Peer Specialist - Full-Time

About Swords to Plowshares

Founded in 1974, Swords to Plowshares is a community-based not-for-profit organization that provides counseling and case management, employment and training, housing, and legal assistance to veterans in the San Francisco Bay Area. We promote and protect the rights of veterans through advocacy, public education, and partnerships with local, state, and national entities. Believing that war causes wounds and suffering that last beyond the battlefield, our mission is to support veterans as they navigate the challenges of post-military life, and to prevent and end veteran homelessness through wrap-around care and informed advocacy.   To learn more about Swords to Plowshares, please visit our website at www.swords-to-plowshares.org.

Job Title:

Full Time Peer Specialist

Location:

1060 Howard Street, San Francisco, CA 94103

Schedule (Days and Hours):

Monday-Friday 11am – 7pm

Reporting Type (In-person, Hybrid, or Remote):

In-person

Employment Type (Non-exempt / Exempt) AND (Full-Time/Part-Time/ On-Call):

Non-Exempt Full-Time

Salary Range (Hourly if Non-Exempt, Annual if Exempt):

$25.50 per hour

Summary (of position):

This position is responsible for providing supportive services to veterans at the San Francisco Service Center located at 1060 Howard Street, located in the SOMA district. The key aspects of this position include supporting the achievement of veteran goals, peer support and advocacy, both on site and in the community.  The responsibilities include providing peer support, handling food and mail services, monitoring the activities of veterans, responding to emergencies, completing required daily documentation, facilitating groups, providing backup support for veterans in crisis, and working with staff to support veterans’ needs and identifying challenges

Responsibilities:

• Greet and check-in veterans when they enter the building.
• Enrolling veterans into ECM (Exponent Case Management) electronic filing system.
• Provide peer resource navigation.
• Facilitate peer group meetings
• Prepping, serving, documenting, and monitoring daily meal program.
• Sorting, distributing, documenting, and monitoring veteran mail program.
• Actively engage veterans in activities in support of building community.
• Facilitate/monitor group recreational activities and providing assistance during events within the VCC.
• Accompany veterans during recreational activities and outings to include off-site activities that may take place after hours.
• Transport veterans to and from appointments as needed using a company van.
• Assist with monitoring and engaging veteran activity to ensure a safe and secure community center.
• Accurately document group participant attendance, detailed services provided, and any incidents that occur, ensuring all records are updated in a timely manner in compliance with organizational and regulatory standards.
• Respond to behavioral disturbances and emergencies utilizing strength-based practices, crisis intervention, de-escalation skills, trauma-informed and harm reduction approaches.
• Attend all mandatory trainings and meetings.
• Perform other related duties assigned by management.

Desired Qualifications:

Experience:

• Translatable military experience and skills may be alternatively substituted.
• Minimum of one (1) year experience conducting the following:
  • Peer support services to individuals with complex behavioral and/or mental health barriers in a community setting.
  • Group facilitation
  • Crisis Intervention
• Valid California Driver’s license and clean DMV driving record
• Excellent computer skills with proficiency in Microsoft Office- Outlook, OneDrive, Word, Excel, SharePoint, etc.
• Strong verbal, written, and communication skills.
• Attention to detail and organizational skills.
• Ability to multi-task and follow through with tasks in a timely manner.
• Ability to work effectively as a team and engage proactively in supervision.
• Ability to remain calm and use de-escalation skills when engaging with veterans.
• Ability to work with a diverse population- individuals under the influence of substances and/or experiencing co-occurring disorders, psychosis, and other severe mental health presentations from a harm reduction and trauma informed approach.
• A working understanding of the needs of people experiencing homelessness or persons who are formally homeless with an emphasis on mental health, socio-economic, vocational and substance use challenges.
• Must be able to communicate effectively with a variety of personalities and be comfortable working with communities that are often marginalized, including embracing the agency’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Initiative.
• Must be able to perform all essential job requirements and responsibilities within what would be considered reasonable accommodation.

Education:

• N/A

Comprehensive Benefits Package:

Employees who are regularly scheduled to work 20 hours or more per week are eligible for all benefits.

• 100% employer sponsored medical, vision, acupuncture, and dental coverage. Swords to Plowshares covers partial dependent coverage cost. (Agency paid annual medical deductible paid via Navia HRA Card)
• Employee Assistance Program: 20 mental health counseling appointments available to all employees, regardless of Full-time status, at no cost to employees.
• 403(b) retirement plan immediate enrollment
• Generous annual paid time off

• 10 sick days
• 13 holidays
• 17 vacation days in the first year & progressive afterwards

• Access to third party legal benefits, employee discount program, pet insurance, and Commuter Benefit.
• 1-hour paid lunch period, professional development reimbursements, and annual education allowance available to all employees.

*Employees who work on-call, in a temporary position, or less than 20 hours per week regularly are only eligible for our Employee Assistance Program, paid lunch hour, and San Francisco sick time. Vacation and sick time are pro-rated based upon full-time equivalent percentage.

 Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Statement of Intent:

Swords to Plowshares is fully committed to the ongoing work of creating a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive organization. For us, this is a process and not a destination. We embrace the principles of cultural humility to create spaces where all people feel welcome, heard, and valued.

 We stand against injustice and discrimination of all kinds. This includes mistreatment based on race, age, color, veteran/military status, language, ethnic background, national origin, ancestry, ability, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression, other status protected by law, and the other qualities/traits that make you unique. We encourage applications from all qualified individuals.

 Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:

At Swords to Plowshares, we believe in creating an inclusive and welcoming environment for all. We are proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer and do not discriminate against any employee or applicant based on race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, or gender identity), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, or status as a protected veteran. We are committed to compliance with all state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment.

We are dedicated to affirmative action and providing equal employment opportunities for everyone. We strive to ensure that all individuals—regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or veteran status—are treated fairly and have access to the same opportunities in alignment with federal regulations (Executive Order 11246, Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Vietnam Era Veterans' Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974).

If you need assistance or accommodation due to a disability, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at employeesupport@stp-sf.org. We’re here to help.

Salary : $26