Peer Support Specialist at VOA Chesapeake in Whiteville, North Carolina

Job Description:

Job Title: Peer Support Specialist

Group: Behavioral Health Programs

Department: Healthy Opportunities Program (HOP, NC)

Region: NC

Location: Columbus County and surrounding area

Classification: Exempt

Status: Full Time

Reports to: Program Coordinator

Supervises: N/A

Travel Requirement: Telework Capacity and travel in the NC Region, as needed.


COMPANY OVERVIEW


Volunteers of America Chesapeake & Carolinas empowers self-reliance and inspires hope. As a church without walls, we do this through personalized housing, ministry, health, and human services that benefit vulnerable individuals, their families and the community. Founded in 1896 in Baltimore, MD by social reformers, Ballington and Maud Booth, we were one of the first of over 30 affiliates of Volunteers of America one of the nations largest and most comprehensive human services organizations.

Our founders envisioned a movement dedicated to reaching and uplifting the American people. On behalf of the organization, the Booths pledged to go wherever we are needed, and do whatever comes to hand. Their declaration continues to guide Volunteers of America's impact on Helping Americas most vulnerable.

Through a dedicated and committed team of more than 850 employees and thousands of volunteers, we provide critical care, support services and hope to thousands of people each year throughout Virginia, Maryland, the District of Columbia and the Carolinas. We firmly believe our employees drive the success of the organization. Through our diversity, equity and inclusion efforts, we endeavor to attract, engage and retain qualified, diverse, compassionate individuals to join our journey and experience a work environment that offers challenging, stimulating and financially rewarding opportunities.


JOB SUMMARY


As the key Human Services Organization (HSO), VOACC will provide housing navigation support and sustaining services in Bladen, Pender, and Columbus counties in NC. The Peer Support Specialist is responsible to provide peer support and/or educational services to prepare and support an individual for stable, long term independent housing.


RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Develop a good rapport and relationships with program participants
• Develop relationships with outside vendors and other stakeholders to assist individuals with the resources needed to achieve housing independence
• Assist with data collection and reporting requirements
• Report concerns to case manager/Program Coordinator when indicated
• Assist the case manager with identifying housing preferences and needs
• Assist the case manager with connecting the individual to social services to assist with locating housing necessary to support meeting medical care needs
• Assist the case manager with assisting individuals to complete housing applications
• Assist the case manager with assisting the individuals to complete a housing support/crisis plan to support independent living in their own home
• Assist the individuals to support the follow through and achievement of the goals defined in their housing plan
• Assist the case manager with providing housing move in support which include assisting the individual with non-recurring set up expenses
• Assist the case manager with providing essential utility set up which is a non-recurring set up cost for essential habitable housing
• Assist the case manager with setting up home remediation services
• Assist the case manager with securing home accessibility and safety modifications as well as healthy home goods
• Perform other duties as assigned

EFFECT ON END RESULT:

• Program participants are provided timely and effective assistance in the evaluation of their immediate and long-term housing needs.
• Provides empathy and support to engage and encourage vulnerable clients.
• Helps provide a safe and supportive environment for clients.
• Maintains a positive image in the local and professional communities.
• Ensures compliance with agency, Federal, State and local laws and regulations and funding source requirements.
• Maintains accurate and current data collection.

Requirements

• A Bachelors degree in a Human Services or related field.
  
• Certification as a Housing Peer Support Specialist or similar credential is preferred, but not required.
  
• Experience required in communication, peer support, care coordination, case management, motivational interviewing, advocacy, and have social service connections where applicable.
  
• Familiarity with the Housing First model, housing/homeless is desired.
  

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:


The physical requirements described below are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential duties of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties.

• The ability to safely operate a motor vehicle to transport oneself, consumers, and program supplies as necessary.
  
• The physical ability to travel to assigned locations, stand, stoop, bend, reach, pull, push, lift, grasp, climb, talk, see, hear and perform basic and light home maintenance activities, and operate office equipment.
  
• Operating office equipment requiring continuous or repetitive hand/arm movements.
  
• The ability to remain in a sitting position for extended periods of time
  

OTHER DUTIES:


Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.



EMPLOYEE ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF JOB DESCRIPTION


I have read the job description and understand accept the terms of employment with Volunteers of America Chesapeake and Carolinas



PRINT NAME _______________________________________ DATE: ______________




SIGNATURE ________________________________________ DATE: ______________


EEO/AA



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