Peer Housing Specialist - Brooklyn

We are looking for peers with lived experience to work with individuals in supportive housing.

The mission of Baltic Street Wellness Solutions is to help improve the quality of life for people vulnerable to mental illness by providing a broad continuum of trauma-informed care with a focus on wellness and resiliency. We believe that all the people we serve can lead meaningful lives and successfully manage their mental health. Every individual we serve receives support to help them address their whole health needs, develop coping strategies, and connect with critical resources such as housing, education and employment.

Baltic Street Wellness Solutions seeks applicants for the position of Housing Specialist. The incumbent will provide supported housing services to adults diagnosed with mental illness in the Bronx and Brooklyn. Join an innovative agency providing services through empowerment. Must possess the ability to reason clearly and make sound judgments. The ability to communicate clearly and effectively and to establish and maintain satisfactory relations with others is a must.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Certified with the Academy of Peer Services or completion of certification within the first two months of employment.
• Driver’s license a plus.
• High School Diploma or GED required.
• Ability to travel by mass transit, bus and subway, up to 6 rides in a day. Able to climb and descend up to 6 flights of stairs. Able to walk distances of up to 8 blocks from office to mass transit, or to client apartments.

Essential Functions:

• Assist residents in finding and keeping preferred housing.
• Facilitate group meetings, workshops and training sessions which includes sharing your own recovery story/experience with consumers.
• Establish and maintain good rapport and working relationships with residents.
• Contribute to the formulation and implementation of individual housing support plans.
• Aid and encourage residents to meet the established goals of their housing plans.
• Encourage resident decision-making.
• Report problems and behavioral changes to supervisor.
• Provide information, referral, and advocacy.
• Work cooperatively with all internal and external entities.
• Ensure the protection of all clients’ civil liberties, rights and property.
• Attend all staff meetings.
• Document all contacts, in writing, in case files.
• Maintain accurate, up to date case files and other reporting requirements.
• Participate in supervisor meetings.
• Visit apartment sites at least once per month.
• On call responsibilities, where applicable.
• Ensure clients are transported to needed services in a timely manner.
• Maintain valid American Red Cross/American Heart Association CPR/First Aid certification, if applicable.
• Maintain and protect the confidential nature of all matters related to this position.
• Participate, when appropriate, in agency training sessions.

We Are a State Mandated Organization, COVID-19 Vaccinations are Required. Selected candidates must be vaccinated against COVID-19 and have received a booster shot. Baltic Street Wellness Solutions will require selected candidates to submit proof of complete vaccination against COVID-19 and having received a booster shot prior to extending a job offer. If a candidate has a qualifying medical condition or religious exemption that contraindicates a COVID-19 vaccination, an exemption form should be requested from Human Resources.

Physical Demands and Work Environment

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the functions. While performing the duties of this position, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to use hands or finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls. The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, sit; reach with hands and arms. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 15 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this position include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, and the ability to adjust focus. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $40,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 403(b)
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift

Education:

• High school or equivalent (Required)

Experience:

• Housing Advocacy: 1 year (Preferred)

License/Certification:

• NYS Peer Certification (Preferred)

Willingness to travel:

• 50% (Preferred)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $40,000