About Job

JOB TITLE: Peer Support Specialist

REPORTS TO: Nest56 Program Manager

SUPERVISES: N/A

FLSA STATUS: Full Time/Non-Exempt

DEPARTMENT: Nest56

LOCATION: Denver, CO

SCHEDULE: Monday-Friday, 12pm-8pm

ABOUT TGTHR:

TGTHR (formerly Attention Homes), has established a continuum of care aiming to ensure that youth feel safe, affirmed, comfortable, secure and valued. TGTHR has been committed to ending youth homelessness for 55 years by providing youth with access to a place to live, employment, education, wellness and a supportive community.

For more information, visit .

SUMMARY OF POSITION:

TGTHR seeks a Peer Support Specialist with lived experience with homelessness and mental health and/or substance misuse and is housed and in recovery. The Peer Specialist is willing to use and share their personal, practical experience, knowledge, and first-hand insight to benefit clients and their support team. The Peer Support Specialist will provide assistance, support, and advocacy for clients, identifying life choices and helping them overcome obstacles to achieve their goals. Focusing on the clients’ strengths, the Peer Support Specialist will promote personal growth, development, and recovery. Using their lived experience, the Peer Support Specialist will support clients with the transition from homelessness to being housed. This position reports to the Nest56 Program Manager.

Key Area #1 - One to One Peer Support

Provides individual peer support, drawing on common experiences as a peer, to validate clients’ experiences and to provide guidance and encouragement to clients to take responsibility and actively participate in their own recovery.
Helps clients identify, understand, and combat stigma and discrimination associated with mental health, substance misuse and homelessness and develop strategies to reduce self-stigma.
Maintains a work environment that is marked by respect for others; that values inclusiveness, and that fosters cooperation and teamwork.
Appropriately responds to crises as they arise in a trauma-informed manner.
Solicits, listens and responds to client feedback about services.
Assist chronically homeless individuals with their transition into housing, provide support to help maintain housing.
Facilitates connections to substance misuse programs and to on-site/telehealth mental health resources.

Key Area #2 - Group Support

Works to create a supportive working environment that encourages trauma-informed and culturally competent interactions that build collaboration and create a kind and respectful atmosphere.
Facilitates group peer support for residents, drawing on common experiences as a peer, to validate clients’ experiences, and to provide guidance and encouragement to clients to take responsibility and actively participate in their own recovery.

Key Area #3 - Data Collection and Documentation

Maintains and ensures the confidentiality of all client information.
Completes all necessary documentation in Salesforce in a timely manner.
Completes all required forms and reports in a complete and timely manner.

Key Area #4 - Professionalism and Teamwork

Understands and follows the related policies and procedures of the organization.
Attends required meetings and regular supervision, focusing on mastering the core competencies of the Peer Support Specialist profession.
Attends and participates in formal and informal staff meetings and addresses client and program issues.
Provides excellent internal and external customer service and communicates in a professional, timely, and effective manner.
Actively participates, collaborates, and contributes to the multidisciplinary team to promote a team culture in which each client’s point of view, experiences, and preferences are recognized, understood and respected, and in which client self-determination and decision-making in service planning are maximized and supported.

Other Responsibilities

Complete other special duties and tasks as assigned by management.
We are a dynamic and growing team and at times everyone is required to do a bit of everything. You may be asked to take on other responsibilities from time to time, but these should not get in the way of your ultimate responsibility which is supporting the clients.

PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS

Required:

Prior or current recipient of mental health, substance and/or homeless services, with the ability to role model recovery
Participation in their own recovery by way of active membership in a consumer advocacy or self-help group. Two (2) years or more in recovery is preferred. All pathways are honored.
At least one year of being successfully housed.
Time management with the ability to meet a timeline
Excellent written and verbal communication
Administrative Skills/ Experience in operating computerized office equipment and telephones
Conflict Mediation/Resolution Skills
Ability to relate to people from diverse backgrounds and experience
Trauma-Informed approach
Creativity and flexibility
Resilience and the ability to stay calm and focused while working under pressure
Anti-racist, anti-oppression lens
Education: High School Diploma or GED required
Proof of COVID-19 vaccine or are able to receive one within seven weeks of hire
Ability to sit for long periods of time while also performing typing duties
Ability to lift a minimum of 30 lbs.
Ability to lift, bend, stoop, kneel, crouch, push and other strenuous activities
Moving up and down stairs throughout shift
Reliable transportation is required
Preferred:
Bilingual: English/Spanish is a plus
One year or more of volunteer and/or paid experience in an applicable field is preferred
Prior experience working with youth and/or vulnerable populations
Customer service experience
Experience with Salesforce