Peer Support Specialist

Victory Programs Inc • Boston, MA

11d • Onsite

About The Position

The Peer Support Specialist coordinates educational and peer support programming for Boston Living Center members and delivers services that support ongoing engagement and retention. The role is based at the Boston Living Center, a non-residential community center and resource program in Boston’s Back Bay serving people living with chronic health conditions, including HIV/AIDS, substance use disorder, homelessness, food insecurity, and risks related to street-based trauma. The position reports to the Milieu Engagement Manager for support and supervision.

The specialist supports members through housing navigation, service connections, harm reduction counseling and supplies, groups and workshops, outreach, follow-up, and intake. The role also involves relationship-building, crisis de-escalation, accurate and timely electronic health record documentation, required training and supervision, and participation in agency and community events. Work is full-time, on-site, Monday to Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., at $26.00 per hour.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Two years of experience working in harm reduction, community health, or human services.
• Personal experience accepting an HIV diagnosis, learning to live with HIV and its daily challenges, and attaining a level of personal growth and healing that supports helping others.
• Phlebotomy and specimen collection training or certification, or willingness to be trained.
• Working knowledge of HIV/AIDS and viral hepatitis, homelessness, substance use, STIs, sex work, and health-related social issues faced by people who use drugs.
• Competency working with people across diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds, sexual orientations, gender identities, sexes and drug cultures, age groups, religions, countries of origin, disabilities, and economic statuses.
• Excellent verbal communication skills, including the ability to have open and affirming conversations about sex and substance use risk.
• Ability to work around potentially hazardous materials, including blood-borne pathogens and discarded syringes, and in situations requiring safety precautions or protective equipment.
• Prior experience in a milieu or drop-in environment serving people experiencing homelessness and/or people who use drugs.
• Proficient computer skills.
• CPR certification; may be obtained upon hire.
• Completed TB screening; may be obtained upon hire.
• Three work-related professional references, at least two from a manager or supervisor.

Nice To Haves

• Conversational Spanish.
• Previous experience in nonviolent crisis intervention, de-escalation, and milieu management.

Responsibilities

• Follow Victory Programs, Inc.’s Standards of Excellence and Philosophy of Care, maintaining professional ethics, boundaries, client confidentiality, and a strength-based approach.
• Support clients with housing navigation and resources to address barriers.
• Connect members to services through individual and group support and referrals.
• Provide verbal and written harm reduction counseling on safer injection practices, wound care, overdose prevention, sexual health, vein and abscess care, and infectious disease prevention.
• Provide syringe services, naloxone, and harm reduction supplies to people at risk of overdose or infectious disease transmission.
• Recruit, plan, and facilitate groups and workshops related to HIV/AIDS health, social support, and other community issues.
• Follow up with members through milieu support, phone calls, and wellness checks.
• Coordinate and complete outreach and recruitment activities for identified populations of focus.
• Participate in intake and orientation for new members.
• Build relationships and use nonviolent crisis intervention, motivational interviewing, and conflict de-escalation as needed in the milieu.
• Comply with agency data collection and record management protocols, including documenting services in the electronic health record within 24 hours.
• Maintain good standing with agency- and funder-required training.
• Attend weekly supervision, monthly staff meetings, and professional development training and workshops as requested by the supervisor.
• Participate in and support program events, State House rallies, fundraising and advocacy events, walks, and other functions.

Benefits

• Employer contribution of 75% of health insurance premiums.
• Employer contribution of 25% of dental insurance premiums.
• Employer-paid disability insurance.
• Employer-paid life insurance.
• Paid time off for employees working 20 or more hours per week, including vacation, sick, and personal time, as well as holidays.
• Upon hire, eligible employees may receive up to 4 personal days, 160 sick hours, 10 holidays, and 3 1/2 weeks of vacation; amounts adjust based on full-time or part-time status, and vacation allocation increases with length of employment.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: High school or GED