COVENANT HOUSE CALIFORNIA

Job Description YHDP Peer Support Specialist

Become a part of an exciting and dynamic organization that makes a difference in the lives of youth experiencing homelessness and trafficking. Covenant House California (CHC) is a non-profit agency whose mission is to serve youth (18-24) offering safety, hope, and opportunities to turn their lives around.

We are looking for applicants who have both lived experience and experience working with youth that has experienced homelessness, who have traumatic histories, identify as LGBTQ, are gender non-conforming, and/or who often face multiple issues and have complex needs. This person will have the knowledge and/or experience working with youth development programs, utilizing a harm reduction framework, using trauma-informed practices, and will value working with a multi-disciplinary team to create a safe inclusive environment for all.

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Peer Support Specialist will be based in the Housing Resources Center / Wellness Center and will work under the supervision of the Support Services Director. The position will be responsible for assisting/ supporting the youth in completing assessments, assisting the youth in the wellness center with resources that meet their needs, linking them to services and supports, as well as providing workshops. Work includes engaging with youth experiencing homelessness surviving on the streets of Alameda County, in other drop-in centers across the County, on Junior College Campuses, and in CHC Wellness Center. The position is responsible for working collaboratively with CHC teams, staff, and other service providers in the community. The position requires a passion and skillset for positive youth engagement, the ability to problem-solve creatively, and comprehensive case management activities including building relationships, linkages, crisis prevention, and intervention.

CLASSIFICATION: Non-Exempt 40 hours per week
SALARY RANGE: $22.50 per hour

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

1. Model positive youth engagement and support throughout the Wellness Center to all youth experiencing homelessness. Maintain a safe youth-focused environment, support referrals and linkages for youth, provide support in the space, complete case management-related tasks as assigned, and lead/co-lead workshops and activities as needed.
2. Develop and maintain strong collaborative relationships with staff from local and state resources as required by the County. Support agency implementation of assessment tool to aid youth in the admission and application procedures for relevant housing programs
3. Maintain a strong understanding of community housing resources, mental health issues, and state and county resources available for youth experiencing homelessness.
4. Work with your supervisor and the team to create safe, inclusive, and affirming spaces for all youth that we welcome into the HRC or Wellness Center space. Participate in any Youth Advisory Boards or Youth Action boards as appropriate. In addition, helps youth get connected and engaged in those opportunities.
5. Maintain a strong understanding of best practices in the field with regard to engagement, outreach, and intervention strategies specifically targeting runaways, homeless, and those in danger of sexual exploitation.
6. Develop and maintain strong interventions for programs that stem from the framework of trauma-informed, harm reduction, and positive youth development models.
7. Ensure that all written correspondence, demographic data, contract reports, and all other documentation are completed and submitted for review in an accurate and timely manner in ETO and HMIS.
8. Act as a representative of Covenant House California when attending community meetings or forums on issues centering on homelessness or mental health issues. Maintain a presence at North-County Outreach Collaborative and other community-based meetings as appropriate.
9. Travel between the spaces located in Oakland and Hayward. Collaborate with the other team members in those locations and ensure that youth know when and where to find us.
10. Attend all onsite trainings hosted by CHC and those that are hosted by the County. Stay up to date on all HMIS and trainings and reporting guidelines with the team.
11. Other duties as assigned.

JOB REQUIREMENTS:

EDUCATION: High School diploma or GED preferred but not required.

EXPERIENCE: Lived experience is required. Minimum of 1-2 years of youth work experience is required in addition to having experience working with community-based programs for youth experiencing homelessness and vulnerable populations. Must be a self-starter and team player with the ability to work with other staff members, clients, vendors and the public.

SKILLS: Must exercise appropriate independent authority when needed. Must have the ability to make independent decisions for client placement. Must be knowledgeable in the areas of crisis intervention, mental illness, and community-based service delivery. Must have good organizational skills. Must have excellent verbal and written communication skills.

TRANSPORTATION: Must have reliable transportation. A valid California driver’s license with a good driving record is preferred.

WORKING CONDITIONS: Full Time, must be able to stand for extended periods of time, bend and lift as needed 30-40 pounds.

SUPERVISORY: N/A

Covenant House California does not and shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status, in any of its activities or operations. These activities include, but are not limited to, hiring and firing of staff, selection of volunteers and vendors, and provision of services. We are committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all members of our staff, clients, volunteers, subcontractors, vendors, and clients.

Covenant House California is an equal opportunity employer. We will not discriminate and will take affirmative action measures to ensure against discrimination in employment, recruitment, advertisements for employment, compensation, termination, upgrading, promotions, and other conditions of employment against any employee or job applicant on the bases of race, color, gender, national origin, age, religion, creed, disability, veteran's status, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression.