TRC - Veteran Peer to Peer Specialist

The Resource Center, Inc.; Jamestown (NY); On-site; USD 42,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

The Resource Center, Inc. is seeking a Veteran Peer to Peer Specialist (VPSS) to support fellow veterans reintegrating into civilian life. The VPSS provides non-clinical, suicide-prevention-focused support using lived experience to guide participants to resources and services while acting as a positive role model.

This role emphasizes engagement, mentorship, and connection to community programs, aiming to foster holistic warrior care and strengthen veteran networks within the community.

Qualifications

• Demonstrate compassion with professional boundaries.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Basic computer literacy; proficient in Word, Excel and Outlook.
• Military service or understanding of military culture; combat experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provides lived-experience support and engagement.
• Assists with outreach, follow-ups, and group activities.
• Helps veterans navigate community resources.
• Supports safety planning and early-warning monitoring.
• Provide peer-to-peer support to veterans facing PTSD and TBI.
• Engage veterans and their families through mentoring and group facilitation.
• Offer emotional support, guidance and referrals to resources.
• Assist veterans in employment searches and housing stability.
• Represent the Project at community events and outreach programs.
• Maintain accurate reports on mentorship activities and veteran engagement.
• Promote holistic wellness through mental health support and social reintegration.
• Respond promptly and with compassion to inquiries from Veterans.
• Research information to provide complete and accurate responses when necessary.
• Identify potential resources across community, state, federal, health and social services.
• Attend and participate in departmental and organizational meetings.
• Promote teamwork by communicating with the program Director.
• Complete all training as required and assigned.
• All other duties as assigned.

Tools

Microsoft Word

Excel

PowerPoint

Outlook

Job description

VETERAN PEER TO PEER SPECIALIST (VPSS) – JOB DESCRIPTION

RESPONSIBLE TO:

Fox Program Director

FUNCTION:

Veteran Peer Support Specialist (VPSS) plays a crucial role in supporting fellow veterans as they reintegrate into civilian life. This role is essential in fostering a supportive community for veterans, helping them navigate post-service life with confidence and connection. The VPSS is responsible for assisting Veterans with integrating back into their community by connecting them with programs and services that will accomplish holistic warrior care. Provide emotional support and referrals for Veterans who are going through a crisis or problematic situation. Function as a positive role model for all Veterans.

A Veterans peer specialist provides non-clinical, suicide-prevention-focused support to at‑risk Veterans by using their own lived experience to guide, mentor, and connect participants to resources. This role matters because Peer support dramatically increases engagement and trust—critical in suicide-prevention work.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

Must possess the ability to demonstrate compassion while maintaining appropriate professional conduct boundaries. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills. The ability to network, form and maintain positive relationships within the community; motivate others; demonstrate leadership skills; and analyze issues and suggest resolutions. Basic computer literacy and proficiency using Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and willingness to learn how to new software programs as needed. Strong organizational, prioritization skills; and attention to detail are key skills required in this role.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

An equivalent combination of relevant training and experience. Military service sufficient to understand the military culture is required. Combat experience preferred.

DUTIES

• Provides lived-experience support and engagement.
• Assists with outreach, follow‑ups, and group activities.
• Helps veterans navigate community resources.
• Supports safety planning and early‑warning monitoring.
• Provide peer‑to‑peer support to veterans facing challenges such as PTSD and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI).
• Engage veterans and their families through individual mentorship and group facilitation.
• Offer emotional support, guidance, and referrals to community resources.
• Assist veterans in employment searches and housing stability.
• Represent the Project at community events and outreach programs.
• Maintain accurate reports on mentorship activities and veteran engagement.
• Promote holistic wellness through various programs, including mental health support and social reintegration.
• Respond promptly and with compassion and understanding to inquiries from Veterans.
• Answer Veteran/client questions, including researching information to provide complete and accurate responses when necessary.
• Search out and identify potential resources this could include, but not be limited to community, state, federal, health, and social resources.
• Attend and actively participate in departmental and organizational meetings.
• Promote teamwork by communicating regularly and effectively with program Director.
• Complete all training as required and assigned
• All other duties as assigned

REQUIRED TOOLS:

• 1. Badge Access (Assigned location)
• 2. E-mail (Internal account)
• 3. Shared Drive
• 4. Time and Attendance System
• 5. Training Management System