Peer Support Specialist

About Interfaith Community Services:

At Interfaith, we empower individuals and families in need by providing essential resources and services with compassion and integrity. Together, we foster a community of hope, accountability, and dignity. 

Founded in 1979 in direct response to rising rates of hunger and homelessness in North San Diego County, Interfaith Community Services works to break the cycle of poverty and homelessness by Helping People Help Themselves. Interfaith is the most comprehensive nonprofit social services agency in North County, providing both immediate safety net services and long-term, life-changing programs designed to meet the holistic needs of people in crisis. Together, in partnership with 250+ diverse faith communities, more than 650 recurrent volunteers, and a growing staff of over 200, Interfaith provides a safe haven and pathway towards self-sufficiency for more than 17,000 community members annually. 

If you're passionate about making a difference and thrive in a service-driven environment, we invite you to be part of our mission

What You'll Do:

In the Peer Support role, you'll provide field-based outreach, short-term crisis intervention, and case management to individuals experiencing homelessness with Substance Use Disorders (SUD) and Serious Mental Illness (SMI). The Certified Peer Support Specialist will provide outreach and short-term case management to the North County region to connect individuals experiencing homelessness to housing, health, and other supportive services. The position will attend and support case conferencing and ensure that clients with ongoing treatment needs are successfully connected with appropriate community-based treatment programs. The position will interact closely with the interdepartmental treatment team of behavioral health clinicians, clients, associate clinicians, interns, community partners, program leadership and staff. Conducts outreach and engagement with individuals experiencing homelessness

• Conducts outreach and engagement with individuals experiencing homelessness
• Identifies, engages and links underserved populations with SUD and behavioral health services
• Provides direct services to homeless clients and families, which include: intake, assessment, referrals and case management as well as client advocacy with the goal of supporting self-sufficiency
• Facilitates acceptance of placement or other services that support and stabilize individuals moving from street to service
• Outreach teams will employ a regionalized, neighborhood-based model to buildcollaborative relationships with unhoused individuals as well as community stakeholders
• Participates in outreach events for the purpose of engagement and client linkage
• Provides direct services to clients including case management, short term counseling, crisis intervention, and linkage with longer term services
• Participates, when appropriate, in case conferences for clients receiving services
• Develops and maintains effective relationships with mental health providers and SUD treatment providers to ensure that clients with ongoing treatment needs are successfully transferred to longer term services
• Maintains accurate records and files and prepare reports as required by funders and agency administration
• Enters data into the regional Homeless Management Information Systems (HMIS) client database, the Coordinated Entry System (CES) and/or other electronic data systems as required by funders and Interfaith
• Monitors compliance with grant and contract requirements
• Ensures the confidentiality of client information and health records
• Meets regularly with Supervisor and participate in agency meetings and staff trainings
• Must complete County of San Diego Behavioral Health Services (BHS) approved peer specialist training course within 60 days of hire
• Provides trauma informed and culturally competent client services
• Performs additional duties as assigned

Requirements

Who You Are:

You're passionate about making a lasting impact, whether supporting individuals directly or enhancing our organizational effectiveness. To thrive in this role, you'll:

•  Bachelor's Degree in social services or related field; or equivalent combination of education and experience, required
•  Certified through a MediCAL-approved program, required
•  1+ years of relevant work experience, required
•  Lived experience of mental health, substance use disorder or homelessness, preferred
•  Experience working with severely mentally ill, medically fragile, and homeless populations, preferred
•  Bilingual (English/Spanish, preferred

Location: Onsite/Escondido

Hourly Rate: Not Certified: $20-$22 and Certified: $23.00-$25.00

Hours: Monday-Friday: 8am-5pm

EMPLOYMENT BENEFITS

•  Paid Time Off – Three weeks to start
•  Paid Holidays – 13 scheduled
•  Flexible Work Schedules
•  Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
•  AD&D / Group Life Insurance
•  Flexible Spending Accounts – Medical and Dependent Care
•  Matched 401(k) Retirement Plan
•  Early Release Days
•  Work Anniversary Bonuses
•  Tuition Reimbursement and Public Service Loan Forgiveness Eligibility
•  Employee Assistance Plan (EAP)
•  Home Ownership Assistance Program
•  Casual Work Environment
•  Professional Growth and Career Development Opportunities

Interfaith is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants will be considered without regard to age, race, creed, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, pregnancy, marital status, affectional or sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, disability, nationality, sex, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. In addition, Interfaith will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities.