Peer Support Specialist

Schedule:

M-F 8am to 4pm

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

A peer support specialist for clean and sober living is an individual who has personal experience with addiction and recovery and uses their lived experience to support others who are striving to maintain a clean and sober lifestyle. Their role involves providing empathy, understanding, and guidance to individuals in recovery to help them stay on track and build a fulfilling life free from substance abuse.

• Offering a listening ear and non-judgmental support to individuals in recovery, acknowledging their challenges, and celebrating their successes.
• Drawing on their own experiences with addiction and recovery, the peer support specialists can relate to the struggles and triumphs of those they are helping.
• Serving as a role model and mentor for those in recovery, demonstrating that sustained sobriety is possible and showing them how to navigate life challenges.
• Recognizing and acknowledging individuals' progress and achievements in their recovery journey.
• Assisting individuals in setting achievable goals for their recovery journey and creating action plans to reach those goals.
• Offer coaching, linkage, and establishing a trusting relationship with individuals in recovery to create a safe and supportive environment. Development assistance to individuals with mental health needs, substance use disorder needs, or both, as well as to their families or significant support persons.
• Strengthen family and other forms of support by leveraging their strengths and promoting a deeper understanding of mental illness, facilitating the achievement of desired outcomes for individuals.
• Foster collaboration with other staff or support providers working with the individual or family.
• Aid individuals and families in developing coping strategies and problem-solving abilities to achieve desired outcomes.
• Foster skill development in socialization, recovery, self-sufficiency, self-advocacy, establishment of natural supports, and maintenance of skills acquired through other support services.
• Provide encouragement and assistance to individuals in their pursuit of employment and housing opportunities.e.
• Maintain accurate client data in the agency database, ETO, ECM, HMIS and county database EHR daily.
• Conducts UA testing for clients as needed.
• May be required to transport clients in a company vehicle to appointments
• Be prepared to respond to crisis situations promptly and effectively, providing immediate assistance and access to appropriate resources when needed.
• Provides a weekly report to the SDH Program Manager, sharing updates, progress, and important information related to the job responsibilities and activities.
• Responsible for promptly notifying the manager of any work orders that need to be submitted or supplies that need to be ordered.
• Responsible for attending staff meetings, ensuring timely completion of training, and accurately completing timecards.
• Perform related duties as assigned by the supervisor.
• Maintain compliance with all company policies and procedures.

Education and/or Work Experience Requirements:

This section outlines the essential knowledge, skills and abilities are required to perform the daily tasks and job duties bulleted above.

• High School Diploma or equivalent: A minimum educational requirement to demonstrate basic literacy and communication skills.
• Completes 40 hour Peer Specialist Training
• A minimum of two years personal experience of recovery from lived experience in substance use and/or co-occurring mental health disorders (self-attested) or experience with a close friend or family member with substance use or co-occurring mental health disorder.
• Excellent communication skills: Ability to effectively communicate with shelter residents, colleagues, and external stakeholders.
• Crisis intervention skills: Capacity to handle crisis situations and de-escalate conflicts.
• Empathy and compassion: Demonstrating genuine care and understanding for individuals experiencing homelessness.
• Ability to work in a team: Collaboration and cooperation with other shelter staff, volunteers, and external agencies.
• Excellent computer proficiency (MS Office – Word, Excel and Google)

Required Qualifications:

Employment Eligibility Verification:

• Must provide documentation to establish identity and employment eligibility in compliance with legal requirements. This may include a U.S. passport, Permanent Resident Card, or other acceptable forms of identification.

Negative Tuberculosis Test:

• Must provide documentation of a recent negative tuberculosis (TB) test result to ensure a safe and healthy work environment.

Background Screening:

• Successful completion of a comprehensive background screening, which may include criminal record checks, employment history verification, and reference checks.

Pre-Employment Drug Screening:

• Must pass a pre-employment drug screening to ensure a drug-free workplace. A negative drug test result is required.

Driving Skills:

• Must meet the requirements set by our auto insurance carrier.

Insurance Coverage:

• Must be able to qualify for Good Samaritan Shelter insurance coverage, which may include meeting specific criteria related to driving record, insurance claims history, and other factors.

Personal Insurance Coverage:

• Must have personal insurance coverage that meets the requirements set by the employer.
• This may include liability insurance, automobile insurance, or any other type of insurance deemed necessary for the position.
• The coverage must be valid and maintained throughout the employment period.

Benefits:

Full-Time Benefits:

• Health Insurance
• Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance
• 401k Matching
• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Paid Holidays and Floater Day
• Employee Assistance Program
• Gym Membership Discount
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Working Advantage

Part-Time Benefits:

• 401k Matching
• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Employee Assistance Program
• Gym Membership Discount
• Working Advantage

Please note that these benefits are subject to specific eligibility criteria and may be subject to change based on company policies and guidelines.

Work Environment:

The work environment for staff in our clean and sober living program is characterized by a strong commitment to compassion, support, and dedication to assisting individuals in their recovery journey. You will play a pivotal role in the lives of our residents, taking a person-centered approach to ensure their well-being and progress.Your responsibilities will include conducting thorough assessments and developing personalized care plans that encompass various aspects of their lives, such as mental health treatment, legal representation, and housing stability. Meanwhile, the house manager will focus on creating a safe and supportive living space, equipped with crisis intervention skills to handle challenging situations effectively. Collaborating as a team, you and the house assistant will advocate for the residents, connecting them with crucial services like counseling, substance abuse treatment, and job placement assistance. Your expertise in legal regulations will be vital as you navigate the complexities of the criminal justice system, ensuring fair treatment and due process for the residents.

Physical Requirements:

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

• Ability to safely and successfully perform the essential job functions consistent with the ADA, FMLA and other federal, state and local standards, including meeting qualitative and/or quantitative productivity standards.
• Ability to maintain regular, punctual attendance consistent with the ADA, FMLA and other federal, state and local standards
• Must be able to lift and carry up to 30 lbs.
• Capability to navigate stairs multiple times during a shift is required.
• Proficiency in using hands and fingers to perform tasks such as typing, writing, handling paperwork, operating equipment, and assisting residents with daily needs.
• Sufficient vision and hearing capabilities to observe and respond to the environment, communicate with residents and colleagues, and maintain a safe working environment.

Mental Requirements:

The mental demands outlined above are illustrative of the requirements necessary for an employee to effectively fulfill the fundamental duties of this position. Reasonable accommodations can be provided to enable individuals with disabilities to fulfill these essential functions.

• Emotional resilience to cope with challenging situations and provide support to individuals facing difficult circumstances.
• The nature of working with individuals experiencing homelessness can be emotionally draining. Staff must be aware of the signs of compassion fatigue and have strategies in place to manage their own self-care and prevent burnout.
• Establishing and maintaining appropriate boundaries is crucial when working with vulnerable populations. Staff should be able to prioritize self-care, set limits on their emotional involvement, and practice self-reflection to prevent personal emotional strain.
• Serving a diverse population with various cultural backgrounds and identities. Staff should have a strong commitment to cultural sensitivity, respect for diversity, and the ability to communicate effectively with individuals from different backgrounds.

The Good Samaritan Shelter is a non-profit, community-based organization that relies on all members of staff to work together to serve the community and clients. At times, you may be asked to take on additional tasks outside of your usual responsibilities as needed.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skills, and ability required.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $20.00 - $21.00 per hour

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee discount
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Tuition reimbursement
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Monday to Friday

People with a criminal record are encouraged to apply

Ability to Relocate:

• Santa Barbara, CA 93101: Relocate before starting work (Preferred)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $20 - $21