Outreach Peer Support Spec

Education, Licensure and Experience Requirements:

Education: High School Diploma or equivalent (GED)

• Required Licensure: None.

Minimum Required Experience: Must demonstrate experience in recovery from mental illness, addiction, and/or homelessness (or a combination thereof); Must have 6 months experience in the provision of peer support, self-help, or mental health/behavioral health services. Ability to utilize personal computer including MS Word & Outlook/email with knowledge of Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) preferred. Ability to effectively communicate and engage with people in the community and clients served.

Job Knowledge and Comprehension

• Primary Job Role

• This position promotes the mission, vision, values and strategic plan of Neighborhood Service Organization and helps to achieve the strategic goals and objectives of the unit.

• The Outreach Peer Support Specialist, as part of the Homeless Recovery Services team and in collaboration with the person served, will provide peer coaching while being responsible for assisting with basic needs street outreach, assessment, case plan development, housing placement and linkage to community referrals, including SOAR services. This position is based in the Detroit Healthy Housing Center and will involve intensive outreach services in the community.

• The Outreach Peer Support Specialist will provide services to an assigned caseload in collaboration with a Case Manager under the supervision of Street Outreach Supervisor.

Essential Job Duties

• Primary Job Duty:

• Gain trust and respect of clients and potential clients based on shared experience, mutual support, and perspectives.

• Model recovery and skills that are conducive to community participation and inclusion.

• Provides street outreach in tandem with other Outreach Peer Support Specialists to engage clients who are defined as unsheltered.

• Provide follow-up services to known locations as identified by the person served.

• Provides intensive support services in tandem with Outreach Case Manager until client is successfully housed.

• Performs screening and assessments on clients in tandem with Outreach Case Manager.

• Coordinates with Outreach Case Manager for completion of case plan.

• Mentor the client on navigating human service systems.

• Directly engages community partners, service providers, and landlords/property managers.

• Assist clients with obtaining necessary documentation required for housing placement.

• Assist the clients through the Housing Choice Voucher process when scoring for Rapid Rehousing, including facilitating housing placement, and attending lease signings.

• Assist clients through the Permanent Supportive Housing process when scoring for PSH, including obtaining documentation, attending appointments and lease signings.

• Assist clients in understanding and abiding by their lease obligations.

• Assist clients in obtaining furniture and other necessary household items.

• Documents services provided in a timely and accurate manner, according to NSO policy.

• Additional Job Duty

• Participates in team meetings and presents information obtained through the screening and assessment process.

• Completes progress notes and uploads all required documents into HMIS and NSO's Electronic Record according to agency policy.

• Completes and makes corrections to reports within time frames requested by supervisor.

• Develops and maintains a working knowledge and relationship with providers of resources for clients.

• Apprises Administrative staff of service gaps that affect clients' functioning within the community.

• Perform other duties as assigned.

• Productivity

• Productivity will be based on outcome measures predetermined by the funding source

• Service Activity Logs must demonstrate performance consistent with client's Case Plan.

Administrative and Professional Skills

• Complies with and adheres to department and NSO policies and procedures.

• Adheres to established quality and performance improvement standards.

• Works effectively with others to accomplish goals/resolve problems.

• Organizes work well and uses time effectively.

• Maintains consistent work attendance.

• Maintains good operating environment by attending work on time as scheduled.

• Professionally represents NSO and promotes NSO mission and vision statements.

• Promotes a harmonious work environment.

• Demonstrates expertise in his/her functional area, leveraging unique core of knowledge and skills to achieve results.

• Demonstrates working knowledge of electronic record systems and Microsoft Office software.

• Ensures client satisfaction through the process of monitoring, improving, and delivering excellence in program services.

• Is open to new approaches and takes steps to increase knowledge, skills and abilities, both from within and outside NSO.

• Complies with contractual and regulatory requirements, as needed.

• Fosters commitment, team spirit, pride, and trust.

• Possesses good work ethic, drive, energy, and persistence to achieve goals. Takes accountability for job responsibilities.

• Able to anticipate and bring about change when needed.

• Performs other duties as assigned.

Working Conditions and Necessary Capabilities

• This position requires extensive driving in the community and will require the transport of clients. Staff should be prepared for all weather conditions, as they will be spending a considerable amount of time outdoors and in vehicles.

• Works in an outreach capacity; uses a computer, telephone and other office equipment as needed to perform duties. Work location can be in service settings, soup kitchens, homeless shelters, and places not meant for human habitation (i.e. city streets, parks, overpasses, and abandoned buildings).

• The noise level in the work environment is variable, due to frequent contact with clients.

• Bends, stoops, and reaches in order to file, search for and retrieve records and documents.

Manual dexterity and regular fine-finger and hand/wrist motions are required for operating a keyboard, writing and filing.

• Seeing/vision, talking/speaking and listening/hearing are continuously required.

• Frequently required to stand during working hours.

Frequently required to sit, walk, or drive.

• Operates an automobile while performing assigned job duties.

Overview of Duties and Responsibilities:

Under the direction of the Street Outreach Supervisor of Homeless Recovery Services, the Outreach Peer Support Specialist will support recovery and participation by sharing lived experience and educating clients about recovery and rehabilitation. Coordinating with internal and external resources, the Outreach Peer Support Specialist will encourage community participation, independence, and productivity. This is an individual who is passionate about the mission of ending homelessness and is dedicated to ensuring a client's exit to a positive housing destination.