Peer Support Specialist

TITLE: Peer Support Specialist

FLSA CLASSIFICATION: Non-Exempt

HOURS: Full-Time

RESPONSIBLE TO: OFH Associate Director

DIRECT REPORTS: None

LOCATION: 4th and Race Streets, Philadelphia

SALARY: $16.35 an hour, paid bi-weekly

Mission

Depaul USA supports homeless and marginalized people, providing people experiencing homelessness with purpose and hope for a positive future. Our vision is that everyone has a place to call home and a stake in his or her community. In cities across the nation, we meet people where they are to address their needs. Through a combination of homelessness services and housing, Depaul USA is innovating and bringing real solutions to those facing homelessness.

Depaul USA is a growing, national, not-for-profit organization that serves more than 6,200 people annually and has a combined operating and capital budget in excess of $11.6 million. Our Vincentian values underpin what we do:

• We celebrate the potential of people;
• We put our words into action;
• We aim to take a wider role in civil society; and
• We believe in rights and responsibilities.

Please visit www.depaulusa.org to learn more.

Depaul USA is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace, and we are firmly committed to creating an equitable and inclusive environment for all employees. If you need a reasonable accommodation in any part of the hiring process, please let us know.

The Old First House project provides permanent supportive housing with a housing first model for 34 single adults. Services are recovery-oriented, trauma-informed and participant-centered. The program operates on a 24/7 basis and provides accommodation and support to adults with disabilities. The Peer Support Specialist supervises the daily functioning of the program and assist participants in meeting basic needs such as hygiene, medication, meals, and transportation. Additionally, they guide participants in adhering to personalized service plans encompassing life skills education and ensuring the site's cleanliness. The ideal candidate will use effective communication skills and be able to respond calmly during difficult situations. He/she is comfortable serving as the sole provider on the unit. Additionally, they work with volunteers onsite and collaborate closely with other staff at the program site.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

Essential Job Functions

• Monitors participants as they perform activities of daily living, such as bathing, dressing, meal preparation, mobility, taking their medications.
• Monitors supplies for all areas including kitchen, hygiene, laundry, linen and medical. Assures they are stocked, and participants have access to them at the appropriate times.
• Leads participants in social and leisure activities.
• Orients and assists volunteers with activities including outreach to residents, setting up activities and clean up.
• Oversees security and cleanliness of the facility.
• Changes bed linens, does laundry, performs general housekeeping duties, as needed.
• Maintains familiarity with participant’s individual service plan and provides support, as appropriate, under the case manager’s supervision.
• Instructs participants in basic independent living skills, including mobility, hygiene and selfcare, home maintenance and safety, nutrition, and home economics; social behavior and communication; personal banking and money management, etc.
• Provides prompt and accurate documentation of participant’s interactions, incidents, telephone contacts and other information to meet program and licensing requirements.
• Records shift occurrences and communicates key behaviors to relieve staff members.
• Performs daily check of the facility to ensure the health and safety of program participants. Ensures a safe and secure environment and maintains high operational standards within the project.
• Coordinates with case managers and peer support specialists on scheduled medical appointments for participants and transporting.
• Performs supportive and administrative tasks to include followup on scheduled meal groups, intake paperwork, supply inventory, cooking meals, safety inspections, assisting with daily clean up.
• Receives referrals after hours and on weekends and coordinates with case managers to screen for entry.
• Supervise volunteers who provide services at the site and participants as they perform their chores.
• Greets visitors and supervises visitation to the facility.
• Builds professional relationships with all participants and helps them with difficult or problematic situations sensitively. Deescalates conflict and engages in conflict resolution, providing guidance and support for project participants.
• Provides peertopeer supportive communication to participants who may need help during night and weekend hours and refers problems to appropriate staff members as needed.

Additional Tasks and Responsibilities

• Oversee discipline of participants. Work closely with security and the Program Director.
• Ensure cleanliness of the facility inside and outside and trash pickup. Work with the Maintenance Technician to schedule, coordinate, and supervise maintenance and repairs to the site.
• When authorized in the absence of other members of leadership team, act as supervisor for designated area.
• Assist the program team with special events or other activities that require teamwork.

General Responsibilities

• Adheres to all quality assurance policies and procedures.
• Stays informed of current local and national events, trends, and issues (wherever possible) that impact Depaul USA’s work with homeless individuals.
• Strives continuously to develop the role in collaboration with the supervisor to ensure that all tasks are being undertaken effectively and appropriately, meeting the strategic goals and objectives of Depaul USA.
• Participates in internal/external meetings as required and attends training events, conferences, and other functions as necessary. Participates in regular supervision and annual appraisal and helps in identifying your jobrelated development and training needs.
• Ensures adherence to all Depaul USA policies and procedures, particularly those relating to Health and Safety, Safeguarding, Code of Practice, and Confidentiality. Contributes to the effective implementation of Depaul USA’s Equal Opportunities Policy as it affects both the organization and its work with this client group.
• Undertakes the role professionally, always maintaining a highquality work standard and always working in accordance with the Vision, Mission, and Values of Depaul USA.
• Undertakes any other duties that may be required which are commensurate with the role.

Qualifications

The ideal Peer Support Specialist will be a professional with several years of experience in case management with vulnerable segments of the population. S/he will have experience working with individuals who have faced homelessness and struggled with issues of mental illness, cognitive disabilities, and addictions. The Peer Support Specialist will also understand social work theories and methodologies, be familiar with relevant partner agencies, and comprehend the needs of individuals seeking services. The Peer Support Specialist should possess the following:

• Candidates must possess a high school diploma or GED equivalent.
• Trained in First Aid and CPR or the ability to obtain certification within 60 days of hire.
• Exceptional communication, multitasking, and interpersonal skills.
• Excellent computer skills with all Microsoft Office programs.
• Strong organization skills and the ability to work in a team.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions. In the course of performing the job, the person in this position typically spends time sitting, standing, climbing stairs, walking, driving, carrying (20lbs), lifting (20lbs), operating a computer keyboard, and making and receiving telephone calls. Subjected to outside environmental conditions.

Work Schedule:

• Primarily in person from Old First House located at 4th and Race Streets in Philadelphia, PA
• 3:00 PM 11:00 PM, 5 days per week.
• This position requires staff to work weekend shifts.
• Flexibility in adjusting schedules to meet the needs of Depaul USA

Benefits:

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage options for the employee and eligible dependents
• Company provided Basic Life/AD&D & Short/Long Term disability policies.
• 403(b) Retirement plan with employer match
• Generous Vacation, Sick, and Personal leave
• 10 Observed holidays

Background Checks:

A background check (including a criminal records check) must be completed as part of the hiring process. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect application status or applicants’ employment status.

Declaration:

This job description is intended to accurately reflect the position's duties, responsibilities, and requirements. It is not intended to be and should not be construed as an all-inclusive list of all the responsibilities, skills, or working conditions associated with the position. Depaul USA and management reserve the right to modify, add, or remove duties and assign other tasks as necessary.

Equal Opportunity Employment Statement

Depaul USA is an equal opportunity employer and affords equal opportunity to all applicants for all positions without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other status protected under local, state, or federal laws.

Thank you for considering Depaul USA! To apply, please submit your resume.

Deadline: Until Filled

To apply for this position, please visit: https://jobs.appone.com/DepaulUSA

About Depaul Usa Inc

Mission Depaul USA supports homeless and marginalized people, providing people experiencing homelessness with purpose and hope for a positive future. Our vision is that everyone has a place to call home and a stake in his or her community. In cities across the nation, we meet people where they are to address their needs. Through a combination of homelessness services and a growing social enterprise portfolio, Depaul USA is innovating and bringing real solutions to those facing homelessness. Depaul USA is a growing, national, not-for-profit organization that serves more than 5,400 people annually and has a combined operating and capital budget in excess of $10 million. Our Vincentian values underpin what we do: We celebrate the potential of people; We put our words into action; We aim to take a wider role in civil society; and We believe in rights and responsibilities. Please visit www.depaulusa.org to learn more.