Peer Support Specialist

Nevada Partnership For Homeless Youth • Las Vegas, NV

2d

About The Position

Nevada Partnership for Homeless Youth is seeking an enthusiastic and driven Peer Support Specialist. This candidate will provide services to young adults, ages 18-24, with an awareness of, sensitivity to, and respect for diversity of culture, ethnicity, gender identity, physical and mental abilities, sexual orientation, race, and spirituality or religion. This position will be responsible for engaging and interacting with all enrolled Transitional Housing - Rapid Rehousing Joint Program youth and providing additional support and guidance for housing readiness and stabilization, life skills, service provision, and connections to community networks. This position will also facilitate youth-specific workshops and organize recreational and social events.

Requirements

• High School Diploma or equivalent preferred.
• Must be between the ages of 18 - 25.
• Must have experienced homelessness/housing crisis.
• Must have a valid driver’s license and clear driving history records.
• Able to maintain a high level of professional and ethical standards.
• Strong engagement and interpersonal skills.

Nice To Haves

• Experience working with homelessness, substance abuse, mental health and/or trauma-informed settings preferred.
• An understanding of the LGBTQ community and issues specific to the young adult population.
• Personal vehicle preferred.

Responsibilities

• Work alongside and support the case management staff to identify areas of need that the youth served may have and support program participants in addressing those needs.
• Serve as a link of communication between the TH-RRH Case Managers and youth.
• Provide support to the youth and their case manager during the youth’s transition into housing, such as housing exploration and apartment viewings.
• Accompany youth to appointments, grocery shopping, etc., as needed, and help identify resources around their community.
• Work and support the youth to gain education/career-oriented skills and assist in meeting their service plan goals.
• Participate in and facilitate focus groups and events and encourage and support youth in their involvement in those activities, including running one regular group or workshop targeting the youth served.
• Work with the youth on individualized household management skills, life skills, conflict resolution, or other needs as identified by youth and their Case Manager.
• Collaborate with Program Managers and TH-RRH Case Managers for the continued development, motivation, and mentorship of program participants.
• Create, maintain, and update a youth resource handbook for participants in the TH-RRH program detailing different community resources identified such as schools, housing and legal resources, medical and/or mental health, food pantries and any other resources or opportunities for youth participating in the program.
• Assist other program staff in developing and maintaining community linkages necessary to facilitate referrals.
• Maintain an effective working relationship with external community partners and maintain steady communication and rapport with the program staff.
• Participate in staff meetings, trainings, and come prepared for weekly supervision meetings with the Director of Programs.
• Actively assist and participate in all program activities and special events, including attending all agency-required meetings and sharing relevant information with clients.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date physical case files as well as inputting all case notes and service placements into HMIS by end of shift.
• Assist with the practice and implementation of affirming LGBTQ practices within the program.
• Carry out other duties as assigned by Program Managers and/or Director of Programs.

Benefits

• The Nevada Partnership for Homeless Youth offers a competitive benefits program, including three weeks of Paid Personal Leave and fourteen paid holidays per year.
• NPHY also offers fully paid medical, dental, vision, and life insurance plans for its regular full-time employees.
• Employees can also participate in a company-sponsored 403(b) retirement plan with up to 3% match and voluntary insurance plans.
• NPHY is also proud to offer holistic benefits to invest in YOU, click here for more information.

What This Job Offers

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