Peer Specialist I

The mission of the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless is to work collaboratively toward the prevention of homelessness and the creation of lasting solutions for homeless and at-risk families, children, and individuals throughout Colorado. The Coalition advocates for and provides a continuum of housing and a variety of services to improve the health, well-being, and stability of those it serves.

The Colorado Coalition for the Homeless seeks a Peer Specialist I who partners with people experiencing homelessness to facilitate a self-directed change process aimed at improving health and well-being. This position facilitates a connection between people living outdoors in encampments to the services offered at the Stout Street Health Center (SSHC) and to other resources that promote recovery from substance use, harm reduction, stable housing, a sense of purpose, and connection with one’s community.  The primary function of the Peer Support Specialist is to provide peer support and navigation/coordination services to assist clients in accessing the resources and developing the personal skills they need to:

1. Establish and continue engagement in the MAT (medicated assisted treatment) services at SSHC;

2. Establish or remain engaged with other healthcare services to improve and/or maintain overall health and well-being;

3. Establish positive and supportive social connections within the community;

4. Identify and pursue meaningful activities that provide a sense of purpose and personal satisfaction;

5. Secure and maintain safe and stable housing.

This position is located at 2130 Stout Street, Denver CO 80205 and reports to the Program Manager.

NOTE: In order to ensure that our consumers receive the best possible care the candidate chosen to fill this position will be required to complete our internal credentialing and privileging process prior to a start date.  The credentialing and privileging timeline is dependent on the selected candidate's submission of documents necessary for clearance.  Please note that a start date will be scheduled once credentialing and privileging is complete.

• Choice of HMO or PPO health insurance coverage options: full-time employees contribute only 1% of their earnings for their own HMO health coverage and no more than 4% of their earnings for coverage of eligible dependents. We’re proud to offer same-and opposite-sex domestic partner coverage. 
• Choice of dental insurance or discount plan. 
• Vision insurance.  
• Flexible spending accounts for health care / dependent care / parking expenses. 
• Free basic life and AD&D insurance coverage. 
• Employee Assistance Program, a problem-solving resource available to you and your household members. 
• Dollar-for-dollar retirement plan matching contributions up to 5% of earnings with 3-year vesting. 
• Extensive paid time-off, including 9 holidays, 12 days of sick leave, and three weeks of vacation for new full-time employees in their first year. 

• Utilizes relevant personal experience to establish supportive, trusting relationships with peers to inspire hope and resilience and to foster the belief that recovery is possible.
• Mentors peers regarding goal setting, skill-building and problem-solving activities with an emphasis on peer strengths and empowerment.
• Advocates and believes in all pathways to recovery.
• Works with peers in connection to MAT services at SSHC.
• Provides individual and group peer counseling and support for peers in recovery from substance use disorders. Provides guidance and encouragement to promote responsibility and participation in recovery. 
• Maintains and ensures confidentiality of all peer information.
• Provides patient navigation and care coordination services in close collaboration with SSRCC healthcare team, other CCH staff, and other community partners.
• Guides peers through the healthcare system, facilitates interaction and communication between peers and health care staff and providers, and advocates on behalf of peers’ interests and goals.
• Transports/arranges transport and/or escorts peers to scheduled appointments at SSHC and elsewhere, as requested by program participants.
• Outreaches peers in the community to assess status and monitor needs.
• Links peers with resources and supports within the community to increase social integration and sense of connectedness.
• Serves as liaison with collaborating agencies to establish and maintain effective working relationships for the benefit of the peers.
• Facilitates group activities to promote social engagement and community connection.
• Record all services in a timely and complete fashion in the EHR (electronic health records)
• Maintain up to date records in EHR
• Record telephone and other communications as needed in the EHR
• Performs other duties as assigned.

• Completion of an accredited Peer Specialist training or willingness and ability to complete training within first 6 months of employment.
• Peer mentoring experience serving people experiencing behavioral health challenges and/or homelessness preferred.
• Personal or professional experience or knowledge with MAT services preferred.
• Bi-lingual Spanish-English preferred.

Employee must be able to perform essential job functions with or without reasonable accommodation and without posing a direct threat to safety or health of self or others. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily. Employee will perform job according to applied laws. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The Colorado Coalition for the Homeless is committed to delivering services, making employment-related decisions, selecting volunteers, and selecting vendors without regard to age over 40, race, sex, color, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, disability, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, medical condition related to pregnancy, military status, or any other applicable status protected by law.

Salary : $21 - $25