Peer Specialist - Outreach & Engagement Division

  • Full-time

Company Description

Background

Since 1976, St. Joseph Center has been meeting the needs of low-income and homeless individuals and families in Venice, Santa Monica, Mar Vista, and surrounding communities.  The Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit community organization that assists people without regard for religious affiliation or lack thereof through comprehensive case management and integrated social service programs.  The Center enjoys broad-based community support as well as a sponsored relationship with its founders, the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet.  St. Joseph Center serves approximately 6,000 individuals annually.

Brief Description of Principal Activities

Multifaceted intervention, prevention, and education services are carried out at four sites on the Westside of Los Angeles.  St. Joseph Center’s integrated programs provide clients with concentrated and coordinated access to services according to the nature of their needs.

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 Specialist’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; and
  • Adhere to housing first and harm reduction model of peer advocacy with clients.

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

QUALIFICATIONS

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

  • Must be highly motivated and a self-starter.  The ability to communicate with and relate to a diverse group of people including clients, community, and other staff.  Must have excellent organizational skills. 
  • Demonstrate cooperative and professional behavior at all times and maintain a professional appearance.
  • A bilingual background is a plus.
  • The position requires an ability to work flexible hours including some early mornings and evenings.

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.

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 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, or status as a protected veteran. 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