Peer Support Specialist (HOY)

San Diego LGBT Community Center; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 26,139 - 37,229; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical coverage

401(k) with match

Vacation & holidays

Training & development

Job summary

The San Diego LGBT Community Center is seeking a Peer Support Specialist to mentor and stabilize youth in the LGBTQ Housing Our Youth program. You will engage clients, accompany them to appointments, and connect them with needed services within the community.

Responsibilities include documentation, data entry into HMIS, and contributing to monthly funder reports. A trauma‑informed, strength‑based approach is essential.

Qualifications

• Fluency in English is required.
• Familiarity with life experiences of youth housing instability.

Responsibilities

• Provide mentorship and crisis intervention for transitional-age youth (18‑24) in Housing Our Youth program.
• Maintain accurate documentation of goals, needs, and service entries.
• Enter program data into HMIS for grant and contract reporting.
• Assist in monthly funder narrative reports.

Skills

Fluency in English

Mentorship

Crisis intervention

Client engagement

Multitasking

Diversity competence

Trauma‑informed approach

Reliable transportation

Tools

HMIS

Windows PC

Job description

WELCOME TO YOUR CENTER!

Established as a community non‑profit in 1972, The Center provides targeted programs and services to the full diversity of the San Diego LGBTQ community. The mission of The Center is to enhance and sustain the health and well‑being of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, queer, transgender, nonbinary, immigrant, and HIV communities for the betterment of our entire San Diego region. Our vision is to create a Center and Center culture where every person feels and knows that they are welcomed, valued, and supported. As the beacon for our regional LGBTQ community, we actively recommit to being a more vibrant, bold, innovative, safe, and modern center each day than the day before. The Center is sex‑positive and provides advocacy and critical health and social support services to support our community members through all stages of life, focusing on our deeply held values of equity, social justice, and client‑centered, trauma‑informed care. The Center currently has over 75 staff working at five facilities across San Diego County.

POSITION SUMMARY

Under the direction of the Youth Housing Services Manager, the Peer Support Specialist (HOY) is responsible for providing mentorship, stabilization support, client engagement, and crisis intervention for transitional‑age youth (18‑24 years old) participating in The Center's LGBTQ Housing Our Youth Program.

PRIMARY ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

Client Support:

• Utilize shared life‑experience expertise to advance client engagement and retention in services.
• Serve as a mentor to program participants and promote empowerment and hope.
• Provide ongoing support to clients and accompany them to appointments as needed.
• Guide clients to access external services that support their health and well‑being.

Record Management and Reporting:

• Maintain accurate documentation of clients' goals and needs, case management plans, and service entries into internal data systems.
• Enter program data and outcomes into the region's Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) to adhere to grant and contract compliance.
• Document thorough case notes that accurately reflect client progress toward individualized case management goals.
• Assist in the completion of monthly narrative reports for funder reports.

Required Qualifications:

• Education/Experience: Must have familiarity with life experiences common to youth who have experienced housing instability.
• Language Skills: Fluency in English required.
• Computer/Office Equipment Skills: Must be comfortable working in PC/Windows‑based environments.
• Other Qualifications:
  • Demonstrated ability to manage multiple tasks with shifting priorities.
  • Must demonstrate competence in working with diverse populations.
  • Must demonstrate competence in using strength‑based, trauma‑informed, and positive youth development approaches in service delivery.
  • Reliable transportation, a valid driver's license, and auto insurance.

preferred QUALIFICATIONS:

• Education/Experience: 1‑2 years of experience working with people experiencing homelessness, foster care, and juvenile dependency systems.
• Language Skills: Fluency in Spanish preferred.
• Other Qualifications: Experience managing crises and implementing crisis interventions.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS:

• Compensation: The pay range for this position is $23.00/hour and is commensurate with experience. This is a Full-Time Regular Non‑Exempt position.
• Benefits: The Center offers a robust benefits package, inclusive of Competitive Pay Scales, 401(k) Retirement Plan (with company match), Full Medical, Dental, Vision, and Chiropractic Health Coverage, Out‑of‑Pocket Optional Coverage for Spouses, Domestic Partners, and Dependent Children, Full‑time and Part‑Time Schedules, Generous Vacation and Holiday Benefits, Professional Training & Development Experiences, Opportunities for Promotion & Advancement.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The San Diego LGBT Community Center is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.