Peer Specialist

Abode • San Jose, CA

21d • $25 - $28 • Onsite

About The Position

Abode Services is hiring a part-time Peer Specialist for its 2nd Street Studios program in San Jose, California. The position works 20 hours per week, Tuesday through Friday, from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. The Peer Specialist provides outreach, case management, and rehabilitative services as part of a team that engages and houses participants and provides wraparound clinical services. Participants are identified as frequent users of emergency, criminal justice, and other homeless or county services, and may have serious mental health disorders, substance use disorders, and/or chronic health conditions.

The role involves finding and engaging people experiencing homelessness, helping participants reconnect with the team, supporting access to treatment and community services, and promoting self-sufficiency and recovery. The Peer Specialist also assists with intakes, records, service documentation, benefits access, court-system navigation, and program outcomes tracking. This is an onsite position.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Personal life experience with recovery from addiction, homelessness, and/or mental health challenges.
• Six months of field experience working with people experiencing homelessness.
• Personal vehicle, valid and current California driver's license, current insurance, and a clean DMV record.
• Excellent verbal and written communication, organizational, and time-management skills.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills and meticulous attention to detail.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively with teams.
• Understanding of and practice in cultural sensitivity.
• Experience building rapport and engaging participants who are difficult to serve.
• Ability to build supportive, respectful relationships with people with disabilities and/or people experiencing homelessness, instilling hope and promoting self-determination through a strengths-based approach.
• Sensitivity to and understanding of the special needs of people experiencing homelessness.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office programs, systems, and platforms.
• Ability to learn and use required mobile devices and business applications.
• High emotional intelligence and cultural humility, with a demonstrated ability to build and maintain effective relationships with diverse internal and external contacts.

Responsibilities

• Provide outreach and engagement to locate referred homeless adults in places such as encampments, parks, shelters, treatment facilities, jails, and courts.
• Help re-engage enrolled participants who have lost contact with the team.
• Assist with interviews and initial client intakes; gather and assemble information; maintain records and files; and write concise case notes.
• Link participants with community services for mental health, substance recovery, physical health care, financial assistance, education, employment, housing, advocacy, socialization, and other needs.
• Help participants establish goals and strategies to increase self-sufficiency and access public benefits such as General Assistance, Food Stamps, and SSI.
• Support participants navigating criminal justice and court systems, including advocacy with judges, court mental health staff, and public defenders.
• Help participants develop a Wellness Recovery Action Plan.
• Provide support, role modeling, and coaching to program participants.
• Attend clinical, administrative, and case-conferencing meetings as directed by the program supervisor.
• Enter data accurately and on time to support program evaluation and outcome tracking.
• Document services promptly and appropriately, including BIRP-format case notes, and bill services to Medi-Cal.
• Assist the Program Manager, Clinical Supervisor, and other staff as needed.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• 19 days of paid time off per year, increasing with tenure.
• 12 paid holidays per year.
• Employee medical, dental, and vision coverage options described as 100% coverage.
• Employer-subsidized dependent health care options.
• Employee Assistance Program with legal and financial services.
• Mental health care service through Teledoc.
• Flexible Spending Account options for commuter, health care, and dependent care expenses.
• 403(b) retirement plan with employer match and contribution programs.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Part-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED