Veteran Peer Navigator

Services For The Underserved, Inc.•North Amityville, NY

2d•$50,000 - $55,000

About The Position

I. SCOPE OF ROLE:The Senior Veteran Peer Navigator has a lead role in peer support for veteran families who are connected with the S:US Supportive Services for Veteran Families Program, and helps connect stakeholders and participants to internal and external resources to help them reach their goals. The Senior Veteran Peer Navigator (VPN) must have served in the United States Armed Forces (Active, Reserve, or National Guard service) or be an immediate family member of a Veteran/Service Member and be a role model and exemplary peer support for participants/applicants in the program and their fellow veterans on staff. They will provide management to VPNs on staff and offer day-to-day support to veteran households while assisting with outreach, engagement and service delivery to veteran applicants and participants across the five boroughs of NYC. They play an active role in the Veteran program participant’s case as they pursue housing stability. The Senior VPN will function as a role model and peer, using their lived expertise to aid the Veteran household as they navigate through SSVF services and community-based supports. The Senior VPN advocates for participants and supports their unique needs and desired service outcomes. The Senior Veteran Peer Navigator is expected to be highly mobile to engage, meet with, navigate and support participants and applicants through all stages of the SSVF program. They work in-tandem with the other members of the S:US SSVF team to deliver core supportive services within the program and to empower veterans as they work towards housing stability. II. ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:Leadership• Manage and coach Veteran Peer Navigators to strengthen their service delivery, creating individualized plans that ensure consistent competencies across their areas of responsibility.• Provide staff supervision, lead required staff and team meetings and training.• Participate in division management meetings as needed and facilitate staff meetings and case conferences.• Serve as a role model for program participants, applicants for SSVF services and fellow veterans on staff. • Timely submission of reports, inquiries, response to internal and external stakeholders Operations• Remains current and updated on new regulations, policies, industry trends, and best practices.• Assist participants in the SSVF program to define, plan and achieve their goals related to SSVF such as homeless prevention/rapid rehousing, income and benefits maximization and other goals for their housing stability. • Provide resources and referral services to community members and possible participants, particularly for U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs services and entitlements, public benefits, and legal services.• Coordinate referrals for internal and external housing, health navigation, legal aid, employment and core services for the full veteran family.• Assist program participants with accessing needed community services (housing, employment, medical, behavioral healthcare, vocational services, food, clothing, etc.) through the development of a referral network, program-initiated referrals and follow up. • Maintain a strong knowledge of VA and community resources and support participants in navigating through these services. • Encourage participants’ professional, educational and personal growth when appropriate.• Act as an advocate for Veteran families during their course of services with SSVF.• Attend community outreach activities in order to raise awareness of SSVF services to veterans across our service region and to educate and recruit new program participants.• Accompany Veterans to various appointments at: DSS, VA, SSA, court, shelter, GPD, etc.• Document all engagements with participants and applicants according to VA and S:US standards, including the writing of case notes and contact logs.• Maintain the highest levels of confidentiality and professional boundaries according to S:US and funder standards • Respond to veteran and program needs promptly, accurately and with courtesy and respect.• Support team members in the delivery of daily services, including providing positive modeling, peer counseling, support and encouragement to participants.• Screen and assess applicants applying for S:US Veterans Services.• Assist with the development of Housing Stability Plans and follow-up recertifications with participants.• Act as advocate for participants as appropriate; encourage and support self-advocacy.• Deliver high-quality customer service.• Perform other duties related to the program as defined by the Program Director and management team. External Relations• Represents the agency and programs and in a professional manner to funders, consumers, potential consumers, referring agencies, network members, etc.• Outreach, market and promote agency programs and services to potential referral sources to maximize capacity.• Participate in SUS Veterans Service Fair(s) and other events.• Willingness to travel to outreach events and to engage Veterans in the field up to 80% of the time.• Willingness and ability to attend occasional events outside of normal business hours.• Expand S:US’ reach and support the organization’s mission and goals across a wide array of community stakeholders and partners. • Perform other duties as required/assigned. III. KEY PERFORMANCE STANDARDS:• Communication: Ability to communicate effectively with individuals and team members, appreciating their social, cultural, religious and ethnic backgrounds and their age, gender and abilities.• Integrity: Uphold personal and professional ethics and values, considering the values of the organization and respecting the culture, beliefs and abilities of individuals we serve.• Person-Centered: Foster a positive climate that promotes respect and dignity for individuals served (consistent with person centered practices).• Continuous Quality Improvement: Foster a culture of continuous improvement. Regularly search for information and implement solutions to solve problems, improve quality/service, efficiency,effectiveness and/or reduce costs. Use a systematic approach to manage change, clearly communicating priorities and minimizing concerns for others.• Teamwork: Ability to work in a team-oriented environment and contribute to the leadership that creates an environment where the multidisciplinary team supports one another.

Requirements

U.S. Military Service/Veteran of U.S Active, Reserve or National Guard service required, or a family member of U.S. Military servicemember/veteran.
H.S. Diploma Required.
Minimum of 3 years of professional experience or combination of experience and military leadership considered.
Leadership capability to manage, coach, and develop Veteran Peers while also delivering direct peer support and services.
Ability to travel via public transit across the S:US service area, up to 80% of the time.
Effective written and oral communication skills.
Candidates must be able to work in an office setting and at sites across NYC five days a week
Candidates must be able to travel to work sites and across multiple locations daily when needed to support program participants
Candidates must be willing and able to work with a vibrant and diverse population of veteran households

Responsibilities

Manage and coach Veteran Peer Navigators to strengthen their service delivery, creating individualized plans that ensure consistent competencies across their areas of responsibility.
Provide staff supervision, lead required staff and team meetings and training.
Participate in division management meetings as needed and facilitate staff meetings and case conferences.
Serve as a role model for program participants, applicants for SSVF services and fellow veterans on staff.
Timely submission of reports, inquiries, response to internal and external stakeholders
Remains current and updated on new regulations, policies, industry trends, and best practices.
Assist participants in the SSVF program to define, plan and achieve their goals related to SSVF such as homeless prevention/rapid rehousing, income and benefits maximization and other goals for their housing stability.
Provide resources and referral services to community members and possible participants, particularly for U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs services and entitlements, public benefits, and legal services.
Coordinate referrals for internal and external housing, health navigation, legal aid, employment and core services for the full veteran family.
Assist program participants with accessing needed community services (housing, employment, medical, behavioral healthcare, vocational services, food, clothing, etc.) through the development of a referral network, program-initiated referrals and follow up.
Maintain a strong knowledge of VA and community resources and support participants in navigating through these services.
Encourage participants’ professional, educational and personal growth when appropriate.
Act as an advocate for Veteran families during their course of services with SSVF.
Attend community outreach activities in order to raise awareness of SSVF services to veterans across our service region and to educate and recruit new program participants.
Accompany Veterans to various appointments at: DSS, VA, SSA, court, shelter, GPD, etc.
Document all engagements with participants and applicants according to VA and S:US standards, including the writing of case notes and contact logs.
Maintain the highest levels of confidentiality and professional boundaries according to S:US and funder standards
Respond to veteran and program needs promptly, accurately and with courtesy and respect.
Support team members in the delivery of daily services, including providing positive modeling, peer counseling, support and encouragement to participants.
Screen and assess applicants applying for S:US Veterans Services.
Assist with the development of Housing Stability Plans and follow-up recertifications with participants.
Act as advocate for participants as appropriate; encourage and support self-advocacy.
Deliver high-quality customer service.
Perform other duties related to the program as defined by the Program Director and management team.
Represents the agency and programs and in a professional manner to funders, consumers, potential consumers, referring agencies, network members, etc.
Outreach, market and promote agency programs and services to potential referral sources to maximize capacity.
Participate in SUS Veterans Service Fair(s) and other events.
Willingness to travel to outreach events and to engage Veterans in the field up to 80% of the time.
Willingness and ability to attend occasional events outside of normal business hours.
Expand S:US’ reach and support the organization’s mission and goals across a wide array of community stakeholders and partners.
Perform other duties as required/assigned.