Peer Outreach Specialist

SPECIAL SERVICE FOR GROUPS, Inc
JOB DESCRIPTION

Title:  Peer Outreach Specialist                        Division:    HOPICS
FLSA:    Non-Exempt/Full Time (40 hours per week)        Supervisor:      Program Manager
Pay Range: $22.00 - $25.00 per hour            Revised:         12/01/23

Summary
Under the supervision of the Mental Health Program Manager and/or Senior Manager of Mental Health, and as part of a multidisciplinary team, the Incumbent will provide professional case management services in connection with outreach to, and linkage to resources and services for unhoused consumers who are primarily Central American Immigrants, and assist consumers and their significant others in increasing understanding and developing solutions to problems that lead to, and result from being unhoused. 

In this specific role, the incumbent will be specifically focusing on engaging unhoused clients in the field, building rapport and trust, and using the relationship to assist clients, who are primarily Central American immigrants, in getting linked to a wide range of services, particularly focused on linkages to a variety of levels of care of behavioral health services and physical health services. 

Essential Functions
•    Establishing rapport and trust with the community and on collecting direct feedback to better understand the community’s unique needs and to inform the development and implementation of trauma focused programming
•    Will participate in trainings and collaborate with the Traditional Healer to identify best practices related to engagement, culturally and linguistic appropriate programming, and enhance staff competency overall
•    Will offer Central American, Indigenous, and other Latin communities with access to traditional healing practices that support trauma healing and resiliency
•    Utilize evidence-based case management methods in assessing client’s immediate needs, their housing situation and needs, and the creation of case management plans to help to ameliorate issues that contribute to them being unhoused. 
•    Be able to coordinate their daily work responsibility in the field in order to provide service to clients, complete documentation, attend meetings and participate in trainings.
•    Coordinate treatment with the multidisciplinary team in the field as part of a homeless outreach effort in Service Planning Area 6. 
•    Be comfortable working with and providing assistance to unhoused clients in the field (e. g., RV, encampments, shelters, etc.)
•    Be familiar with and able to complete documentation in accordance with the guidelines established for the HOPICS BHS department, including entering all notes, care plans, and outcomes into the appropriate electronic health record system.
•    Incumbent will provide services to unhoused consumers by linking them to culturally appropriate health-related services, linking them to other programming, and by providing wrap-around case management (including providing solutions to immediate needs, linkages to benefits, housing supports, mental health treatment, physical healthcare and substance disorder programs, food support, hygiene support, linkages to employment or school resources, etc.). 
•    Be able to document effectively in accordance with established standards of care on a daily basis
•    Participate in all required meetings, trainings, collaborations, and multi-disciplinary team meetings within the program and be prepared to discuss, educate, present or evaluate the nature and progress of presenting issues
•    Coordinate program activities to meet contractual agreements, laws, regulations and funding requirements directly with the Mental Health Program Manager
•    Participate in weekly supervision (individual and/or group)
•    Assume other tasks as assigned and required for this position by the Mental Health Program Manager
•    Be required to provide a significant proportion of their services in the field.
•    Incumbent may be responsible for coordinating transportation and transporting BHS staff and clients using agency provided transportation as needed
•    Enter appropriate activity into the EHR system regularly
•    Build rapport with individuals and staff of various community organizations that serve unhoused individuals, families, low income households, and other HOPICS target populations
•    Incumbent will maintain appropriate boundaries and adhere to SSG’s Code of Ethics and HOPICS’ Core Values; Incumbent will represent the Agency and Division in a professional manner at meetings and community events
•    Incumbent will maintain regular attendance, maintain files/records on client services in compliance with HIPAA & CFR42 and other funding requirements for auditing purposes.
•    Incumbent will ensure that all client records/documentation are submitted, or a plan arranged to send them in, if the incumbent resigns from this position.

Secondary Functions 
Perform other duties as assigned by the Mental Health Program Manager and/or the Senior Manager of Mental Health. Provide support to administrative and data-related Information Technology department functions.

Minimum Qualifications - Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required
•    Bilingual English/Spanish capability is required for this position.  
•    Have familiarity and skill with indigenous languages spoken in various Latin American countries and populations preferred
•    Experience working with unhoused individuals or a similar population, and/or with lived experience of homelessness preferred
•    Ability to work with clients from diverse cultural, ethnic, and socio-economic backgrounds
•    Ability to work with unhoused clients in the field
•    Ability to communicate effectively both written and orally with collaborative entities
•    Maintain neat and professional appearance
•    Attention to detail and punctuality required; working knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, and Interne
•    Experience working with unhoused persons with co-occurring issues mental/health/disabilities/substances) preferred
•    Be able to work with co-occurring populations that present with any stand alone or combination of mental illness, health conditions and substance related concerns. 
•    Able to report (verbal/written) in accordance with the law all legal issues that arise in the course of providing services (i.e. Tarasoff, child abuse, vulnerable adult abuse, danger to self/others and grave disability, etc.)
•    Professional experience working within a multidisciplinary team. 
•    Be able to coordinate the submission of client documentation if unable to work. 
•    If in recovery, a minimum of three (3) years of being drug and alcohol free is required. 
•    Be able to produce verification of Employment Eligibility and pass a Background Clearance. 
•    TB test required (not more than (3) months prior to or (7) days after Date of Hire, and renewed annually thereafter)
•    CPR and First Aid Certification required within 30 days of employment with company, and valid Driver’s License and auto insurance required. You must have knowledge of evidence-based practices and be able to use them in the field. 
•    Must have reliable transportation

Supervisory Responsibilities
This position does not have any supervisory responsibilities.

Environmental Conditions (Working Conditions)
•    This position is responsible to work in any and all environments, including homeless encampments, in all areas of Service Planning Area 6. 
•    This position will require extensive interaction with unhoused individuals, individuals with severe physical and mental disabilities, the possibility of individuals with infectious diseases, stray animals, moving vehicles, and other possible dangers associated with working in areas of high crime.  
•    You may be exposed to aggressive/hostile clients. 
•    Be ready to deal with traumas which may activate latent personal trauma
•    Must work in conjunction with other collaborative staff members
•    Communicate with many sources including courts, Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS), LAHSA, Law Enforcement and other community agencies. 
•    Local automobile travel will be required. You may be required to use your own vehicle and be reimbursed for mileage.
•    There is some responsibility to work in noisy environments where adults are free to talk loudly and expressively. 
•    You must be able to work effectively and produce quality work under pressure. 
•    While driving to trainings or performing other duties there may be exposure to weather conditions prevalent at the time, noise, moving vehicles, high crime rate areas, odors, fumes, pollen etc.

Physical Requirements
•    The Incumbent typically spends time sitting, standing, typing, thinking, writing, walking, driving, carrying
•    (max. 25 lbs), listening, speaking.

Mental Requirements
•    The Incumbent to be able to perform effectively under any and all of the following: unpredictable situations, crises, constant distractions, interruptions, uncontrollable changes in priorities/work schedules
•    Be able to process information, think and conceptualize. 
•    You must be able to effectively deal with personal trauma that may become activated through the work.

Equipment Used
•    Computer, photocopier, fax machine, phone, and possible use of program vehicle.

Special Service for Groups is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer