Peer Coach

About Homeward Pikes Peak

The mission of HPP is to work with individuals and families in our community to achieve their full potential through supportive housing and recovery services, to rebuild dignity and self-sufficiency, and permanently exit homelessness. Our efforts focus on overcoming the barriers
to developing and maintaining stable housing and sober living. To do this, we adhere to commonly held social work values of service, social justice, dignity and worth of the person, importance of human relationships, integrity, and competence. We believe that these values infuse the work of HPP and are a guidepost to which our staff and partners should aspire.

Position Summary

This position is part of a multi-disciplinary team and provides supportive services, advocacy, and peer coaching as a supplement to housing Case Management. The Peer Coach will be responsible for supporting residents at The Commons, our single-site residential facility. The Peer Coach will model competencies in personal recovery and life skills. The position will generally have set hours to meet the needs of residents during the day, evening, and weekends. This position reports to the Director of Housing. Discussions regarding individual assignments to specific shifts will occur during the interview and hiring process and will be finalized with the Supervisor.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Assist clients in articulating personal goals for recovery using one-to-one and group sessions.
• Mentor clients in their recovery and work with the Case Manager and treatment team to ensure the client is working through their individual service plan.
• May employ motivational interviewing and support to build the life skills of residents.
• May attend appointments with clients.
• Provide resources and referrals for clients and help them engage in sober activities that will support early and sustained recovery.
• Assist clients in developing communication and interpersonal skills.
• Assist clients in managing triggers and stressors, teach clients relaxation techniques, assertiveness skills, and healthy ways of communicating their needs.
• Assist clients in setting up and sustaining self-help (mutual support) groups, as well as means of locating and joining existing groups.
• Support clients’ vocational choices and assist them in choosing a job that matches their strengths, overcoming job-related anxiety by reviewing job applications, and providing interview tips.
• Assist clients in building social skills in the community that will enhance job acquisition and tenure.
• Identify any problems, challenges, or obstacles in the coordination of services, identify potential solutions, and resolve such problems, challenges, or obstacles in a timely manner.
• Manage a calendar to track internal, client, and program schedules.
• Document intervention activities in an accurate and timely manner and seek consultation from a supervisor or other staff as necessary.
• Enter data into, and maintain, accurate records of activities in electronic health record and other tracking applications.
• Provide excellent customer service to internal and external stakeholders.
• Provide information on program services and respond courteously to queries.
• Demonstrates compassion and empathy for people in recovery and those still suffering from the disease of addiction.
• Is an active listener and can be trusted with confidential information.
• Serve as a role model and mentor for others.
• Is willing to provide a consistent source of honest feedback regarding self-destructive patterns of thinking, feeling, and acting.
• Identifies and helps resolve obstacles to recovery.
• Acts as a broker, linking individuals and families to formal and informal sources of sober activities, employment, counseling, treatment, and recovery support.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES

• Lived Experience is useful for understanding the culture of a supportive housing program within a housing-first model.
• Advanced understanding of the mental health and substance abuse recovery process. Peer Recovery Coach Certificate preferred.
• First Aid Certified and CPR trained requirement; Mental Health First Aid by NAMI requirement (or within first 30 days of employment).
• Must be able to meet the physical requirements of the job description including the ability to move or lift 25 lbs. on a regular basis and heavier on occasion.
• Driver’s license and personal vehicle insurance are required.

HOMEWARD PIKES PEAK TEAM RESPONSIBILITIES

• Participate in weekly supervision.
• Attend and participate in team and staff meetings.
• Produce documentation timely as requested for audits or other business requirements.
• Maintain office environment to professional standards.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit at a desk or conference table; and talk or hear when interacting with various individuals and groups. The employee is occasionally required to stand while conversing with various individuals, and walk throughout the facility and to/from vehicles and properties. The employee occasionally is required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel to operate the computer or telephone; may be required to stoop, kneel, or crouch to communicate with residents and to place items in or get items from low drawers or shelves; and taste or smell to make sure that the food and environment are pleasing to residents and their families. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds, which is generally office supplies such as reams of paper, files, and forms, and may include small furniture occasionally.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee may be exposed to airborne viruses, bacteria, or other bodily pathogens carried by residents. The employee is occasionally exposed to outside weather conditions and fumes or airborne particles when driving from one HPP location to another or participating in an outdoor resident social activity. The noise level in the work environment can range from quiet while in a private office to loud while driving, attending a large residential social event or visiting resident common areas where there are televisions and equipment operating, phones ringing, light to heavy traffic, and people talking.

COMPENSATION* AND BENEFITS

*This position is entirely supported by grant funds, whose funding will be reviewed on a periodic basis. Accordingly, the position’s status may be affected over time by any applicable variations in the grant and/or funding amounts. The pay range for this position is $19 – $22 per hour. This is a part-time position authorized to work 35 hours or less per week.

HPP offers paid holiday, vacation, and sick leave for part-time employees. Participation in 401K is also offered.

Please send a cover letter and resume to info@homewardpikespeak.org

Homeward Pikes Peak is an equal-opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state, or local laws. This policy applies to all employment practices within our organization, including hiring, recruiting, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, leave of absence, compensation, benefits, training, and apprenticeship. Homeward Pikes Peak makes hiring decisions based solely on qualifications, merit, and business needs at the time.