Veteran Peer Support Specialist II
Veteran Peer Support Specialist II
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Job Description
About Us:
VOALA
Helping Our Most Vulnerable Change Their Life Stories
Volunteers of America is a nonprofit human services organization committed to serving people in need strengthening families and building communities. VOALA provides a variety of social services to Los Angeles area communities such as Head Start programs Upward Bound college prep programs veterans services homeless shelters lowincome housing program as well as drug and alcohol rehabilitation. Learn more at .
PAY RATE: $23.11 $24.33 Per Hour
BENEFITS: VOALA offers competitive medical dental vision and retirement benefits.
JOB SUMMARY AND PURPOSE
As a staff member of the treatment team the Peer Support Specialist II/Battle Buddy is an experienced and certified advocate who performs a wide range of tasks to assist peers in regaining independence within the community and mastery over their own recovery/reintegration process. Based on similar experiences this position offers the Veteran empathy support and advice as challenges are faced along the way. Peer Support/Battle Buddies will provide outreach support mentoring/coaching that empowers Veteran and Military Families (MilFam) and shall work closely with Veteran and MilFam to establish relevant resource linkages. The Battle Buddy adds experiencebased competencies and realworld examples that complement the training and expertise of the clinical staff members.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Share personal experiences skills strengths ongoing support and resource referral in recovery from mental health and/or substance abuse issues.
- Accompany participants to appointments and meetings housing searches voucher application/issuance sessions and any other veterancentered activity.
- In coordination with the VPAN Squad Leader assist participants in developing recovery plans with the skills strengths supports and resources to aid them in achieving goals and plans; work with case manager or treatment team in needed steps for selfdirected recovery (most often within the home of the Veteran)
- Assist participants with setting up and sustaining selfhelp (mutual support) groups and with locating and joining existing groups
- Acts as reference source for client to legal community social service and administrative bodies as needed; facilitates support groups and client participation
- Assist VPAN Squad Leader with helping the participants identify and eliminate barriers and maintain employment/housing/sobriety
- Performs integration with the Countys Coordinated Entry System for housing (CES) U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and other Service Planning Area (SPA) based systems
ESSENTIAL DUTIES:
- Provide peer counseling
- Accompany participants in efforts to obtain benefits from various veteran and community support programs.
- Refer clients to legal community social service and administrative bodies as needed
- Monitor assigned participants in the of recovery/service plan(s) to include home visits.
- Work with clients to remove barriers to full participation in aid programs.
- Monitoring support groups
- Learning functions of VPAN Squad Leader
- Perform integration with the Countys Coordinated Entry System for housing (CES) U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and other Service Planning Area (SPA) based systems
- Other duties as required and may be subject to change
Qualifications
REQUIREMENTS:
- Must be able to pass a fingerprint clearance background check including criminal history personal references employment and education verifications
- Current TB screening and Immunization Records (within 5 days of hire)
- Copy of Current Professional License (if applicable)
- Current BLS Certification (within 15 days of hire)
- Valid Drivers license
- Completion of all required trainings (within 30 days of hire)
EDUCATION:
- High school diploma (or GED/High School Equivalence Certificate)
- All VPAN staff must complete 75 hours of evidencebased training(s) The training will include but not limited to:
- Veteran Administration Approved Peer Certification
- Risk Mitigation
- The Veteran Family Peer Navigator model training provided by UCLA
- Within 90 days of hire attend and complete 2week VA Peer Certification training
EXPERIENCE:
- At least one year of experience providing social services or similar leadership / volunteer / service experience
- Personal Military experience or experience in recovery from mental health and/or substance abuse issues or experience in homelessness and reintegration
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Military background and/or have had immediate family member(s) who served in the U.S. military strongly preferred
- Current California drivers license and clean driving record
Volunteers of Americais an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race color religion sex national origin disability protected Veteran Status or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal state or local law.
This employer participates in EVerify as required by the federal government and will provide the federal government with your Form 19 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S.
If EVerify cannot confirm that you are authorized to work this employer is required to give you written instructions and an opportunity to contact Department of Homeland Security (OHS) or Social Security Administration (SSA) so you can begin to resolve the issue before the employer can take any action against you including terminating your employment.
Required Experience:
Unclear Seniority
Employment Type
Full Time
