SSVF Carolinas Peer Mentor/Outreach Worker - Raleigh

Volunteers-of-Americ; Raleigh (NC); On-site; USD 36,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

Volunteers-of-Americ seeks a Peer Mentor to provide outreach and pre-screening to veterans and families eyeing enrollment in the Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) program. You will mentor participants, helping them access housing and veteran resources through the strengths-based Case Management team.

You may accompany clients to appointments and document progress in HMIS. Strong communication, cultural sensitivity, and reliability are essential, along with a valid NC driver’s

Qualifications

• Must be able to speak, write and understand English.
• Excellent communication and listening skills.
• Strong work ethic and professionalism.
• Ability to collaborate with a team and diverse populations.
• Basic computer skills including data entry.

Responsibilities

• Provide direct outreach to veterans and families in homes and community settings.
• Pre-screen and assist eligibility for SSVF program participation.
• Mentor and coach participants to access veteran and community resources.
• Attend Stand Downs and other outreach activities as needed.
• Document participation, progress, referrals, and services in HMIS.
• Support Case Management team with discharge planning and follow-up.

Skills

English proficiency

Excellent communication

Active listening

Teamwork

Multi-tasking

Cultural competency

Excel

PowerPoint

Outlook

Education

Tools

Excel

PowerPoint

Outlook

Job description

SUMMARY: The Peer Mentor provides direct outreach and pre-screening to potential individuals interested in enrolling in the Supportive Services for Veteran Families Program. Qualified candidate must possess a clear understanding of the service delivery system and the resources available for veterans and their families. Individual will provide peer support, mentoring, and coaching to SSVF program participants to help them access and navigate community and veteran resources. This individual will also serve as a quality assurance representative to veteran households accessing SSVF funds and participate as a member of the strengths-based Case Management team.ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: (These essential job functions are not to be construed as a complete statement of all duties performed. Employees will be required to perform other job-related duties as required. Nothing in this job description restricts management’s rights to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at this time)OutreachIdentify locations frequented by potential veteran applicants (including veteran family members)Provide direct outreach to veterans and their families in their naturally occurring environments (i.e. home visits and community visits)Engage and build rapport with target populationProvide identification of and pre-screening for eligibility of potential applicantsCoordinate initial screening and assessment with Case Management teamParticipate in Stand Downs and other VA/community outreach activitiesProvide client access to services and community resources as neededSupportProvide peer support, mentoring, and coaching to SSVF participants through assistance in navigating and accessing veteran and mainstream resourcesAccompany veterans to appointments, when appropriateProvide peer support and mentoring in securing permanent housingFacilitate discussion and training in peer groups, as determined by the Case Management teamMonitor and document participation, progress, referrals, and services provided to participantAssist Case Management team in preparing discharge plans and follow-up contact with SSVF program participantsComplete paperwork and data reports as requested by the Program Team including use of HMISNetworkingAttend agency, community, and supervisory meetings, as neededMaintain working relationships with community agencies to provide comprehensive services to participantsMaintain working relationships with veteran serving organizationsAttend in-service trainings and outside conferences/workshops, as requested by the Program ManagerOTHER RESPONSIBILITIES:Comply with all applicable training requirementsComply with all company safety, personnel and operational policies and proceduresComply with work schedule to ensure effective operations of Agency programsContributes positively as a member of a productive and cooperative teamPerforms other duties as necessaryREQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES: (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, skills, and abilities necessary. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these functions.)Able to speak, write and understand EnglishPossess basic computer skillsMust be sensitive to and respect cultural diversity amongst clients, staff and volunteers and able to work with diverse racial, ethnic and economic groupsFlexible work schedule including evenings, nights, weekends and holidaysAbility to set appropriate limits, work under deadlines and multi-taskAbility to organize, prioritize, self-motivate, and deliver resultsExcellent communication and listening skillsPossess strong work ethicsSuccessfully pass Law Enforcement background screeningValid North Carolina driver’s license if driving an agency vehicle or a personal vehicle for company businessMust have reliable transportationParticipate in Agency Performance Quality Improvement (PQI) program and Accreditation/ Reaccreditation processMission-driven attitude supplemented with integrity and passionAdherence to the highest ethical standards, personally and professionallyA high level of openness and willingness to receive feedback/suggestions from superiors and others, and to learn new skills to improve job performanceADDITIONAL KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES: (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, skills, and abilities necessary. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these functions.)Basic knowledge of the resources in the community available for the veteran population, especially services and programs offered by the VAHave basic knowledge of severe and persistent mental illness and substance abuseAbility to form partnerships in the community and seek out community resourcesStrong oral and written communicationsStrong organizational, time management, and data management skillsProven ability to work effectively both individually and as part of a teamAbility to multi-task and problem solve under pressureAbility to provide positive customer service to difficult populationsEDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE: (Pending on position and if prior to hire is approved by Chief Executive Officer, a comparable amount of training, education or experience may be substituted for the minimum education qualifications)This position is specific to an individual with prior military experience. Experience or education with human services, homelessness, and veteran resources is a plusIndividual will be responsible for attending a peer support training prior to mentoring participantsMust be able to comply with complex governmental regulations, policies and procedures and demonstrate thorough document compliance efforts and activitiesMust be proficient with data management and information systems and have basic knowledge of Excel, PowerPoint, and OutlookGENERAL PHYSICAL DEMANDS: These physical demands are representative of the physical requirements necessary for an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodation can be made, if appropriate, to enable people with disabilities to perform the described essential functions of job. Working in an office/site requires prolonged sitting at the computer workstation; standing, bending, reaching, lifting up to 20 lbs. and some driving. Requires manual dexterity sufficient to operate standard office machines such as computers, fax machines, calculators, telephones, and other office equipment. It is also required to regularly sit, speak, and listen, the employee is also required to walk, use hands and fingers to type, operate equipment, and maintain records and notes. Specific vision abilities required include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.MENTAL DEMANDS: Must handle new and diverse work problems on a daily basis. Personal maturity is an important attribute. Must be able to resolve problems, handle conflict, and make effective decisions under pressure. Must have the ability to listen objectively to people, perceive the real problem and assist in bringing issues to a successful conclusion. Must relate and interact with, volunteers, clients, contractors, visitors and employees at all levels within the Agency.WORK ENVIRONMENT: Environment will occasionally become noisy due to equipment operations and interactions among clients and staff. There may be the possibility of being exposed to communicable disease, possible exposure to verbal abuse or similar behavior from residents/clients. On an as needed basis, employees may be called upon to work outside of the established work schedule or work odd hours. All information associated with the Agency is confidential.