Peer Specialist

Abode Services, one of the largest and effective nonprofits working to end homelessness in the Bay Area, is seeking a Peer Specialist for our Blossom Valley Senior Apartments  program in San Jose, CA. About Abode:  At Abode, we believe everyone deserves a safe and stable place to call home. Our mission is to solve homelessness through housing and supportive services that help individuals and families achieve stability and independence. Grounded in the Housing First model, we meet people where they are and provide individualized support based on their needs, goals, and strengths. When you join Abode, you’re not just taking a job, you’re becoming part of a team creating meaningful change in our communities and a commitment to lasting housing stability. Our Values: We start with dignity, take smart risks, be transparent, solve for today and tomorrow, and spark each other’s strengths in everything we do! The Diverse Culture:  We believe that we make better decisions and provide quality services when our workforce reflects the diversity of the communities in which we operate. People of color make up nearly 70% of our workforce and we strive to recruit and retain employees from all backgrounds.   About The Role: The Peer Specialist provides outreach, case management, or rehabilitative services.  This position, along with team members will provide outreach, engage, house, and wrap around clinical services to participants.  These participants will be identified through county data and other assessment processes as being the most frequent users of emergency services, criminal justice, and other homeless/county services in the County.  Program participants will have Serious Mental Health Disorders, Substance Use Disorders, and/or Chronic Health Conditions.   How You Make An Impact:  * Provide outreach and engagement to homeless adults to locate referred individuals.  Locations include but are not limited to encampments, parks, shelters, treatment facilities, jail, court, etc.  * Help re-engage participants enrolled in the program who have lost contact with the team.  * Assist in interviewing and completing initial intakes with clients, gathering, and assembling related information, and maintaining appropriate records and files. Maintain thorough and concise case notes.   * Assist in linking participants with community treatment services for mental health, substance recovery, physical health care, financial assistance, educational and employment services, housing, advocacy, socialization activities, and other services.  * Assist participants with establishing goals and strategies for increasing self-sufficiency. Assist participants with accessing public benefits (i.e., General Assistance, Food Stamps, and SSI).   * Support participants as they navigate the criminal justice and court systems.  Advocate for participants by interacting with judges, court mental health staff, public defenders, etc.  * Help participants develop a Wellness Recovery Action Plan.  * Provide support, role modeling, and coaching to participants in the program.  * Attend clinical, administrative, and case conferencing meetings as dictated by the program supervisor.    * Enter all data on time and correctly to support program evaluation and outcomes tracking.  * Ensure proper and timely documentation of services including written case notes using the BIRP formats and billing services to Medi-Cal.  * Assist the Program Manager, Clinical Supervisor, and other staff as needed.  * Other duties as assigned.  How You Meet Qualifications:  * High school diploma or equivalent required.  * Personal life experiences with recovery from addiction, homelessness, and/or mental health recovery required.   * Six months of field experience working with people experiencing homelessness.  * Use of personal vehicle and proof of a valid and current California Driver’s License and current insurance along with a clean DMV record required.    COMPETENCIES:  * Excellent verbal & written communication, organizational, and time management skills.  * Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with meticulous attention to detail.  * Ability to work well independently and collaboratively with teams.  * Possess an understanding of and practice cultural sensitivity.  * Experience in building rapport and engaging in the most difficult to serve participants.  * Experience and ability to build supportive and respectful working relationships with individuals with disabilities and/or are experiencing homelessness that instills hope and promotes self-determination using a strengths-based approach.    * Sensitivity to and understanding of the special needs of the homeless.  * Proficiency in Microsoft Office programs, systems, and platforms.  * Ability to learn and use required mobile devices and business-related applications.  * High degree of emotional intelligence, cultural humility, with a proven track record to build and maintain effective relationships with a wide variety of internal and external contacts.  Our Benefits and Perks:  * Compensation: $25.00-$27.50 per hour * Schedule: Full-time, 40 hours per week, Non-Exempt * Work Arrangement: Onsite : Monday-Friday  9:00am-5:00pm * PTO:19 days per year, increasing with tenure * Holidays: 12 paid holidays per year * Health & Wellness: * 100% medical, dental and vision coverage options for employees * Agency dependent health care contribution  * Employee Assistance Program (EAP) * Flexible Spending Account (FSA) * Retirement Plan: 403(b) Plan w/ Employer Match & Contribution Programs * Voluntary Benefits: * Commuter Assistance * Life Insurance * Legal Services * Mission Driven Culture: Join a team that's passionate about making a meaningful impact in the fight to end homelessness.  Notice: This description is to be used as a guide only. It does not constitute a contract, commitment or promise of any kind. Abode Services reserves the right to change, add, delete, upgrade, or downgrade the position as dictated by business necessity at any time with or without notice.   Notice: Abode Services is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Drug Free Workplace