Peer Counselor

Description

POSITION OVERVIEW:

Peer counselors have a unique ability to relate to and motivate clients through the shared reentry experience, providing intensive case management, accompanying clients to appointments, and ensuring they receive necessary services. They will also refer and link participants to housing and health related resources in the community. This role will uphold and champion the agency’s mission, vision, and values and contribute to a collaborative and inclusive work culture.

Essential Job Functions and Responsibilities: 

• Provide outreach, engagement, linkage, and follow-up services to participants
• Serve as role model and coach to inspire, engage, and advocate for participants and their family member/caregivers’ rights
• Support and advocate for participants as they navigate the criminal justice and court systems
• Provide culturally competent supports to participants and their family members/caregivers
• Utilize Motivational Interviewing and other evidence-based interventions
• Accompany participants to appointments and other services
• Participate in weekly case management and peer review meetings, and monthly training sessions
• Provide linkage and warm hand offs to other community-based providers
• Provide quality documentation, e.g. progress notes, and report client progress to supervisors
• Utilize a personal work computer to send and receive work-related electronic mail, and access and maintain electronic records and files
• Provide intensive care coordination/case management, housing support, connection to community resources, employment support, referrals for psychiatric treatment, and linkage to mental health, substance abuse, legal, and life skills services
• Effective team collaboration in order to meet the needs of our clients 

Other 

• Attend trainings and participate in events relevant to key responsibilities
• Track and regularly report on key metrics for responsible function areas
• Leads and collaborate on special projects related to agency objectives as appropriate 

Qualifications

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE:

• High school diploma required and or equivalent 
• Peer Support Specialist Certification preferred.  
• Formerly incarcerated/History of involvement with the criminal justice system
• Lived experience with mental illness, homelessness, and/or substance use recovery
• Experience working with adults of diverse cultural backgrounds
• Non-Profit and Community Based Organization experience highly desirable.
• Demonstrates and models excellent “customer service” orientation, especially in the ability to interact with people at all levels within and outside the agency.
• Thinks independently and can make informed decisions when needed. 
• Exercises extreme discretion with the ability to hold, balance and transmit public and confidential information needed by various parties. 
• Proficient using MS Office products, particularly Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint.
• Acquires or maintains proficiency in using Google Drive products, including Docs, Sheets, and Forms.
• Valid CA Driver’s license
  • Auto insurance:  Personal vehicle may be used for business related purposes; it is recommended you inform your auto insurance carrier.  

BENEFITS:

• Excellent Health benefits package for you and your family including:
  • Medical/dental/vision benefits with 95% employee & 80% dependent employer premium contribution and employer paid life insurance.
• Vacation, 15 paid holidays, 12 paid sick days upon accrual
• Employee Assistance Plan to support yours and your family’s wellbeing and finances 
• 403(b) retirement plan
• Work-life wellbeing & excellent work hours
• Supportive/Collaborative work environment 
• Opportunities for Growth and Professional Development
• License and Certification renewals reimbursed

Salary : $23 - $24