Supportive Housing Peer Support Specialist

Peer Support Specialist

Salary Range: $21.50 to $22.79 Per Hour Salary Note: Bilingual candidates are eligible for an additional $1.50 Bilingual Differential. This Bilingual Differential is not included in the salary range above.

Position Summary: The Peer Support Specialist (PSS) will be a part of our multi-disciplinary Supportive Housing Program. A PSS has lived experience similar to clients in this program. With this experience, the PSS helps model and teach appropriate boundaries and tenancy behavior to clients as needed, with a client-centered and trauma-informed approach. The PSS must have strong boundaries and a clear understanding of structure and accountability. The PSS will work directly with people living with HIV to help increase their housing stability. The PSS will play a critical role in utilizing harm reduction strategies and motivational interviewing to empower clients to take steps to improve their health and housing stability. PSS must be able to effectively work with a variety of providers including substance use treatment and behavioral health providers. While not all clients will be ready to enter treatment, or engage in behavioral health care, the PSS will support them in identifying harm reduction goals to decrease the negative impact of substance use and reduce the risk of HIV and HCV transmission, and support the clients in behavior change. In addition, this position coordinates access to support services provided through the Ryan White Treatment Modernization Act.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities:

• Travel: Frequently travel across service area, which may encompass multiple counties to provide in-person services, including weekly home and/or community visits. Provide frequent client transportation and accompany clients to appointments to facilitate access to treatment and other services and resources.
• Client Management: Carry an active caseload of program-eligible clients, providing direct one-on-one peer services. Able to provide services in-person, over the phone and on a drop-in basis. Assist with coverage of services.
• Onboarding: Assess clients to determine program eligibility and support program enrollment.
• Housing Support: Research and identify suitable housing options, including motel placements, permanent supportive housing, and emergency shelters. Advocate for client needs with prospective landlords.
• Health Insurance Support: Assist clients in signing up for health insurance, including Medicare, Medicaid and CAREAssist.
• Coordination of Services: Work collaboratively with Oak Program team members, Client Services department, and wider agency, landlords, medical providers, and community partners to facilitate access to housing, medical care, social services, mental health services, and public benefits.
• Documentation: Maintain accurate and timely documentation of client interactions, placements, services provided, and progress updates in agency databases. Process and collect necessary eligibility documents including Authorization for Release of Information.