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) provides day-to-day support to veteran households and assists with outreach, engagement, and service delivery to veteran applicants and participants across New York City's five boroughs. The VPN must have served in the United States Armed Forces (Active, Reserve, or National Guard) and uses lived experience as a peer and role model to help veterans navigate SSVF services and community-based supports. The VPN advocates for participants, supports their individual needs and desired outcomes, and works with the S:US SSVF team to help veterans pursue housing stability. This highly mobile role involves engaging with applicants and participants throughout all stages of the SSVF program. The VPN works with veterans and their primary workers to support housing stability goals, connect households to resources, and empower participants to plan and work toward those goals. Candidates work in an office and at sites across NYC five days a week and may travel to multiple locations daily. Field engagement may take up to 80% of the time, with occasional events outside normal business hours.

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 to work in an office setting and at sites across NYC five days a week.
Must be able to travel to work sites and across multiple locations daily when needed to support program participants.
Must be willing and able to work with a diverse population of veteran households.
Willingness to travel in the field to engage veterans up to 80% of the time.
Willingness and ability to attend occasional events outside normal business hours.
Must be able to maintain confidentiality and professional boundaries.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Help SSVF participants define, plan, and achieve goals related to homeless prevention or rapid rehousing, income and benefits maximization, and housing stability.
Collaborate with the SSVF team, veterans, and their primary workers to support housing stability goals.
Provide resources and referrals, particularly for U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs services and entitlements, public benefits, and legal services.
Coordinate internal and external referrals for housing, health navigation, employment, and other core services for veteran families.
Help participants access community services, including housing, employment, medical and behavioral healthcare, vocational services, food, clothing, and other community supports, through referrals and follow-up.
Maintain knowledge of VA and community resources and help participants navigate them.
Encourage participants' professional, educational, and personal growth when appropriate.
Advocate for veteran families and encourage and support participant self-advocacy.
Attend community outreach activities to raise awareness of SSVF services and educate and recruit potential participants.
Accompany veterans to appointments at DSS, VA, SSA, court, shelter, GPD, and other locations.
Document participant and applicant engagements 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, supervisions, and trainings.
Respond promptly, accurately, courteously, and respectfully to veteran and program needs.
Support team members in delivering daily services, including positive modeling, peer counseling, support, and encouragement for participants.
Screen and assess applicants for S:US Veterans Services.
Assist with developing Housing Stability Plans and completing follow-up recertifications with participants.
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 programs professionally to funders, participants, potential customers, referring agencies, network members, and other stakeholders.
Deliver high-quality customer service.
Perform other program-related duties as defined by the Program Director and management team.