Peer Lived Experience Coordinator (Housing Insecurity/Homelessness)

Thrive is advertising this position for a non-profit leader in the Tulsa area that is working to end homelessness in Tulsa County.

COMPANY OVERVIEW:

Housing Solutions leads the charge in ending homelessness in Tulsa County, serving as the cornerstone for transformative change. As the lead agency for the HUD-funded Tulsa County Continuum of Care, we are dedicated to uniting local organizations and stakeholders to deliver essential services and create sustainable housing solutions. Our work ensures that individuals facing homelessness and housing insecurity receive the coordinated support they need to find stable housing. By joining Housing Solutions, you'll be part of a dedicated team that profoundly impacts lives and strengthens the fabric of our community through strategic partnerships and initiatives.

POSITION OVERVIEW:

The Lived Experience Coordinator will assist in planning and coordinating the engagement of people with lived experience of homelessness and justice involvement across the Continuum of Care (CoC). The primary duties of this position are the performance of administrative office work related to the management and operations of the Participant Advisory Group (PAG), Lived Experience Advisory Board (LEAB), Youth Action Board (YAB), and the Black Lived Experience Affinity Group (BLEAG). This employee must be able to exercise discretion and operate independently to make timely decisions within the parameters of internal/external policies, laws, service standards, and grant restrictions.

People with lived experiences of homelessness typically have the best understanding of the reality of our work to prevent and end homelessness - both in terms of the problems that exist and the knowledge of the services and interventions that are the most effective solutions. Therefore, it is important to meaningfully and intentionally integrate people with lived experience into the decision-making structure of our work at the system and program level. For this position to be most effective, this role must function as a peer, so we require that this employee have lived experience related to homelessness/housing insecurity.

The Lived Experience Coordinator reports to the Director of CoC Programs.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Oversee the integration of Lived Experience (LE) perspectives in the A Way Home for Tulsa collaborative, Tulsa's CoC.
• Assess opportunities for inclusion of LE perspectives across all areas of the work.
• Compile and submit proposed feedback and recommendations from lived experience feedback groups for the inclusion of LE voices in CoC activities, including task forces and special projects such as Strategic Planning efforts.
• Create and manage a network of lived experience advocacy affinity groups representative of populations over-represented/underserved within the CoC.
• Ensure systems and processes support LE inclusion.
• Conduct a review of agency and CoC LE policies and procedures, service standards, etc., and make recommendations for improvements.
• Develop resources to support LE inclusion with audiences that may require training where appropriate. Recruit, coordinate, and deploy a team of Lived Experience Advocates to across a wide variety of internal and external advocacy, operational, and strategic actions.
• Deliver end to end inclusion of LE voices in activities - including outreach, management and peer mentorship, communication, and support of lived experience advocates.
• Develop and manage foundational documents, including charters and lived experience advocate compensation policies.
• Facilitate meetings of LEAB, PAG, YAB and BLEAG including development and coordination of meeting documents and materials.
• Oversee all compensation and timekeeping for lived experience advocates.
• Work with agency leadership on the development of grants and other materials necessary to fund lived experience advocacy work o Provide peer support that coincides with the managing of LE groups (including knowledge of available community resources).
• Support the broader efforts of the CoC Program Department including special projects, system planning, supporting service provider partners, developing new partnerships/programs, etc.
• Organizational Flexibility and Crisis Response: Adapt to organizational needs during community emergencies, contributing to crisis-response efforts as required, especially during events such as severe winter weather.

REQUIREMENTS FOR SUCCESS:

• Proven capability to provide insights that drive systems change, ideally with experience in individual advocacy in the homelessness and criminal justice spaces.
• Knowledge of the homeless sectors and demonstrated ability to network and liaise with partner organizations.
• Strong communication skills and the capacity to convey complex ideas simply and distill experiences to inform policy.
• Comfort with creating materials and presenting publicly.
• Experience in meeting planning/facilitation and event planning.
• Ability to work flexibly, independently and as part of a small, driven team.
• Self-awareness, ability to manage stress and established processes for self-care.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT:

The working environment will be a hybrid of work in the field and the office/home. Will require some flexible hours for night and weekend events.

DIVERSITY & INCLUSION:

Housing Solutions is an inclusive employer and does not discriminate against any employee or job applicant because of race, ethnicity, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, disability status, age, or any other protected classes. We celebrate diversity and strive to reflect the community in which we work, to better serve our clients. We welcome and encourage applications from diverse applicants, including those who have peer-experiences related to the populations that we serve. We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. We are dedicated to fostering an environment where our employees feel respected, valued, and driven to excel. Housing Solutions is committed to promoting equity and providing reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities. Should applicants need reasonable arrangements to facilitate their interview and assessment during the recruitment and selection process, please submit your request with your application.