CH Peer Support Lead

STARTING PAY: $19.88 per hour

SUMMARY

The Coming Home program employs the Housing First approach to house and provide supportive services to those experiencing chronic homelessness. Honoring the inherent dignity of those the program serves, Coming Home affirms client capabilities and encourages self-sufficiency, giving hope that a better life is possible.

The Peer Support Specialist LEAD provides oversight of the Coming Home Peer Support team. The Peer Support team provides additional support to clients to promote community inclusion and participation, independence, recovery, and resiliency. Peer Support Specialists are typically in recovery and have a lived experience similar to that of their clients. Peer Support Specialists support clients through life-skills training and community integration.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Exercises direct supervision of Coming Home program Peer Support team and PREP Academy. This position leads these teams in the following tasks:

• Development of a training plan and training all Peer Support staff upon hire.

• Establish, track, and record performance measures for PREP Academy.

• Ensure all Peer Support Specialists complete HMIS entries and services for clients accurately and consistently.

• Oversight of daily HMIS documentation requirements including client interaction and client progress.

• Provide extra support and training for Peer Support Specialists to assist clients with accessing and navigating community resources.

• Monitor support offered to clients in maintaining cooperative and effective relationships with their primary service provider and property management.

• Works closely with Coming Home Program Coordinator to ensure program goals are being met.

• Coordinate and collaborate with providers to assist PSS in establishing a network of care for clients, including natural supports, connection to mutual aid groups, and sponsorship (when appropriate).

• Incorporate experience with personal recovery in assisting and supporting the team and clients.

• Enhance team decision making by assuring client voice and choice is included in service planning and goal setting.

• Promote recovery through role modeling and sharing experiences, providing hope and encouragement to client.

• Facilitate access to mutual aid groups for clients, with an emphasis on options embracing multiple pathways to recovery.

• Equip Peer Supports to assist clients in the development of life skills such as resolving interpersonal conflicts in their environment, maintaining housing, developing work skills, safety skills, social skills, receiving and maintaining benefits.

• Provide education and support to staff regarding issues affecting population and work to reduce stigma related to those.

• Adhere to Housing First and harm reduction model of peer advocacy.

• Advocates for the needs of individual clients as well as for systemic change, whenever needed, for the overall benefit of homeless individuals.

• Facilitate daily Peer Support staff meetings to coordinate activities with team members.

• Equip Peer Support team to assist clients with learning the skills for necessary activities of daily living such as transportation, housekeeping, meal preparation, medication, shopping, laundry, or other hands-on assistance as needed.

• Works to cultivate a culture of support and community within the team and the Community Development department.

• Transports clients using a COA vehicle when needed and monitors vehicle maintenance needs.

• Assists Peer Support team with work that needs to be completed or client interventions that arise in moments of urgency or crisis.

• Coordinate regular, individual supervision reflection with staff.

• Meet periodically with the Coming Home Program Coordinator for ongoing individual supervision.

• Must carry a company cell phone and be accessible when in the field to the Peer Support team, program clients, community partners, Coming Home Program Coordinator, and Department management.

• Assists regularly with client moves, including assembly, pickup, delivery, and set-up of household items.

• Performs other job- and department-related duties as assigned.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

High school diploma or equivalent is required. Must be able to operate a computer. Requires person who has progressed in their own recovery and has achieved a minimum of one year of recovery in at least one of the following areas: homelessness/ mental health / addiction, and who is actively involved in recovery activities. A valid Texas driver's license is required.

PREFERRED REQUIREMENTS

A degree in Human Services or related field is preferred. Peer support specialist certification preferred. Previous supervisory experience preferred.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES.

• Experience with or interest in multiple pathways to recovery.

• Excellent interpersonal and verbal communication skills.

• Ability to efficiently operate a computer both in the field and in the office for data entry, email correspondence, and other daily record keeping as required.

• Basic understanding of homelessness and various characteristics of homeless adult populations; experience with the issues of mental illness and/or chemical dependency preferred.

• Knowledge of peer support, community resources, entitlements, etc.

• Must demonstrate ability to work effectively with a diverse team, citizens, investment and property owners, and community groups.

• Ability to recognize and establish appropriate boundaries with clients.

• Ability to maintain confidentiality practices.

• Must possess a highly positive and enthusiastic attitude and strong commitment toward helping those in need.

• Interest and experience in working with individuals who are difficult to engage and refer to traditional programs; subscribe to a philosophy of tolerance and ability to engage with individuals in their current stage of change, expressed knowledge, acceptance, and/or experience with principles of harm reduction.

• Will be required to drive a City of Amarillo vehicle.

• Will work Monday-Friday, 8am to 5pm.

The City of Amarillo is an Equal Opportunity employer and encourages applications from eligible and qualified persons regardless of race, color, religious creed, national origin, ancestry, age, gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, familial status, disability, genetic information or protected veteran status, in compliance with applicable federal, state and local law.

The City of Amarillo provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities on a case by case basis. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process, please contact the Human Resources Office at 806-378-4294.