Veteran Peer Navigator

Services For The Underserved, Inc.•New York, NY

22h•$55,000 - $60,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Veteran Peer Navigator (VPN) must have served in the United States Armed Forces in Active, Reserve, or National Guard service. The VPN provides day-to-day support to veteran households and assists with outreach, engagement, and service delivery to veteran applicants and participants across the five boroughs of New York City. Using lived experience as a peer and role model, the VPN helps participants navigate SSVF services and community-based supports, advocates for their needs and desired outcomes, and works with the S:US SSVF team to empower veterans pursuing housing stability. The role requires high mobility to meet and support applicants and participants throughout all stages of the SSVF program. The VPN supports participants in defining and achieving goals related to homelessness prevention, rapid rehousing, income and benefits, and housing stability. They coordinate and follow up on referrals to housing, health, employment, and other community services; maintain knowledge of VA and community resources; accompany veterans to appointments; and assist with screening, assessments, Housing Stability Plans, and recertifications. The VPN documents participant and applicant engagement, maintains confidentiality and professional boundaries, participates in team meetings and training, and provides respectful, high-quality service. The position involves working in an office and at sites across NYC five days a week, with daily travel between locations as needed. The VPN must be willing to travel in the field up to 80% of the time and attend occasional events outside normal business hours. The role serves a vibrant and diverse population of veteran households and represents the agency to participants, funders, referral agencies, and other stakeholders.

Requirements

Must be a veteran of the United States military.
Must be able to travel via public transit to engage veterans across the S:US service area.
Ability to communicate effectively with people served, S:US team members, and other stakeholders.
Effective written and oral communication skills.
Must be able and willing to work with a vibrant and diverse population of veteran households.
Must be able to work in an office setting and at sites across NYC five days a week and travel between work sites as needed.
Must be willing and able to travel in the field to engage veterans up to 80% of the time.
Must be willing and able to attend occasional events outside normal business hours.

Nice To Haves

Basic computer skills, including MS Office suite and Windows.
Self-motivated and resourceful.
Strong verbal communication skills.
Bilingual English/Spanish is a plus.
Ability to work both as a team player and independently.
Knowledge of local resources, veteran entitlements, or other benefits is a plus.

Responsibilities

Assist SSVF participants in defining, planning, and achieving goals related to homelessness prevention, rapid rehousing, income and benefits maximization, and housing stability.
Collaborate with veterans and their SSVF primary workers and other team members to support housing stability goals.
Provide resources and referrals, particularly for VA services and entitlements, public benefits, and legal services.
Coordinate internal and external referrals for housing, health navigation, employment, and core services for veteran families.
Help participants access community services, including housing, employment, medical and behavioral healthcare, vocational services, food, clothing, and community services, through referrals and follow-up.
Maintain knowledge of VA and community resources and help participants navigate those services.
Encourage participants’ professional, educational, and personal growth when appropriate.
Advocate for veteran families and support self-advocacy throughout their services.
Participate in community outreach to promote SSVF services, educate veterans, and recruit participants.
Accompany veterans to appointments at DSS, VA, SSA, court, shelter, GPD, and other locations.
Document engagements with participants and applicants according to VA and S:US standards, including case notes and contact logs.
Maintain confidentiality and professional boundaries according to S:US and funder standards.
Attend and actively participate in team meetings, supervision, and training.
Respond promptly, accurately, courteously, and respectfully to veteran and program needs.
Support team members in daily service delivery through positive modeling, peer counseling, support, and encouragement.
Screen and assess applicants for S:US Veterans Services.
Assist with developing Housing Stability Plans and completing participant follow-up recertifications.
Participate in S:US Veterans Service Fairs and other events.
Travel in the field to engage veterans, potentially up to 80% of the time, and attend occasional events outside normal business hours.
Represent the agency and its programs professionally to funders, participants, potential customers, referring agencies, network members, and other stakeholders.
Deliver high-quality customer service.
Work in an office setting and at sites across NYC five days a week, traveling between locations daily when needed.
Perform other program-related duties as assigned by the Program Director and management team.