Certified Peer Support Specialist - Youth Empowered Solutions to Succeed

Note: Please review this document containing Peer Support certification requirements before applying: https://dsamh-training.utah.gov/_documents/peerSupport/HowToApply_CPSStraining_2.23.23.pdf

Schedule: Full Time, benefits-eligible!
Pay: $20 per hour

Benefits - Approximate full-time benefits package value = $21,000+:

• Low-cost medical, dental, and vision coverage. Health savings account. 403b retirement plan with employer match (50% match up to 3%).
• Employee Assistance Program for all employees
• 33 paid days off: 11 observed paid holidays, 12 sick days, and 10 vacation days to start. Vacation increases to 12 days after 1 year, 15 days after 2 years, and more at 5 and 9 years of service.
  • Sick and vacation time accrue hourly per pay period.
• $50,000 in employer-paid life insurance; additional coverage available.
• $1,200 annual employer contribution to your Health Savings Account (paid quarterly).
• Employee Referral Program including cash bonuses and paid time off.

Volunteers of America, Utah provides community-supported paths for those who are vulnerable to improve their lives and increase their self-reliance. In alignment with our mission, VOA Utah encourages individuals with lived experience to apply. We recognize that a person’s life experiences can provide firsthand knowledge relevant to being successful in the work that we do.

Program Mission

To recognize and meet the distinctive needs of youth ages 16-25 who are experiencing homelessness and serious mental illness by providing shelter, mental health care, case management, life skills training, connection to community services and resources with the ultimate goal of assisting all clients in obtaining safe and stable housing and mental health care.

Position Summary

The YESS Peer Support Specialist will seek out and connect with youth ages 16-25 experiencing homelessness and serious mental illness that are either currently staying in a homeless resource center, unsheltered, or housed and act as a liaison to mental health services provided through the YESS program. This individual will utilize their lived experience as a means to support and educate clients about accepting and participating in mental health and/or substance use treatment with the objective of promoting stabilization to secure/maintain housing, and other client led goals. The YESS team is located at the Youth Resource Center, which is an emergency shelter and drop in day center for youth experiencing homelessness.

Essential Duties

• Serve as a peer mentor to clients by offering a positive example of a person with lived experience who has been successful in managing their own recovery of mental health, substance use disorder, and/or experience of homelessness.
• Educate clients about community resources (including YESS program case management and therapy) and harm reduction practices.
• Provide crisis intervention as necessary utilizing de-escalation skills and trauma informed care.
• Develop and maintain professional working relationships with all resource center staff and other service providers.
• Attend weekly staffing/clinical staffing meetings; participate and present client information at said meetings to assist in developing and implementing individualized treatment plans.
• Utilize both internal tracking sheets and required case note web infrastructure in a timely and accurate manner.
• Provide ongoing assessment, problem solving, side-by side services, and skills support to assist clients with activities of daily living.
• Meet with housed clients in their homes and provide ongoing support for them as they stabilize in housing.
• Attend work on a punctual, regular, and predictable basis.
• Provide outreach and initiate contact with potential clients within the Youth Resource Center.
• Create and run in-house groups to support clients in connecting and learning new skills.

High school diploma or GED and any combination of education, experience, and training which provides the following knowledge, skills, and abilities:

• Direct experience with homelessness, mental illness and/or substance use disorders and demonstration of a level of recovery sufficient to manage own mental health/recovery and function independently.
• Active Peer Support Specialist Certification or currently pursuing certification by Participation in the State of Utah’s program for Peer Support Certification.
• Ability to independently plan, prioritize, and execute own work to ensure completion of daily tasks.
• Ability to uphold professional boundaries, confidentiality regulations, agency policies and procedures, and interact in a professional manner with a diverse workforce, clients, and the public.
• Willingness to accept weekly supervision and ongoing feedback.
• Ability to move around the facility and interact with clients for extended periods of time.
• Must be at least 21 years of age, possess a current driver's license, have a good driving record and be insurable on the agency auto insurance policy.
• Must be able to pass pre-employment background check and drug screen.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office.

Submit resume on the career page of our website: www.voaut.org/careers

Volunteers of America, Utah is committed to creating a diverse environment, where all people feel valued, have the opportunity to do their personal best and where leadership development is fostered. The organization is proud to be an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. All employment decisions are based on business needs without regard to race, ethnicity, skin color, nationality, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, mental and developmental abilities, physical ability or religious belief. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply.