includes CPR/First Aid, Crisis Communication/Pro-ACT, Trauma-Informed Care, Motivational Interviewing, Collaborative Problem Solving, introductions to all RCS departments, and other valuable trainings.

Benefits

Comprehensive benefits package available.

Pay Differentials Offered (must qualify through testing or verification)

• Language Translation - Bi-cultural Spanish: $1.00 per hour
• Bimodal Bilingualism - ASL Sign Language: $1.00 per hour
• Bimodal Multilingualism - ASL Sign Language: $2.00 per hour
• Overnight/Graveyard - Stay Awake Shifts: $1.00 per hour

Redwood Community Services, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer and values diversity at all levels of its workforce.