Peer Support Specialist - Housing Health Partnership

Peer Support Specialist

Job Classification

Non-Exempt                       Pay Rate:  $19.00 p/hr             Shift:  Mon-Fri 9am-5pm

Position Overview

The Peer Support Specialist advances the Mission and Values of Community Human Services (CHS) by building, fostering, and inspiring excellence in the Agency’s ability to:

- Serve as the leading resource for homelessness support, information, and best practices and protocols in Southwestern Pennsylvania for the individuals served.

- Provide exceptional and compassionate social support services.

- Integrate the voice of consumers with program quality initiatives and services.

- Embrace and exhibit the highest ethical standards.

- Build an environment which is safe, confidential, and welcoming.

- Eliminate the devastating impact of stigma through cultural awareness and advocacy.

The Peer Support Specialist assists individuals throughout the recovery process, helping them gain skills, access resources, and regain the confidence to succeed in society. They assist with basic life skills and provide encouragement and guidance for engaging with activities to engender feelings of support and community. The Peer Support Specialist is expected to work and communicate directly with other staff members supportively and cooperatively, complete required documentation, manage crisis situations, and attend required training programs.

Key Responsibilities

- Assist program participants in the development of skills, confidence, and relationships as they resume independent living.

- Facilitate groups in an open and welcoming environment.

- Provide direct peer counseling based on your own lived experiences.

- Help participants understand and employ recovery strategies.

- Complete required written documentation in a timely manner. This includes incident reports, progress notes, goal record sheets, and other case record forms. Ensure that progress notes include the individual behaviors, activities, goal progress, any changes, daily interactions, needs, strengths, etc. to provide a thorough overview and ongoing log.

- Complete data entry of information into the agency database and any funder-specific site for reporting purposes on a timely basis.

- Understand and be responsible for performing all job duties in accordance with the agency and program policies and procedures. Identify appropriate procedures for various situations.

- Maintain the physical site by assisting participants or performing household duties and report any needed house-related repairs.

- Assist in cleaning the staff office and common spaces as needed.

- Ensure health and safety standards are met and maintained.

- Maintain an inviting and comfortable atmosphere in the office and common space.

- Attend necessary trainings and professional development sessions to enhance agency-wide knowledge. Attend a minimum of 15 hours per calendar year of training.

- Complete all job duties in accordance with the Mission and Values of CHS.

Organizational Expectations

- Seek out up-to-date information about CHS’s programs and services, as well as relevant local, regional, and national statistics that will inform and support our mission.

- Improve job knowledge by remaining aware of new regulations and best practices; participating in educational opportunities; reading professional publications; maintaining personal networks; participating in professional organizations.

- Embrace and exemplify organizational standards and guiding principles for processes, protocols, and utilization.

- Commit to CHS’s promise to sustain and extend diversity, equity, and inclusion.

- Contribute to efforts which build and reinforce CHS’s distinctive, effective, and ethical practices.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Through a combination of experience and education, the Peer Support Specialist will have:

- A valid PA driver's license and access to a reliable vehicle required.

- Ability to drive to various locations within Allegheny County to conduct community visits.

- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

- Exceptional customer service communication.

- Cultural competence with an ability to work with all backgrounds.

- Experience and ability to de-escalate mental and behavioral health crisis situations.

- Strong organizational, phone, and computer skills.

- A working knowledge of the social service system through life or job-related experience.

- A willingness to work both independently and collaboratively.

- Strong ability to navigate the Internet to familiarize and access various resources.

- Ability to work and travel independently.

Lived experience as it pertains to the participants CHS serves is required. Certification as a Peer Support Specialist is preferred but not required. Act 34 Criminal, Act 33 Child Abuse, and FBI Fingerprint clearances required upon hire. Applicants must possess current Comprehensive Crisis Management (CCM) and First Aid/CPR/AED certifications or be willing to obtain and maintain certifications upon hire.

Position Physical Demands

The Peer Support Specialist will be called upon to engage in physical activity related to general office work, including the capacity to lift up to 15lbs and stand or sit for extended periods. The Peer Support Specialist may be asked to walk up and down stairs and perform physical activity related to cooking, cleaning, and general household maintenance.

*This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. It is not an employment contract. Our company reserves the right to modify job duties or job descriptions at any time.