Background

Since 1976, St. Joseph Center has been meeting the needs of low-income and homeless individuals and families in Venice and throughout Los Angeles County.  The Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit community organization that assists people without regard for religious affiliation or lack thereof through 20+ programs in four pillars of service: Outreach and Engagement, Housing Services, Mental Health, and Education and Vocational Training.  St. Joseph Center serves more than 10,000 people each year. 

Brief Description of Principal Activities

Multifaceted intervention, prevention, mental health, and housing assistance is offered through street outreach and 9 service sites throughout Los Angeles County. St. Joseph Center also provides on-site services at five permanent supportive housing developments, and will provide services at an additional six more sites in the coming year.  St. Joseph Center’s total holistic approach to services provide our clients with the help they need to regain their stability.

Job Summary

The Peer Specialist works as a team member of a multi-disciplinary street-based outreach team including several social service professional and paraprofessional staff to ensure the delivery of quality care in accordance with the rules and regulations established by the Department of Health Services for contracted agencies while also adhering to the mission of St. Joseph Center. 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

The Peer Specialist’s key areas of responsibility include: 

Key Areas of Responsibility:

• Provide extra support and assistance to homeless clients with accessing resources in the community. 
• Establish and maintain professional and positive relationships with staff, clients, and community providers.    
• Adhere to housing first, trauma informed care and harm reduction model of advocacy with clients.
• Conduct interactions with clients and other professionals in a respectful and courteous manner.

Listen attentively to client complaints and suggestions and address their issues fairly and professionally, coordinate with immediate supervisor for supervision. 

Essential Duties:

• Perform wellness checks on existing clients and on all new referrals.
• Assist and support clients in maintaining cooperative and effective relationships with case managers and landlords.
• Coordinate social, educational, and recreational activities for clients.
• Initiate peer-led groups and events for clients.   
• Participate in staff meetings, trainings, conferences, program evaluation and program development.
• May be dispatched via county-wide 211 referral system as needed.
• The position requires the ability to work flexible hours including some early morning, evenings, and weekends.

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.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Must be highly motivated and a self-starter. 
• Must have strong communication skills and the ability to relate to a diverse group of people including clients, community, and other staff. 
• Must have excellent organizational skills. 
• Must have knowledge of how to work with low income and homeless individuals. 
• Must have knowledge of how to work effectively in a harm reduction environment.     
• Must always demonstrate cooperative and professional behavior.
• Must maintain a professional appearance.   
• Must have a strong ability to motivate others.
• Must be able to collaborate and work as a team player with members of the team and the organization.
• Leadership skills are a plus.
• Must be able to walk long distances.

Experience:

• Must have 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.   
• A bilingual/bicultural background is a plus.

Education:

• Must have 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:

• Proficiency in MS Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook)
• Ability to use 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:

• Team travels to different locations throughout Culver City and surrounding areas in a car.

Work Environment:

The work environment will be primarily field based. 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.

Status: Full-Time/Exempt

Salary: DOE

Benefits:

Excellent Benefits package available.

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

For consideration, please submit cover letter and resume. 

EEO:

St. Joseph Center provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetics, status as a veteran or any other characteristic protected under federal law. In addition to federal law requirements, SJC complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment 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.

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  below. https://www.eeoc.gov/employers/eeo-law-poster