Peer Specialist

Job Description

Job Description

Title: Peer Specialist (Certified)

FLSA: Part-time, Non-Exempt (32 hrs./wk.)

Pay Rate: $23.00-$27.00/hour, DOE

General Summary

The Certified Peer Specialist (PS) will facilitate six to eight weekly groups and coordinate special events during evenings and weekends in partnership with the clinical team. The PS will work closely with interim housing staff and residents to develop activities that promote purposeful living, including life skills workshops and healing environments, as part of the “Hollywood 2.0” initiative. The PS will participate in resident and staff meetings, gather feedback, and identify shared goals to strengthen group programming. The PS will also build partnerships with local businesses, libraries, and nonprofit organizations to expand resident opportunities and develop incentive programs that encourage group participation, good hygiene, room maintenance, and a supportive living environment.

Experience working with diverse communities is required, including LGBTQ+ individuals, people of color, immigrants, and individuals experiencing homelessness, substance use disorders, mental health conditions, or co-occurring disorders. The PS must be comfortable working in a community behavioral health setting.

Principle Duties and Responsibilities

1. Create and maintain signage for all available groups and extracurricular opportunities at the interim housing site.

2. Poll residents individually and at the monthly Resident’s Meetings on preferred group offerings and events.

3. Work closely with clinical team for clinical group meetings – taking notes, attendance, and assisting in whatever else may be required.

4. Provide monthly reports on groups to APAIT Management.

5. Lead no less than six weekly on-stie groups for residents that advance shared goals.

6. Facilitate an incentive program for residents for good behavior, group attendance and personal hygiene that will allow residents to hold themselves accountable, practice essential life skills while in our rehousing program, and create positive community at our site.

7. Reach out to local free resources on how to organize residents towards opportunities outside the traditional scope of casework and maintenance.

8. Act as a role model, providing guidance on adhering to house rules and assisting with conflict resolution.

9. Other projects and activities as assigned and required to meet program and agency mission, goals and objectives.

1. Ability to work overtime and perform duties during weekends, holiday, and evenings when required.
2. Regular attendance required.
3. Interpret agency purpose and mission to the community.
4. Maintain and uphold Agency mission statement, values, policies, procedures, and principles.
5. Attend Staff, Unit, Case Conferences, Agency, and Community meetings as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications - Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required

1. High school diploma or GED equivalent or college degree/diploma.
2. Peer Specialist Certified or pass the peer specialist exam and obtain certification within six months of their hire date.
3. Experience with social services, residential housing.
4. Basic knowledge of HIV/AIDS, human sexuality, substance addiction, behavioral health, homeless, and related issues.
5. Great attitude and strong interpersonal skills; and ability to relate to individuals from diverse backgrounds and a variety of cultures, languages, and educational backgrounds.
6. Ability to coordinate multiple projects and tasks simultaneously in a high-pressure work environment.
7. Experience working with diverse ethnic and cultural communities is a must, including, but not limited to the following target populations: people of color, gay/lesbian/bisexual/transgender individuals, individuals with limited English proficiency, undocumented immigrants, substance users, and homeless persons, of varying ages.
8. Ability to master a wide-range of information, adapt, take initiative, and work in a team-centered environment.
9. Excellent communication, written, and oral skills necessary for program narrative reporting and presentations.
10. Experience and knowledge of MS Office and Outlook software.
11. Proof of employment eligibility.
12. Maintain a valid California Driver’s License, auto insurance, and reliable transposition.
13. Updated tuberculosis test (annual requirement) – read, reviewed, and dated by a clinician 6 months prior to employment.
14. Maintain and uphold Agency mission statement, values, policies, procedures, and principles.
15. Pass of background check.

Supervisory Responsibilities

1. The incumbent in the position does not have formal supervisory responsibilities

Environmental Conditions (Working Conditions)

1. Ergonomically safe office environment with desktop computer, desk, chair, natural light from windows.
2. Exposure to vehicles in motion.

Physical Requirements

1. While performing this job, the incumbent typically spends time driving agency vehicle, sitting, standing, walking, carrying (max.20lbs), lifting (max. 20lbs), listening, and speaking.

Mental Requirements

1. The incumbent in this position must be able to accommodate any/all the following: constant distractions, interruptions; uncontrollable changes in priorities/work schedules; and availability for on call/duty after regular working hours, and exposure to inappropriate behavior and language of others.

Special Service for Groups, Inc. (SSG) is an Equal Opportunity/At-will Employer

SSG will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements set by law.

\nCompany Description

APAIT is a community based organization serving Los Angeles and Orange counties. APAIT’s mission is to positively impact the quality of life for vulnerable communities experiencing behavioral health challenges, housing insecurity, justice-involved individuals, victims of human trafficking, and those at risk for HIV/AIDS and sexual health issues.

Services include individual and group mental health counseling, substance use prevention and treatment, harm reduction and syringe exchange program, HIV/STI testing, prevention, and treatment, transitional and permanent supportive housing, forensic treatment, intensive case management, and research, evaluation, and development.

APAIT was established in 1987 and is a division of Special Service for Groups, a nonprofit health and human services organization established in 1952.

Learn more at www.apaitssg.org

Company Description

APAIT is a community based organization serving Los Angeles and Orange counties. APAIT’s mission is to positively impact the quality of life for vulnerable communities experiencing behavioral health challenges, housing insecurity, justice-involved individuals, victims of human trafficking, and those at risk for HIV/AIDS and sexual health issues.\r\n\r\nServices include individual and group mental health counseling, substance use prevention and treatment, harm reduction and syringe exchange program, HIV/STI testing, prevention, and treatment, transitional and permanent supportive housing, forensic treatment, intensive case management, and research, evaluation, and development.\r\n\r\nAPAIT was established in 1987 and is a division of Special Service for Groups, a nonprofit health and human services organization established in 1952. \r\n\r\nLearn more at www.apaitssg.org