Home to Hope Peer Navigator I

• For a general summary of benefits offered by the Cityplease click the benefits tab on this posting or visit City of Charlottesville manages its own retirement system which offers both a defined benefit and a defined contribution option. While the City does not participate in VRSthe City has a Portability Agreement with VRS and there are certain provisions that must be met. For questions pertaining to the Portability Agreement please contact the Citys Benefits Administrator at .

To perform this job successfully an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations will be considered to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The essential functions of the job are not limited to those listed in the job description. The City retains the discretion to add to or change the duties of the position at any time.

• Serving as the first point of contact meets greets and receives incoming visitors and contacts to the Home to Hope program as well as other services housed in the Office of Social Equity via phone email and in-person visits; takes messages and/or directs appropriately.
• Screens incoming contacts to determine if the community member qualifies for supportive services with the Home to Hope program through the current criteria for participants.
• Assists individuals with completing appropriate intake forms and document provision to enroll as a Home to Hope participant.
• Conducts follow-up with participants receiving services other community partners and service providers; provides scheduling assistance makes referrals to other departments or organizations and helps coordinate service provisions.
• Assists with removing barriers to help participants access needed services including housing benefits coordination treatment employment/vocational training etc. by making and referring participants to available community resources within the organization and community partners.
• Assists participants with resource navigation for employment-related services and solutions to employment barriers; works closely with the Downtown Job Center to support participant employment.
• Completes all documentation file notes updates and assessments accurately and within the timeframe and guidelines established by the program.
• Provides accurate and appropriate information in response to routine and more advanced inquiries explains and interprets office policies and procedures stays up to date on community resources and refers contacts to other programs services and/or resources available as needed.
• Communicates effectively and professionally with program participants colleagues and community contacts through various forms of communication (in-person electronic written phone). Ensures communications are kept confidential to support participant needs and foster trust.
• Attends and actively participates in staff meetings and other organizational events for staff. May participate in other meetings related to participant needs or services.
• Responsible for appropriate use and maintenance of City equipment tools and other resources including work time.
• Regular and reliable attendance.

• Attends all trainings as assigned and maintains all required certifications.
• Prepares reports and works on special projects as assigned.
• Performs additional duties to support operational requirements as apparent or assigned.

Education and Experience:Candidates may qualify by demonstrating the required knowledge and skills outlined for the job through experience(s) other than formal education.

• High School Diploma or GED AND general knowledge of community-based and peer support programs/services related to criminal justice mental health trauma substance abuse treatment and/or other similar area.

• An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered in lieu of the specific requirements listed above.

• Required to successfully pass a pre-employment background check and pre-employment drug screen.

• Coursework or education in sociology psychology or related field.
• Direct work experience related to human services.

• Knowledge (Familiarity with) of principles and practices of modern human services and case management.
• Knowledge (Familiarity with) of local and regional community-based organizations religious and civic groups public and private social service and education providers.
• General knowledge of standard office procedures practices and equipment.

• Intermediate: Ability to read investigate research analyze and understand written materials such as policies data technical journals multi-step instruction manuals and reference materials.

• Intermediate: Ability to organize data maintain records and writes clear and concise reports business letters explanations and summaries with proper format punctuation spelling and grammar using all parts of speech.

• Basic: Performs the four basic arithmetic operations of addition subtraction multiplication division.

• Intermediate: Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with clients co-workers city staff officials and the public. Decisions regarding interpretation of existing policies may be made. Provides and receives standard to complex information. May include interactions that involve stressful negative situations requiring significant tact and the ability to diffuse aggressive behavior and reach consensus. Requires recognizing different points of view to ensure understanding and appropriate response. Elements of persuasion may be necessary to gain cooperation and understanding.

• Requires General Direction: normally performs the job by following general instructions or established standard operating procedures and/or policies. There is some discretion when making decisions among a few easily identifiable choices of the appropriate procedure or policy to apply to duties. Understands and carries out complex oral and written instructions. Performance is reviewed frequently.

• Basic: Work requires the use of standard technical skills such as data entry and use of computer software including Microsoft Office Outlook Word Access Excel PowerPoint.

• No budgetary/fiscal responsibilities.

• No responsibility for direction or supervision of others.

• Organization and time management skills sometimes under strict time constraints
• Excellent customer service skills.
• Demonstrated ability serving culturally diverse populations.
• Works closely with others as part of a team.
• Performing multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Maintains confidentiality and works effectively with sensitive information issues and records.
• May require dealing with angry frustrated and/or upset individuals.

Physical Demands:

• Light Work: Exerting up to 25 pounds of force occasionally and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently and/ or a negligible amount of force constantly to lift carry push pull or otherwise move objects.
• Must be able to communicate information and ideas so others will understand. Must be able to exchange accurate information in these situations.
• Ability to observe details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).

• Requires the operation and use of standard office equipment including telephones computer hardware/software and any other equipment as appropriate or assigned.

• Work is primarily performed in an office environment where there may be exposure to a computer screen for extended periods of time monitor glare and dust.
• Work may involve threatening and potentially dangerous settings and disturbing circumstances.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

The City of Charlottesville is an Equal Opportunity Employer and supports workforce diversity at all levels of the organization. The City prohibits discrimination on the basis of race color creed religion national origin ancestry citizenship status age sex or gender (including pregnancy childbirth and pregnancy-related conditions) gender identity or expression (including transgender status) sexual orientation marital status military service and veteran status physical or mental disability genetic information or any other characteristic protected by federal state or local laws. The City is dedicated to this with respect to recruitment hiring placement promotion transfer training compensation benefits employee activities access to facilities and programs and general treatment during employment.

Requests for reasonable accommodation by individuals with disabilities may be requested by contacting Human Resources at or .

The City of Charlottesville conducts job related background checks reference checks and pre-employment drug tests in accordance with federal state and local law of applicants who reach the final stages of the employment selection Citys policy has not changed because of the decriminalization of marijuana in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Marijuana remains an illegal drug under federal law and it continues to be a violation of the US Department of Transportation regulations and the Citys policy prohibiting employees from testing positive for marijuana.