Peer Specialist at Vita Nova, Inc.

The Peer Specialist is an individual with lived experience of homelessness or housing instability and is now in stable housing.

Job Summary

Vita Nova provides supportive services to former foster care, LGBTQIA2S , and other young adults ages 18-24. The Spot is a safe and non-judgmental drop-in center for homeless youth ages 18-24 to come in off the streets and get linked to resources and programming aimed at eliminating or reducing the risk of homelessness.

Vita Nova is currently seeking two (2) passionate and motivated part-time Peer Specialists to join our new Street Outreach Program (SOP). The Peer Specialists will work in conjunction with the SOP Outreach Coordinator to identify and support young adults ages 18-22 in the community who are experiencing homelessness, provide information, distribute essential items, and encourage young adults to engage in supportive services. The Peer Specialists will utilize knowledge and insight from their own lived experience with homelessness or housing instability to assist youth in accessing resources, building confidence, and developing skills needed to end homelessness and attain self-sufficiency. As a member of the Vita Nova team, the Peer Specialists will use a housing first approach and trauma-informed practices to build trust-based and collaborative relationships.

The Peer Specialist will assist the Outreach Coordinator in responding immediately to help clients overcome barriers to accessing services, providing advocacy where needed, and connecting individuals with critical resources. This may include transporting youth to service locations to help resolve immediate crises with the goal of promoting access to housing to end instances of homelessness. The Peer Specialists will collaborate with the Outreach Coordinator to connect with homeless youth, coordinate and conduct outreach efforts in the community, and may engage in ride-along or other activities with law enforcement homeless outreach teams.

General Accountabilities

• Make connections with young adults experiencing homelessness, build trust, and provide access to services to help end homelessness.
• Provide community-based outreach services in areas where youth experiencing homelessness are known to congregate, including but not limited to local universities and colleges, libraries, streets, parks, encampments, and so forth.
• Leverage insight and understanding from personal lived experience to build connections, provide guidance, and assist youth in skill development
• Demonstrate an ability to remain calm in crisis situations, think well on one's feet, and promote solutions in a volatile and ever-changing street environment.
• Deliver services with cultural competency and an ability to establish effective professional relationships with culturally and racially diverse staff and clients.
• Work effectively in a team
• Advocate and connect people to needed services such as medical, mental health, and substance abuse services
• Assist clients with applying for identification documents and other mainstream benefits
• Provide diversion and assessment services in the field
• Network with other area outreach workers, local shelters, and community organizations to develop and maintain effective working relationships.
• Be self-motivated with an ability to take initiative on behalf of agency and clients.
• Maintain records of individuals served, services provided, outreach activities conducted, surveys completed and other reporting as assigned.

Job Qualifications

• Lived experience with homelessness, now in stable housing
• Previous experience working with at-risk youth and/or in non-profit environment preferred
• Computer skills, including Microsoft Office Suite
• Ability to complete tasks accurately and timely with minimal supervision
• Valid Florida driver's license with reliable transportation and ability to be added to the agency's auto insurance policy
• Successful completion of a Level 2 Background Check and Drug Screen
• Experience/knowledge with federal/state/local housing programs preferred

Skills

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Effective time management, problem solving & organizational skills
• Active listening and Conflict Management skills
• Ability to prioritize tasks and meet deadlines

Physical Requirements

• General office environment (Computer and standard office equipment)
• Community-based field environment with regular walking
• Regular pushing, pulling, stretching, reaching, kneeling, stooping, and bending
• Occasional lifting and/or carrying up to 50 lbs.
• Regular travel to offsite housing and other community locations
• Ability to drive automobile, mini-van and large passenger van as required

Salary : $17 - $20