Job Announcement – Housing Peer Support Specialist
November 20, 2019 Position: Housing Opportunities for People Living with HIV/AIDS (HOPWA) Housing Peer Support Specialist
Department: Health and Housing
Job Description: The HOPWA Housing Peer Support Specialist works directly with women living with HIV who are either homeless or housed to maintain and/or acquire housing. The Peer Support Specialist would be available to assist in any life skills support services and education that will benefit women to live well independently and with their families, to access needed supports to maintain housing, and to help women access all needed eligibility requirements to access housing throughout the community. The Peer Support Specialist will work with current medical care managers, Empowerment housing staff, community landlords and resources/supports to ensure participant needs are being met.
HOPWA Housing Peer Support Specialist is responsible for:
- Understanding and implementing the HOPWA Scope of Work and completing required documentation
- Supportive, non-judgmental peer counseling in which participants can explore their options and issues related to housing; ranging from external obstacles such as poverty, to psychological obstacles such as long-term impacts of trauma
- Providing individualized treatment services that change with the needs and desires of the participant
- Transporting participants to important medical, benefits, or housing appointments
- Meeting participants in their home and community to provide needed support and assistance
- Life skills education: psycho-educational groups and individual education
- Referrals to support services that support maintaining or accessing housing (benefits, employment, in-home services/HCBS, mental health treatment, substance use treatment, community resources for furniture/home goods, food banks, transportation services, etc).
- Assistance with accessing necessary documents for housing & other resources such as identification, birth certificate, social security cards, etc.
- Advocating for participants in landlord/tenant issues
- Understanding and implementing gender-responsive and trauma informed care
Other Responsibilities Include:
- Agency Team Meetings
- Maintaining Self-Care
- Other duties as assigned
Qualifications:
- Must have reliable vehicle, valid driver’s license and insurance.
- Working understanding of harm reduction theory and trauma informed services, preferred.
- Applicable professional or life experience is preferred.
- Experience working with a diverse population.
- Ability to handle stressful situations with participants who may be dealing with trauma and loss.
Benefits:
- Commensurate salary
- Excellent benefits, including health/dental available, paid vacation, sick and holidays,
- Friendly work environment with a diverse and committed staff.
To Apply: Submit resume and experience to Lynn Thayer. Please, no calls.
lynn-thayer@empowermentprogram.org
Fax: 303-320-3987
www.empowermentprogram.org
The Empowerment Program is an Equal Opportunity Employer
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