Youth Peer Support Specialist - Certified

Volunteers Of America, Utah • Salt Lake City, UT

1d • Onsite

About The Position

Volunteers of America, Utah provides community-supported paths for those who are vulnerable to improve their lives and increase their self-reliance. The Youth Homelessness Demonstration Program (YHDP) is a housing-first initiative focused on moving high-acuity youth experiencing homelessness (ages 18-24) into permanent supportive housing and rapid rehousing. An integrated team, including a case manager, peer support specialist, and therapist, provides services to help youth maintain housing and work towards goals related to mental and physical health, vocational/educational pursuits, life skills, and community connection. The YHDP Peer Support Specialist will connect with youth in the program, utilizing their lived experience to support and educate clients on mental health and/or substance use treatment, aiming for stabilization to secure/maintain housing and achieve client-led goals. The YHDP team operates from the Youth Resource Center, an emergency shelter and drop-in day center for homeless youth.

Requirements

• High school diploma or GED and any combination of education, experience, and training which provides the following knowledge, skills, and abilities
• Direct experience with homelessness, mental illness and/or substance use disorders and demonstration of a level of recovery sufficient to manage own mental health/recovery and function independently.
• Active Peer Support Specialist Certification or Participation in the State of Utah’s program for Peer Support Certification within 6 months of hire is required.
• Ability to independently plan, prioritize, and execute own work to ensure completion of daily tasks.
• Ability to uphold professional boundaries, confidentiality regulations, agency policies and procedures, and interact in a professional manner with a diverse workforce, clients, and the public.
• Willingness to accept weekly supervision and ongoing feedback.
• Ability to move around the facility and interact with clients for extended periods of time.
• Must be able to pass pre-employment drug screen.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office.
• Must pass Utah DHS - Office of Licensing background screening for those working with vulnerable populations and maintain an eligible determination.
• Must be at least 21 years of age.
• Possess a current driver’s license.
• Have a good driving record.
• Be insurable on the agency liability policy.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a peer mentor to clients by offering a positive example of a person with lived experience who has been successful in managing their own recovery of mental health, substance use disorder, and/or experience of homelessness.
• Educate clients about community resources and harm reduction practices.
• Provide crisis intervention as necessary, utilizing de-escalation skills and trauma-informed care.
• Develop and maintain professional working relationships with all resource center staff and other service providers.
• Attend weekly staffing/clinical staffing meetings; participate and present client information at said meetings to assist in developing and implementing individualized treatment plans.
• Utilize both internal tracking sheets and required case note web infrastructure in a timely and accurate manner.
• Provide ongoing assessment, problem solving, side-by side services, and skills support to assist clients with daily activities.
• Meet with housed clients in their homes and provide ongoing support for them as they stabilize in housing.
• Attending work on a punctual, regular, and predictable basis.
• Be on call 3 times a year for the Youth Resource Center.
• Actively engage with clients by demonstrating cultural responsiveness and sensitivity.
• Demonstrate a proactive willingness to learn and an openness to critical feedback.
• Provide outreach and initiate contact with potential clients within the Youth Resource Center.
• Create and run in-house groups to support clients in connecting and learning new skills.
• Attend 3 staffing meetings weekly to work collaboratively with other members of the YHDP team.
• Perform other functions as necessary or assigned
• Provide safe transportation for clients to appointments related to treatment goals, such as housing, medical needs, and mental health needs.
• Maintain cleanliness and organization of assigned office space.
• Attend community meetings as needed to enhance the work of the outreach team and/or continuum of homeless services.

Benefits

• Low-cost medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• Health savings account.
• 403b retirement plan with employer match (50% match up to 3%).
• Employee Assistance Program for all employees
• 33 paid days off: 11 observed paid holidays, 12 sick days, and 10 vacation days to start.
• Vacation increases to 12 days after 1 year, 15 days after 2 years, and more at 5 and 9 years of service.
• Sick and vacation time accrue hourly per pay period.
• $50,000 in employer-paid life insurance; additional coverage available.
• Employee Referral Program including cash bonuses and paid time off.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: High school or GED
• Number of Employees: 11-50 employees