Veteran Peer Support Specialist II

Volunteers of America Los Angeles•Los Angeles, CA

2d•$23 - $24•Onsite

About The Position

As a staff member of the treatment team, the Peer Support Specialist II/Battle Buddy is an experienced and certified advocate who performs a wide range of tasks to assist peers in regaining independence within the community and mastery over their own recovery/reintegration process. Based on similar experiences, this position offers the Veteran empathy, support, and advice as challenges are faced along the way. Peer Support/Battle Buddies will provide outreach, support, mentoring/coaching that empowers Veteran and Military Families (MilFam), and shall work closely with Veteran and MilFam to establish relevant resource linkages. The Battle Buddy adds experience-based competencies and real-world examples that complement the training and expertise of the clinical staff members.

Requirements

Must be able to pass a fingerprint clearance, background check, including criminal history, personal references, employment and education verifications
Current TB screening and Immunization Records (within 5 days of hire)
Copy of Current Professional License (if applicable)
Current BLS Certification (within 15 days of hire)
Valid Real Drivers License or current US Passport
Completion of all required trainings (within 30 days of hire)
Ability to perform under circumstances of possible emotional stress and conflicts dealing with difficult, uncooperative, and potentially aggressive clients as VOALA serves the neediest of the needy in our programs which may include clients with homelessness, mental-illness, substance abuse, recently released from incarceration and other challenges.
High school diploma (or GED/High School Equivalence Certificate)
All VPAN staff must complete 75 hours of evidence-based training(s)
The training will include but not limited to: Veteran Administration Approved Peer Certification Risk Mitigation The Veteran Family Peer Navigator model training provided by UCLA
Within 90 days of hire attend and complete 2-week VA Peer Certification training
At least one year of experience providing social services or similar leadership / volunteer / service experience
Personal Military experience, or experience in recovery from mental health and/or substance abuse issues, or experience in homelessness and reintegration

Nice To Haves

Military background and/or have had immediate family member(s) who served in the U.S. military strongly preferred
Current California driver's license and clean driving record

Responsibilities

Share personal experiences, skills, strengths, ongoing support and resource referral in recovery from mental health and/or substance abuse issues.
Accompany participants to appointments and meetings, housing searches, voucher application/issuance sessions, and any other veteran-centered activity.
In coordination with the VPAN Squad Leader, assist participants in developing recovery plans with the skills, strengths, supports and resources to aid them in achieving goals and plans; work with case manager or treatment team in needed steps for self-directed recovery (most often within the home of the Veteran)
Assist participants with setting up and sustaining self-help (mutual support) groups and with locating and joining existing groups
Acts as reference source for client to legal, community, social service, and administrative bodies as needed; facilitates support groups and client participation
Assist VPAN Squad Leader with helping the participants identify and eliminate barriers and maintain employment/housing/sobriety
Performs integration with the Countys Coordinated Entry System for housing (CES), U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), and other Service Planning Area (SPA) based systems
Services for this position must be provided on-site. As a result, the position requires incumbents to report to work on-site each day of active employment.
Provide peer counseling
Accompany participants in efforts to obtain benefits from various veteran and community support programs.
Refer clients to legal, community, social service, and administrative bodies as needed
Monitor assigned participants in the execution of recovery/service plan(s), to include home visits.
Work with clients to remove barriers to full participation in aid programs.
Monitoring support groups
Learning functions of VPAN Squad Leader
Perform integration with the Countys Coordinated Entry System for housing (CES), U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), and other Service Planning Area (SPA) based systems
Other duties as required and may be subject to change