SUMMARY OF JOB PURPOSE:

Responsible for supporting homeless youth/young adults to move toward self –advocacy, self sufficiency, increase skills and maintain housing of their own. Provide support and assistance to individuals and families experiencing homelessness.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

This class specification lists the major duties and requirements of the job and is not all-inclusive. Incumbent(s) may be expected to perform job-related duties other than those contained in this document and may be required to have specific job-related knowledge and skills.

• Interact with the youth/young adult as a peer by sharing common experiences and modeling resiliency and recovery.
• Assist in engaging youth/young adults involved with the welfare system, justice system, education system, and youth and family organizations.
• Assist youth/young adults in understanding components of recovery and resiliency and in applying skills to achieve life goals.
• Assist peers in choosing, obtaining and keeping wellness and healthy lifestyle related goals. 
• Ask facilitative questions to help peers gain insight into their own personal situations.
• Empower peers to find solutions for health problems and concerns they are facing.
• Help peers to find their own solutions by asking questions that give them insight into their wellness status.        
• Assist in identifying steps to take to achieve a health and wellness related goal.
• Use a variety of methods, tailored to the individual, to move through the process of setting and reaching health and wellness related goals. 
• Provide individualized direct support to peers according to that person’s plan by supporting the individual’s choice and building confidence, leading to a greater degree of independence.
• Work cooperatively and effectively with individuals and groups from diverse populations.
• Act as an advocate for individuals and their families, as appropriate; encourage and support self- advocacy.
• Provide structure and support to promote personal progress and accountability.
• Work with individuals in 1:1 sessions in home, office and community settings.
• Selectively use self disclosure to inspire and support. 
• Ensure data is entered into Homeless Management Information Systems (HMIS) daily.
• Explain and review the lease and sublease agreement with the incoming client(s)/sub-tenant.
• Conduct follow-up with clients/sub-tenants and landlords after housing placement; assist Case Management staff in mediating any landlord/sub-tenant issues that may arise.
• Work with TH- RRH Case Managers; develop a plan with clients to maintain housing and move to permanent housing.
• Maintain thorough and accurate progress notes, files, and correspondences while maintaining confidentiality of tenants, successfully deal with client issues and concerns.
• Participate in ongoing program development and enhancement at partner agencies, building on the strengths of youth/young adults and maintaining youth/young adults’ connections to the community.
• Support agency staff in efforts to engage youth/young adults in services.
• Participate in the development and implementation of workshops/groups to help promote empowerment, advocacy and life skills through agency resources.
• Serve as a resource for youth/young adults served by the agencies during scheduled appointments or designated drop-in hours.
• Report any concerns that arise when working with youth/young adults as specified in mandated reporting training.
• Maintain accurate records and files; prepares correspondence, reports, training information and a variety of written materials.
• Attend ongoing training that will benefit program participants and their families.
• Coaches and role models behaviors of someone who can maintain their own home.
• Encourages the client to complete and make progress towards their goals. 
• Conducts weekly safety and wellness check-ins using various means of communication.

QUALIFICATIONS:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

Education and Experience:

• High school or equivalent work experience (Required)
• Peer Support: 1 year (Preferred)
• Certification as a Peer Support Specialist (Preferred) or acquire within (6) six months of date of employment.
• Lived Homeless Experienced (Required)

Required Knowledge and Skills

• Ability to be “emotionally present” with youth/ young adults.
• Ability to work with diverse populations and accept differences in perspective and values.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Conflict resolution and mediation skills.
• Ability to function in a team setting.
• Ability to maintain up-to-date documentation.
• Demonstrated desire and ability to work with individuals and families who are homeless, providing appropriate support, motivation, and compassion.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Good organizational and time management skills
• Knowledge of general office practices and use of general office equipment
• Ability to work well under stressful conditions
• Federal, state and local laws related to operations.
• Standard office practices and procedures, including filing and the operation of standard office equipment; record keeping principles and practices.
• Computer applications related to the work.
• Correct business English, including spelling, grammar and punctuation.
• Techniques for working with a wide variety of people from various backgrounds where relations may be strained or confrontational. 

Skill in:

• Organizing own work, setting priorities and meeting critical deadlines.
• Reviewing and evaluating transition plans and providing constructive recommendations.
• Preparing clear and concise reports, correspondence and other written materials.
• Working successfully with a variety of individuals from various socioeconomic, ethnic and cultural backgrounds, in person and over the telephone, often where relations may be confrontational or strained.
• Communicate effectively both verbally and in writing; to establish positive public relations; and to interact effectively with a diverse array of professionals and participants.
• Contributing effectively to the accomplishment of team or work unit goals, objectives and activities.

REQUIRED CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, AND REGISTRATIONS:

Continued employment is contingent upon all required licenses and certificates being maintained in active status without suspension or revocation.

• Nevada driver’s license.
• CPR and First Aid certification within six (6) months of date of employment.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS & WORKING ENVIRONMENT:

The physical demands described herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

Mobility to work in a home and office setting, use standard home appliances and office equipment; drive a motor vehicle in order to transport members; vision to read printed materials; stamina to sit, stand and walk for extended periods of time; strength to lift and carry up to 20 pounds; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen, and hearing and speech to communicate in person and over the telephone.

Work is subject to performance under exposure to adverse environmental conditions, and extensive travel.