peer specialist

The Lord's Place is a dynamic, passion-driven social impact organization in Palm Beach County providing innovative, compassionate and effective services to homeless men, women and children in our community. We are an organization committed to building an inclusive, varied workplace welcoming to people of all backgrounds. We have consistently ranked nationally as a Best Nonprofit to Work For and as a Best Place to Work in Florida.

What makes us one of the best places to work, besides having mission-focused employees who live our core values?

• Generous paid time off including vacation, sick leave, and holidays
• Maternity/Paternity Leave
• 401k with automatic 3% employer contribution
• Exceptional benefits including health, dental, vision, life, short and long-term disability, supplemental insurances
• Employee assistance
• Tuition Reimbursement
• And much, much more

We are seeking a Peer Specialist to join our Family Campus team. Under the direction of the Director of Family Services, the Peer Specialist provides consumer support directly to individuals and families experiencing homelessness in the utilization of appropriate community resources, engagement, and development of wellness and recovery skills. The Peer Specialist utilizes their lived experiences and demonstrates an ability to use their personal narrative in the service of assisting others. The Peer Specialist provides information, support, assistance, and advocacy for individuals and families who are eligible for homelessness services. The Peer Specialist is uniquely poised to provide collaborative and person-centered support services from a peer perspective.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Develops effective working relationships with agencies, organizations, and community members to respond and advocate for individuals and families experiencing homelessness.
• Provides peer support and self-help services to individuals and families experiencing homelessness as appropriate, including engagement, coaching to develop self-advocacy, communication, and empowerment skills.
• Informs, supports, and empowers individuals and families experiencing homelessness.
• Communicates effectively, represents and promotes the consumer and/or family members' perspective within mental health, homelessness, reentry, and other relevant systems.
• Assists in the development and coordination of activities, programs, and resources which directly support individuals and families who experience homelessness.
• Attends and participates in special events, conferences, and workshops and trainings within the community.
• Focuses on and is sensitive to client satisfaction with the services received and general satisfaction with services provided.
• Attends and participates in supervision and multidisciplinary meetings.
• Provides transportation in company vehicle throughout Palm Beach County.
• Documents all activities as required.
• Collaborate with the Advancement Department as it applies to gifts-in-kind and sharing client stories to aid the department with necessary information to share the impact of The Lord's Place with our community.
• Perform additional duties as assigned by the Family Campus Supervisor according to business needs.

Recovery Oriented System of Care (ROSC)

Staff are expected to integrate and adopt the principles of a Recovery Oriented System of Care in their delivery of services. Recovery-oriented services are:

• Strength-based approaches that promote hope
• Anchored in the community
• Person- and family-directed
• Supportive of multiple pathways toward recovery
• Based on family inclusion and peer culture, support, and leadership
• Individualized approaches that are holistic, culturally competent, and trauma informed
• Focused on the needs, safety, and resilience of the participants that we serve
• Approaches that encourage choice
• Grounded in partnership and transparency
• Focused on supporting people with creating a meaningful, fulfilling life in their community

Requirements:

• High School diploma or GED preferred.
• Must pass a level 2 DCF background screening.
• Must have a valid Florida driver's license with a clean driving record.
• If eligible, holds, or is willing to obtain Certified Recovery Peer Specialist (CRPS) certification with the Florida Certification Board.
• Demonstrates a working knowledge and ability to model recovery values including hope, education, self-advocacy, personal responsibility and support.
• Must have some type of "lived experience."
• Preferred qualification is completion of Peer Support Specialist training with additional mental health training. If training has not been completed, Peer Specialist must complete as soon as is feasible based on the availability of training.
• Familiarity with local social service agencies, community resources, and support services preferred.
• Requires excellent verbal and communication skills.
• Requires ability to maintain confidentiality of all information.
• Requires basic knowledge of Microsoft Word, internet software and a web-based database.
• Ideal candidates are not required to have received services with the Lord's Place. All candidates who identify as being a peer are eligible for hire. Former clients will not receive special consideration.
• Requires ability to conduct numerous and frequent client interviews both in an office and community setting.
• Requires ability to operate business equipment used daily within the organization.
• May require lifting up to 15 lbs