Peer Support Specialist - Women's Resource Center

Volunteers of America, Utah; Salt Lake City (UT); On-site; USD 38,000 - 52,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Health Savings Account

403b with employer match

Employee Assistance Program

Paid time off – 33 days to start

Life insurance

Referral program

Job summary

Volunteers of America, Utah is seeking a Certified Peer Support Specialist to assist women experiencing homelessness at the Women’s Resource Center. You will support mental health and substance use treatment participation, promote stabilization, and help clients access housing resources.

The role emphasizes direct client interaction, advocacy, and coordination with the Client Services Manager. Certification in Utah and lived experience are essential requirements for this position.

Qualifications

• Direct lived experience with homelessness, mental illness and/or substance use.
• Active Peer Support Specialist Certification.
• Ability to prioritize and manage daily tasks.
• Familiarity with trauma-informed care and housing-first principles.

Responsibilities

• Maintain an active caseload
• Provide peer counseling to individuals and groups
• Assist clients with daily living needs and access to services
• Support move-out preparations and housing transitions
• Lead orientations for new clients and supervise client initiatives
• Attend weekly organizational meetings and document diligently
• Ensure timely completion of all required forms and records
• Maintain regular and predictable attendance

Skills

Peer counseling

Crisis support

Advocacy

Documentation

Education

Utah Peer Support Certification

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

• Low-cost medical, dental, and vision coverage. Health savings account. 403b retirement plan with employer match (50% match up to 3%).
• Employee Assistance Program for all employees
• 33 paid days off: 11 observed paid holidays, 12 sick days, and 10 vacation days to start. Vacation increases to 12 days after 1 year, 15 days after 2 years, and more at 5 and 9 years of service.
• Sick and vacation time accrue hourly per pay period.
• $50,000 in employer-paid life insurance; additional coverage available.
• Employer contribution to your Health Savings Account (paid quarterly)
• Employee Referral Program including cash bonuses and paid time off

Benefits

• Low-cost medical, dental, and vision coverage. Health savings account. 403b retirement plan with employer match (50% match up to 3%).
• Employee Assistance Program for all employees
• 33 paid days off: 11 observed paid holidays, 12 sick days, and 10 vacation days to start. Vacation increases to 12 days after 1 year, 15 days after 2 years, and more at 5 and 9 years of service.
• Sick and vacation time accrue hourly per pay period.
• $50,000 in employer-paid life insurance; additional coverage available.
• Employer contribution to your Health Savings Account (paid quarterly)
• Employee Referral Program including cash bonuses and paid time off

About

Volunteers of America, Utah is an affiliate of a national, nonprofit, faith-based organization that has served communities across the United States for more than 125 years. Volunteers of America, Utah’s mission is to provide community-supported pathways for those who are vulnerable to improve their lives and increase their self-reliance. Our programs serve people experiencing challenges related to mental health, substance use, and homelessness. We encourage all who are passionate about making a difference, including individuals with lived experience, to apply.

Position Summary

The Certified Peer Support Specialist acts as a liaison to women experiencing homelessness staying at the Women’s Resource Center by assisting them in accepting and participating in mental health, substance use and other treatments with the objective of promoting stabilization within the resource center and towards securing housing.

Essential Duties

• Maintain an active caseload
• Provide peer counseling and consultation to individual clients as well as in a group setting
• Provide practical help and supports, advocacy, coordination, side‑by‑side individualized support, problem solving, direct assistance training, and supervision to help clients obtain the necessities of daily living
• Support moveout preparations with clients moving into housing by providing support and guidance before and during their transition out of shelter
• Facilitate orientations for clients that are new to the facility
• Supervise weekly client “Clean Team” groups and other client initiatives as directed by Client Services Manager
• Participate in weekly organizational meetings
• Complete all required documentation in a timely manner
• Attends work on a regular and predictable basis

Non-Essential Duties

• Maintain good professional relationships with appropriate community figures, referral sources, and other professionals.
• Maintain and enhance professional skills and knowledge through attending conferences/ workshops/courses and reading professional materials that are relevant to job requirements and approved by the Client Services Manager.
• Demonstrate familiarity with and adherence to Utah laws regarding confidentiality and mandatory reporting requirements.
• Conduct professional life in accordance with the standards of his/her discipline and the clinical policies and procedures of the agency.
• Performs other functions as necessary or assigned.

Requirements

Qualifications

To Perform This Job Successfully, An Individual Must Be Able To Perform Each Essential Duty Satisfactorily. The Requirements Listed Below 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. Direct Lived Experience With Homelessness, Mental Illness And/ Or Substance Use And Basic Knowledge Of Community Resources Which Provides The Following Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities:

Certification in Utah as a Peer Support Specialist is required and work experience with adults with severe and persistent mental illness and substance use disorders or any combination of education, experience, and training which provides the following knowledge, skills, and abilities:

• Direct experience with homelessness, mental illness and/ or substance use disorders and demonstrates a level of recovery sufficient to manage their illness and function independently.
• Active Peer Support Specialist Certification.
• Ability to independently plan, prioritize, and execute own work to ensure completion of daily tasks.
• Familiarity with Trauma Informed Care, Motivational Interviewing and Housing First philosophies and willingness to incorporate them in your daily work.
• Ability to remain calm and respond appropriately in crises.
• Ability to independently plan, prioritize, and execute own work to ensure completion of daily tasks.
• Ability to uphold professional boundaries, confidentiality regulations, agency policies and procedures, and interact in a professional manner with a diverse workforce, clients, and the public.
• Maintain client confidentiality as outlined in the training module on Confidentiality.
• Willingness to accept supervision and direction.
• Computer literate with familiarity of Microsoft Office.
• Ability to uphold professional boundaries, confidentiality regulations, agency policies and procedures, and interact in a professional manner with a diverse workforce, clients, and the public.
• Become CPR and First Aid Certified.
• Driving required: must be at least 21 years of age, possess a valid driver’s license, have a good driving record, and be insurable on the agency liability policy.
• Must be able to pass Utah-DHHS – Office of Licensing background screening and pre-employment drug screen. Must maintain eligible determination through Utah DHHS' continuous background monitoring.

Physical Demands

• Ability to lift and carry 25 lbs.
• Ability to move around the facility, interacting with clients for extended periods.
• Work is generally performed in an office environment.