Peer Specialist

Services for the Underserved•New York, NY

13d•$45,000 - $50,000

About The Position

Position Overview The Peer Specialist (Peer) is a member of the HLPS Housing Team that develops and executes housing navigation and placement services including follow-up post placement for referred clients. Together with the Case Manager, the Peer will support the client in understanding the process, navigating eligibility, preparing and completing the move, trouble-shooting incidents, and being a consistent supportive resource. The Peer coaches clients for housing interviews, accompanies them on housing tours, assists with completing housing paperwork.

Requirements

High School Diploma or General Equivalency Diploma.

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of housing subsidies and supportive housing programs in NYC.
Experience working with homeless individuals and people living with health and/or mental health issues and substance use a plus.
Ability to engage residents.
Excellent customer-service skills.
Must be detailed orientated and organized and demonstrate an ability to multitask and meet multiple demands and deadlines.
A willingness to travel throughout the five boroughs and make multiple visits in the community as needed.
Sporadic evening or weekend hours may be required.
Track record of effective collaboration supporting clients of diverse backgrounds.
Demonstrated commitment to quality and data-driven reporting as applicable.
Excellent public-facing customer service skills.
Strong written and verbal communication skills.
Bilingual (or multi-lingual) preferred.
Action-oriented, entrepreneurial, flexible, and innovative approach to interacting with and supporting clients.

Responsibilities

Provide information and resources to clients during all phases of the housing search.
Provide guidance with the application process and assist with completing paperwork and housing applications as needed.
Act as client’s support and advocate throughout the entire process.
Provide escort to apartment viewings as required.
Provide accurate, complete, and timely data entry and other documentation of all interactions and assessments with clients.
Assist the client in completing applications and paperwork for public entitlements and may accompany client on visits to agency offices and treatment programs.
Act as a liaison with community and governmental agencies.
Assist the client with activities of daily living if needed (e.g., setting-up household, public transportation, budgeting, shopping, socializing, parenting and other skills relevant to an individual’s rehabilitation goals).
May make home visits.
If needed, assist the client in identifying their own individual warning signs of relapse and identifying and developing individual coping strategies or in making referrals for treatment or further support.
If needed, provide supportive peer counseling with respect to mental health, substance use, rehabilitation strategies and harm reduction supports.
Attend staff meetings, case conferences, group supervision, and professional development activities such as in-service trainings, seminars, webinars, and conferences as needed.
Work with other consortium partners as necessary.
Support an environment that embeds diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA).
Participate in workplace culture that inspires high-level performance, collaboration, accountability, and professional and respectful interaction.
Employ best practices for effective feedback and communication at all levels of staff engagement.
Perform all job-related tasks as required.