Case manager/Peer Support

Central Oregon Veterans Outreach•Bend, OR

About The Position

Provide case management and peer support to veterans residing at Veterans Village, a temporary shelter program. Help residents identify strengths, set personal goals, access services, and transition to stable housing. Coordinate care with the Village Coordinator, COVO staff, and community partners while supporting resident safety, dignity, recovery, and independence. The role provides client-centered, trauma-informed, strengths-based services that respect resident choice and individual goals. It includes resident intake and orientation, assessment of housing and related needs, individualized housing stabilization planning, assistance with applications and referrals, regular progress reviews, and planning for discharge and transition to permanent housing. It also includes peer support, resident engagement, life-skills development, group or activity facilitation as assigned, and connection to professional services when needed. The position supports a safe shelter environment, follows COVO emergency, confidentiality, safety, and resident-rights procedures, and reports and documents incidents. It maintains accurate confidential case records and participates in staff meetings, case conferences, training, veteran events, and community collaborations. Work is primarily at Veterans Village, with duties potentially in office, community, and outdoor settings and resident transportation or accompaniment. In-person interaction, computer use, and movement throughout the Village and community are required. Evening or weekend work and after-hours crisis response may be required when specifically assigned under an established coverage schedule; local and tri-county travel may also be required.

Requirements

Verifiable experience serving people experiencing homelessness or other at-risk populations; relevant internships, on-the-job training, and volunteer experience may be considered.
Relevant Peer Support Specialist training and certification appropriate to assigned services, with the ability to maintain required credentials and continuing education.
Ability to establish supportive relationships and work effectively with veterans and individuals of diverse backgrounds, experiences, and abilities.
Knowledge of Central Oregon community resources, or demonstrated ability to learn and navigate those resources.
Effective communication, problem-solving, organization, documentation, and basic computer skills.
Understanding of confidential information, professional boundaries, and appropriate information sharing.
Ability to collaborate with internal and external partners, manage competing priorities, and recognize when to seek supervisory assistance.
Valid Oregon driver’s license, satisfactory driving record, and current vehicle insurance meeting Oregon minimum liability requirements when using a personal vehicle for work.
Ability to perform the in-person, computer-use, and movement duties described for the role; reasonable accommodations may be made for individuals with disabilities.

Nice To Haves

Experience serving veterans, veteran families, or people experiencing homelessness.
Experience with shelter services, housing navigation, case management, peer support, or recovery services.
Familiarity with VA services, community healthcare resources, and electronic client record systems.

Responsibilities

Provide client-centered, trauma-informed, strengths-based services that respect resident choice and individual goals.
Participate in resident intake and orientation, explain program expectations, and help residents understand available services.
Assess housing barriers and residents' healthcare, behavioral health, social support, benefits, income, employment, daily living, and other needs affecting housing stability.
Develop individualized Housing Stabilization Plans with measurable goals, action steps, responsible parties, and target dates.
Assist residents with housing applications, identification documents, benefits, transportation, employment resources, and referrals for legal assistance, credit issues, healthcare, and other services.
Coordinate with the VA, housing providers, treatment providers, COVO staff, the Village Coordinator, and community partners, obtaining required consent before sharing information.
Meet regularly with residents, track progress and referral outcomes, and update plans as needs or circumstances change.
Plan for discharge and transition to permanent housing; provide monthly follow-up after placement when assigned and consistent with program requirements and resident consent.
Build trusting relationships through respectful listening, encouragement, and appropriate use of relevant lived experience within the peer support role.
Support residents in identifying strengths, advocating for their needs, making informed choices, and developing self-directed recovery and wellness goals.
Model and teach practical skills for daily living, communication, problem-solving, conflict resolution, and successful tenancy.
Encourage healthy relationships, community participation, recovery resources, and positive support networks.
Provide individual peer support and facilitate groups or resident activities as assigned; accompany residents to appointments or community meetings when needed.
Observe changes in resident well-being, discuss concerns respectfully, and connect residents with appropriate professional services; refer clinical needs to qualified providers.
Support a safe, respectful shelter environment and reinforce Veterans Village expectations consistently in coordination with the Village Coordinator.
Use de-escalation skills within training, follow COVO emergency procedures, contact emergency services when needed, and promptly notify designated leadership.
Immediately report safety concerns, harassment, threats, suspected abuse, and significant incidents; document incidents and actions taken according to COVO procedures.
Maintain professional boundaries and follow COVO confidentiality, safety, and resident-rights procedures.
Refer admission, discharge, program exception, and other decisions outside assigned authority to the Village Coordinator and Executive Director.
Maintain accurate, timely, objective case notes, service plans, referrals, progress updates, and incident reports in confidential resident records and designated COVO databases.
Protect resident information, use authorized systems for storing and sharing records, and maintain documentation needed for service continuity and program reporting.
Participate in weekly staff meetings, daily case management meetings as scheduled, case conferences, and coordinated service planning.
Provide clear handoffs and promptly communicate unresolved needs, missed appointments, housing barriers, and emerging concerns.
Attend assigned training, veteran events, and community collaborations to maintain resource knowledge and strengthen referral relationships.
Perform other related duties as assigned.