Peer Specialist

Abode • San Jose, CA

5d • $25 - $28 • Onsite

About The Position

Abode Services is seeking a part-time Peer Specialist for its Outreach program in San Jose, California. The position provides outreach, case management, and rehabilitative services to participants identified as frequent users of emergency, criminal justice, and other homelessness-related services. Participants may have serious mental health disorders, substance use disorders, and/or chronic health conditions. Working with the team, the Peer Specialist helps engage and house participants and connect them with wraparound clinical and community services.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Personal life experience with recovery from addiction, homelessness, and/or mental health recovery.
• Six months of field experience working with people experiencing homelessness.
• Bilingual in Spanish, Mandarin, Vietnamese, or Tagalog.
• Use of a personal vehicle; valid and current California driver's license and current insurance; 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, using a strengths-based approach that instills hope and promotes self-determination.
• Sensitivity to and understanding of the special needs of people experiencing homelessness.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office programs, systems, and platforms.
• Ability to learn and use required mobile devices and business-related applications.
• High emotional intelligence and cultural humility, with a track record of building and maintaining effective relationships with varied internal and external contacts.

Responsibilities

• Conduct outreach to locate referred homeless adults at locations including encampments, parks, shelters, treatment facilities, jails, and courts.
• Help re-engage enrolled participants who have lost contact with the team.
• Assist with client interviews and initial intakes; gather and assemble information; maintain records, files, and thorough, concise case notes.
• Help link participants with mental health, substance recovery, physical health care, financial assistance, education, employment, housing, advocacy, socialization, and other community services.
• Help participants establish goals and strategies for increased self-sufficiency and access public benefits such as General Assistance, Food Stamps, and SSI.
• Support participants navigating criminal justice and court systems, including advocating through interactions 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, including written case notes in BIRP format, and bill services to Medi-Cal.
• Assist the Program Manager, Clinical Supervisor, and other staff as needed, and perform other assigned duties.

Benefits

• 19 days of PTO per year, increasing with tenure.
• 12 paid holidays per year.
• Medical, dental, and vision coverage options for employees, described as 100% coverage.
• Employer-subsidized dependent health care options.
• Employee Assistance Program offering legal and financial services and more.
• 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