Peer Support Specialist

Volunteers of America Colorado; Grand Junction (CO); On-site; USD 30,000 - 33,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Vacation Time

Sick Time

Paid Holidays

Floating Holidays

Personal Days

Tuition Assistance

Pension Plan

403b Retirement Plan with Agency Match

Health Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

Pet Insurance

Life Insurance

Accident Insurance

Employee Assistance/Work Life Balance

Job summary

Volunteers of America Colorado seeks a Peer Support Specialist to assist Veterans and their families through recovery-focused, non-clinical suicide prevention support. The role operates in community settings, connects clients to VA health care, housing, benefits, and other resources, and utilizes lived experience to promote hope and resilience.

Travel within Western Colorado, engagement with partners, documentation of services, and participation in multidisciplinary teams are essential.

Qualifications

• Must be a Veteran.
• Must have at least one year of sustained recovery experience.
• Experience or training in peer support or behavioral health.
• Colorado driver’s license and state-mandated automobile insurance.

Responsibilities

• Conduct outreach and engagement with Veterans at risk of suicide.
• Provide peer support grounded in shared lived experience.
• Connect participants to VA health care, housing, and benefits.
• Assist participants with system navigation and advocacy.
• Collaborate with VA and community partners to coordinate services.
• Facilitate peer groups and community-building activities.
• Maintain documentation and program records.
• Travel for outreach and follow-up services.
• Participates as part of a multidisciplinary team.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Collaboration

Communication

Job description

Description

WHO WE ARE

Volunteers of America Colorado is a nonprofit, faith-based organization dedicated to helping those in need transform their lives. Through more than 50 distinct human service programs, Volunteers of America changes the lives of more than 140,000 vulnerable Coloradoans each year. VOA services include housing and emergency shelters, hunger and nutrition services, and many other community support programs. Our work touches the mind, body, heart, and ultimately the spirit of those we serve. VOA integrates compassion with highly effective programs that build and strengthen communities.

A Peer Support Specialist leverages their lived experience of recovery related to mental health, substance use, and/or other life challenges to support Veterans, service members, and their families who may be at risk for suicide. This role delivers community-based, non-clinical suicide prevention services under the Staff Sergeant Parker Gordon Fox Suicide Prevention Grant Program. The position promotes hope, resilience, and recovery through peer support, outreach, and navigation of VA and community resources.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Conduct outreach and engagement with Veterans at risk of suicide
• Provide peer support grounded in shared lived experience
• Connect participants to VA health care, behavioral health, housing, and benefits
• Assist participants with system navigation and advocacy
• Collaborate with VA and community partners to coordinate services
• Facilitate peer groups and community-building activities
• Maintain documentation and program records
• Participate as part of a multidisciplinary team
• Travel for outreach and follow-up services
• Performs all other duties as assigned.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES: NA

WORKING CONDITIONS AND PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Travel throughout the program’s service area is required on a regular basis.
• Must be able to work in diverse and, at times, uncomfortable environments such as homeless shelters, service facilities, streets, offices, and all other locations as necessary to fulfill program objectives.
• Exposure to Indoor and Outdoor environments, Memory/recall, Sitting and tying/documentation of client interactions, Hearing/Listening, Verbal and Electronic (i.e. email and text message) communication.
• Physical movements such as bending, kneeling, walking, and lifting (30 to 50 pounds) may be required.

POSITION TYPE AND EXPECTED HOURS OF WORK

• Full-Time as indicated in posting.
• Work hours may vary but are typically scheduled around a 40-hour workweek designed to fulfill program objectives with occasional overtime requirements.

LOCATION: Western Colorado Veteran Services Office

Pay Range: $22.00-$24.00/hr

Employee must be able to perform essential job functions with or without reasonable accommodation and without posing a direct threat to safety or health of self or others. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily. Employee will perform job according to applied laws. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. If you require a reasonable accommodation to perform this role, please contact [e-mail] to begin the Interactive Process.

BENEFITS

• Vacation Time
• Separate Sick Time
• Paid Holidays
• Floating Holidays
• Personal Days
• Volunteer/Wellness Day
• Tuition Assistance
• Pension Plan
• 403b Retirement Plan with Agency Match
• Health, Dental, Vision, Pet Insurances
• Life Insurance
• Accident Insurance
• Employee Assistance/Work Life Balance Program
• Employee Discount Program
• LifeLock with Norton
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness

Volunteers of America is an EEO/AA Employer

Position will Remain Open Until Filled

VISA SPONSORSHIP IS NOT OFFERED FOR THIS ROLE

Veterans Strongly Encouraged to Apply

Requirements

COMPETENCIES

• Models core culture attributes of VOACO that include “AIRS” (Accountability, Integrity, Respect and Service).
• Models and VOACO’s three strategical critical virtues of HHS (Hungry, Humble, People Smart).
• Strong interpersonal skills and collaboration with VOACO/VA team members and community stakeholders.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS OF POSITION

• Must be a Veteran (required per SSG Fox peer support regulations)
• Must have at least one year of sustained recovery experience
• Experience or training in peer support or behavioral health
• Colorado driver’s license and state-mandated automobile insurance.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS OF POSITION

• Certified Peer Support Specialist or working toward certification
• Experience working with Veterans or in suicide prevention programs
• Knowledge of VA systems and community resource

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

• Understanding of recovery-oriented and trauma-informed care
• Familiarity with suicide prevention conceptsStrong communication and engagement skills
• Ability to maintain professional boundaries while using lived experience