Job Description

About Us:

VOALA

HELPING OUR MOST VULNERABLE CHANGE THEIR LIFE STORIES

Volunteers of America is a non-profit human services organization committed to serving people in need, strengthening families, and building communities.  VOALA provides a variety of social services to Los Angeles area communities such as Head Start programs, Upward Bound college prep programs, veterans’ services, homeless shelters, low-income housing program as well as drug and alcohol rehabilitation. Learn more at www.voala.org.

BATTLE BUDDY VPAN

Battle Buddy provides a high quality, coordinated network of care that is easily accessible for Los Angeles County service members, veterans and their families through an enduring, world-class Veteran Peer Access Network (VPAN).  Our program’s wraparound services include the following: peer to peer assistance, transportation, moving assistance, emergency food boxes, hygiene kits, emergency financial assistance, and VA benefits linkage and information.  In addition, to ensure best practices the team tailors care coordination to all veterans by following up on a scheduled agreed basis throughout their journey to ensure successful connection of services.

JOB SUMMARY AND PURPOSE

As a staff member of the treatment team, the Peer Support Specialist II/Battle Buddy is an experienced and certified advocate who performs a wide range of tasks to assist peers in regaining independence within the community and mastery over their own recovery/reintegration process.  Based on similar experiences, this position offers the Veteran empathy, support, and advice as challenges are faced along the way.  Peer Support/Battle Buddies will provide outreach, support, mentoring/coaching that empowers Veteran and Military Families (MilFam), and shall work closely with Veteran and MilFam to establish relevant resource linkages. The Battle Buddy adds experience-based competencies and real-world examples that complement the training and expertise of the clinical staff members.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES 

• Share personal experiences, skills, strengths, ongoing support and resource referral in recovery from mental health and/or substance abuse issues.
• Accompany participants to appointments and meetings, housing searches, voucher application/issuance sessions, and any other veteran-centered activity.
• In coordination with the VPAN Squad Leader, assist participants in developing recovery plans with the skills, strengths, supports and resources to aid them in achieving goals and plans; work with case manager or treatment team in needed steps for self-directed recovery (most often within the home of the Veteran)
• Assist participants with setting up and sustaining self-help (mutual support) groups and with locating and joining existing groups
• Assist VPAN Squad Leader with helping the participants identify and eliminate barriers and maintain employment/housing/sobriety
• Performs integration with the County’s Coordinated Entry System for housing (CES), U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), and other Service Planning Area (SPA) based systems.

Qualifications

REQUIREMENTS:

• Must be able to pass a fingerprint clearance, background check, including criminal history, personal references, employment and education verifications

EDUCATION:

• High school diploma (or GED/High School Equivalence Certificate)  
• All VPAN  staff must complete 75 hours of evidence-based training(s) The training will include but not limited to:
  1. Veteran Administration Approved Peer Certification
  2. Risk Mitigation
  3. The Veteran Family Peer Navigator model training provided by UCLA
• Within 90 days of hire attend and complete 2-week VA Peer Certification training

EXPERIENCE:

• At least one year of experience providing social services _OR _similar leadership / volunteer / service experience
• Personal Military experience, or experience in recovery from mental health and/or substance abuse issues, or experience in homelessness and reintegration

KNOWLEDGE:

• Personal experience in recovery from mental health and/or substance abuse issues; or Personal experience with homelessness; knowledge of the barriers to housing

TECHNOLOGY SKILLS:

• Basic Microsoft operating system navigation, outlook, word, excel, power-point, internet browser.

SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Strong written and oral communication skills
• Must be flexible and willing to work weekends/evenings as necessary
• Able Public Speaker
• Ability to coach and mentor veterans/clients.
• Ability to perform under circumstances of possible emotional stress and conflict, including dealing with un-cooperative clients.
• Ability to safely and successfully perform the essential job functions consistent with the ADA, FMLA, and other federal, state, and local standards, with or without reasonable accommodation, including meeting qualitative and quantitative productivity standards.
• Ability to maintain regular, punctual attendance consistent with ADA, FMLA, and other federal, state, and local standards.

INTERPERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS:

• Client- focused, Prompt, collaborative/team player, regular attendance, adaptable, communicator, organized, consistent, compassionate, conflict resolution.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Military background and/or have had immediate family member(s) who served in the U.S. military strongly preferred
• Current California driver's license and clean driving record

Volunteers of America is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex including sexual orientation and gender identity, national origin, disability, protected Veteran Status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law

This employer participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form 1-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S.

If E-Verify cannot confirm that you are authorized to work, this employer is required to give you written instructions and an opportunity to contact Department of Homeland Security (OHS) or Social Security Administration (SSA) so you can begin to resolve the issue before the employer can take any action against you, including terminating your employment.