Peer Support Counselor
About The Position
The Peer Support Counselor is a full-time overnight team member at Building Bridges (B2), a collaborative homeless resource center in Ukiah that provides shelter and housing-related services to individuals and families experiencing a housing crisis. B2 uses a low-barrier approach and works with community agencies to help guests access support and resources. The counselor assists guests with shelter, laundry and shower facilities, housing resources, and other available services. The role includes discussing housing goals with guests, offering support and encouragement, and helping maintain a safe, stable, supportive, and sanitary environment. The position calls for compassion, empathy, patience, and respect when serving people from diverse backgrounds, including people experiencing homelessness, trauma, and other life challenges. Strong customer service and collaboration skills are important. This position works overnight shifts, 40 hours per week. The facility is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and the role may require a flexible schedule, including weekends and occasional schedule flexibility to meet client needs. The employee may work across agency programs as needed. The position requires a valid California driver’s license, current auto insurance, a clean DMV record with no more than three points, a clear DOJ and FBI background check, CPR and First Aid certification, and a TB exam and physical at employment. Comprehensive benefits are available.
Requirements
- High school diploma or GED.
- At least one year of experience in work related to homelessness, social services, hospitality, mental health, substance use, or a similar area.
- Must be at least 21 years old.
- Ability to work a flexible schedule, including weekends.
- Valid California driver’s license, current auto insurance, and a clean DMV printout with no more than three points.
- Must pass DOJ and FBI background checks.
- CPR and First Aid certified.
- TB exam and physical at the time of employment.
- Ability to work respectfully and patiently with people from diverse backgrounds, including individuals experiencing homelessness, trauma, and other life challenges.
- Strong customer service skills and ability to collaborate with diverse staff, guests, and community partners.
Nice To Haves
- Lived or personal experience with homelessness.
- Ability to speak or fluency in Spanish or American Sign Language (ASL).
- Training in harm reduction, Housing First, trauma-informed, or low-barrier service models.
Responsibilities
- Monitor guest interactions and behavior, intervening as needed to maintain a safe, stable, and supportive environment.
- Provide guidance and reminders to help guests follow facility policies.
- Walk throughout the building and around the facility perimeter to conduct safety and security checks.
- Engage with guests as needed and intervene in disruptive incidents.
- Intervene and de-escalate situations that could lead to dangerous behavior.
- Recommend or initiate non-physical measures to redirect behavior.
- Communicate with the on-call supervisor for assistance, direction, and incident reporting as required by policy.
- Provide services consistent with person-centered, strength-based, low-barrier, harm-reduction, and Housing First principles.
- Focus on guests’ underlying needs rather than maladaptive behaviors they may exhibit to get those needs met.
- Maintain knowledge about substance use and the effects of various substances.
- Seek information and training on current best practices for harm-reduction interventions.
- Learn the signs of an overdose and administer Narcan/Naloxone when appropriate for opioid overdoses.
- Assist guests with accessing shelter, laundry and shower facilities, housing resources, and other available services.
- Discuss housing goals with guests and provide support and encouragement.
- Help maintain a safe, stable, supportive, and sanitary environment.
Benefits
- Comprehensive benefits package available.
- Additional hourly differential may be available for qualifying Spanish bi-cultural language skills: $1.00 per hour.
- Additional hourly differential may be available for qualifying ASL bimodal bilingualism: $1.00 per hour.
- Additional hourly differential may be available for qualifying ASL bimodal multilingualism: $2.00 per hour.
- Overnight/graveyard stay-awake shift differential: $1.00 per hour.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Entry Level
Education Level
High school or GED
