Job Description

Job Summary

The Peer Specialist works as a team member with several social service professional and paraprofessional staff ensuring the delivery of quality care in accordance to the rules and regulations established for contracted agencies as well as adhering to the mission of St. Joseph Center.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

The Peer Advocate’s key areas of responsibility include: 

Key Areas of Responsibility:

• Assist and support clients in maintaining cooperative and effective relationships with case managers and landlords.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES:

• Provide extra support and assistance to clients with accessing resources in the community.
• Participate in staff meetings, training, conferences, program evaluation and program development.
• Perform wellness checks on existing clients and on all new referrals.
• Coordinate social, educational and recreational activities for clients.
• Initiate peer-led groups and events for clients.
• Listen attentively to client complaints and suggestions and address their issues fairly and professionally, coordinate with immediate supervisor for supervision.
• Establish working and positive relationships with community providers.
• Conduct interactions with clients and other professional in a respectful and courteous manner.
• Maintain appropriate and professional relationships with clients and staff.
• Adhere to housing first and harm reduction model of peer advocacy with clients.
• The position requires an ability to work flexible hours including some early mornings and evenings.

Other duties and responsibilities may be assigned. The duties and responsibilities listed are designed to provide typical examples of the work performed; not all duties and responsibilities assigned are included here, nor is it expected that all similar positions will be assigned every duty and responsibility.

Qualifications

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES:

• Must be highly motivated and a self-starter. 
• Must have the ability to communicate with and relate to a diverse group of people including clients, community, and other staff. 
• Must have excellent organizational skills. 
• Must demonstrate cooperative and professional behavior at all times and maintain a professional appearance.
• A bilingual background is a plus.

EXPERIENCE:

• Lived experience receiving services for mental health, homelessness and/or substance use. 
• Experience and general knowledge of working with individuals who may be mentally ill, HIV positive, and/or have chemical dependency issues is highly desired.

EDUCATION:

• A combination of education in psychology, social work or a related field, as well as lived experience related to this position.

DIRECT REPORTS:

• This position has no direct supervisory responsibilities.

COMPUTER SKILLS:

• High proficiency in MS Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook) and widely supported internet browsers.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES AND REGISTRATIONS:

• Valid California Class C Driver License or the ability to utilize an alternative method of transportation when needed to carry out job-related essential functions.
• Valid automobile liability insurance.

TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS:

• Must have car and be able to drive to clients.

 WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.  The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand, sit, walk, stoop, talk, hear, reach above and below shoulders; use hand and finger dexterity, keyboarding and making and receiving telephone calls. The employee may be required on occasion to lift and or carry up to 20 lbs.

Additional Information

Status: Full-Time/Non-Exempt 

Salary: DOE

Employment with St. Joseph Center is contingent on completion of satisfactory background check.

For consideration, please submit cover letter and resume. St. Joseph Center (SJC) is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to their race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, status as a protected veteran or any other characteristic protected under federal law. In addition to federal law requirements, SJC complies with applicable state and local laws governing non-discrimination in every location in which the company has facilities.  This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.

All applicants for employment are invited to voluntarily self-identify their gender, race, ethnicity, and veteran status, by completing the EEO Information. Providing your EEO Information is voluntary and refusal to self-identify will not subject applicants to any adverse treatment. Similarly, applicants who do self-identify will not be subject to any adverse treatment based on the information they provide.

St. Joseph center invites you to review the current "EEO is The Law" poster as part of the application process. A link to the current poster is located here.

 https://www.dol.gov/ofccp/regs/compliance/posters/pdf/eeopost.pdf