Peer Support Specialist

Peer Support Specialist Denver, CO ( Apply Description WHAT MAKES VOA SPECIAL Volunteers of America Colorado believes unique challenges require unique and thoughtful solutions. VOA creates specialized programs to meet the critical needs of the communities we serveu2014our programs across Colorado look different because each community is distinct. We support Denveru2019s homeless veterans who have been underserved, and prepare preschoolers challenged by poverty to be successful in elementary school and beyond. Wherever we go we engage faith, relationship-building, and volunteers to lift up and support Coloradou2019s most vulnerable citizens. A Peer Support Specialist leverages and models their individual lived experience of recovery from incarceration, addiction and/or mental health concerns, along with skills in resiliency and training, to deliver supportive services in the Colorado Rapid Rehousing for Reentry setting and promotes a wholistic mind-body approach to recovery and resiliency among program participants. This role requires knowledge of homelessness, incarceration, skills with support and advocacy, and provides connection to resources and treatment. The Peer Support Specialist embodies a positive spirit of recovery and resilience grounded in hope and optimism and facilitates program participant change through goal setting, education and skills building. Essential Duties and Responsibilities + Works in collaboration with Department of Corrections, local justice partners, the Continuum of Care, the state of Colorado Department of Local Affairs Division of Housing, local mental health providers, and other local partners to provide community resources for individuals experiencing homelessness, advocates for client housing needs, works to resolve system failures to overcome housing barriers. + Peer Specialists initiate contact with program participants and connect individuals experiencing homelessness to services, including but not limited to housing resources, healthcare including Medicaid and behavioral health treatments, and public benefits including SSI/SSDI while utilizing meetings in community gathering places, coffee meetings, and other spaces as a part of the program intervention. + Follows up with individuals/households post-housing to check-in on stability and recovery progress (if applicable), assess for needs, and refers to further resources, as needed. Organizes and facilitates group activities to support community involvement, including but not limited to sober activities. + Works independently, exercises good judgment and participates as a member of a multidisciplinary team. + Demonstratable skills in operating computer programs (Word, Excel, databases), office equipment, and telephones. + Travels to service locations, agency partners, and participant residences to conduct outreach and follow-up. + Supports individuals in recovery with evidence-based practices associated with participant engagement and care. + Coordinates with case managers, clinicians, therapists, and staff to foster positive outcomes in housing and behavioral health. Peer Support Specialists are expected to collaborate with case managers and advocate alongside participants for unmet needs. + Performs all other duties as assigned Supervisory Responsibilities: NA Working Conditions and Physical Requirements u00b7 Travel throughout the programu2019s service area is required on a regular basis. u00b7 Must be able to work in diverse and, at times, uncomfortable environments such as homeless shelters, service facilities, streets, offices, and all other locations as necessary to fulfill program objectives. u00b7 Exposure to Indoor and Outdoor environments, Memory/recall, Sitting and tying/documentation of client interactions, Hearing/Listening, Verbal and Electronic (i.e. email and text message) communication. u00b7 Physical movements such as bending, kneeling, walking, and lifting (30 to 50 pounds) may be required. Position Type and Expected Hours of Work u00b7 Work hours may vary but are typically scheduled around a 40-hour workweek designed to fulfill program objectives with occasional overtime requirements. Location: Colorado Springs Veteran and Supportive services Office Pay Range : $21.00-$23.00/hr BENEFITS(eligibility is based on job type/status) + Vacation Time/Separate Sick Time + Paid Holidays/Floating Holidays/Personal Days + Volunteer/Wellness Day + Health, Dental, Vision, and Pet Insurance + Tuition Assistance + Pension Plan + 403b Retirement Plan with Agency Match + Life Insurance/Accident Insurance + Employee Assistance/Work-Life Balance Program/Employee Discount Program + LifeLock with Norton + Public Service Loan Forgiveness Volunteers of America is an EEO Employer POSITION WILL REMAIN OPEN UNTIL FILLED VISA SPONSORSHIP IS NOT OFFERED FOR THIS ROLE VETERANS ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO APPLY Employee must be able to perform essential job functions with or without reasonable accommodation and without posing a direct threat to safety or health of self or others. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily. Employee will perform job according to applied laws. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. If you require a reasonable accommodation to perform this role, please begin the Interactive Process. Requirements Competencies u00b7 Models core culture attributes of VOACO that include u201cAIRSu201d (Accountability, Integrity, Respect and Service). u00b7 Models and VOACOu2019s three strategical critical virtues of HHS (Hungry, Humble, People Smart). u00b7 Strong interpersonal skills and collaboration with Keys to Housing team members and community stake holders Minimum Qualifications of Position u00b7 Must have maintained recovery from individually identified conditions(s) for a period of at least one year. u00b7 Lived experience of incarceration and in-depth knowledge of mental health/substance use. u00b7 Colorado driveru2019s license and state-mandated automobile insurance. Preferred Qualifications of Position u00b7 Maintained recovery from their conditions(s) for over a period of one year. u00b7 Lived experience of homelessness u00b7 Lived experience with justice involvement u00b7 1 year of related experience in the field of Peer Recovery support. u00b7 Possesses personal vehicle for transportation related to program needs. (No client transportation). Knowledge and Skills u00b7Ability to learn and gain knowledge of local housing resources, navigational procedures, housing intervention levels and models. u00b7Ability to learn and gain knowledge and proficiency with access to community mental health centers and other mental health and/or substance use disorder treatment options and resources. u00b7Ability to learn and gain knowledge of VOA internal record keeping systems; accesses and documents relevant client housing and other identified goals, as well as other admin duties necessary for program function as identified for this role. u00b7 Understanding of principles and concepts of resiliency, recovery and wellness. u00b7 Demonstrable knowledge of mental health/substance abuse conditions and treatments. u00b7 Demonstrable knowledge of participant rights, fundamentals of HIPAA, confidentiality, ethics, role clarification, and professional boundaries. u00b7 Ability to learn and gain knowledge and skill in the application of Harm Reduction, Critical Time Intervention, Motivational Interviewing, Trauma Informed Care, and Housing First Principles. u00b7 Ability to work and thrive within a diverse, multicultural team environment and to respectfully and professionally serve individuals hailing from diverse backgrounds, cultures, ideologies, and religions. u00b7 Ability to take initiative and work independently. u00b7 Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing. u00b7 Ability to apply appropriate self-care in the face of often difficult and/or traumatic situations which commonly present while working with persons in need of services. u00b7Ability to maintain professional and healthy emotional and physical boundaries Salary Description 21-23/hr

Created: 2025-10-06