Peer Navigator

Position Title: Peer Navigator

Reports to: Peer Navigator Supervisor

Job Classification: Full time; Non-exempt

Salary Range:  $18.08 - $27.07 per hour

About Us: 

Denver Rescue Mission has been serving the most vulnerable in our community for over 130 years. Our history is rooted in a love of Christ and a commitment to share that love with others. At multiple locations throughout our community, we help restore the lives of people experiencing homelessness and addiction through emergency services, rehabilitation, transitional programs, and community outreach. 

The Opportunity: 

The Peer Navigator (PN) is responsible for providing information, support, referrals, and assistance to guests experiencing homelessness who come to Denver Rescue Mission (DRM) for help. This position will work under the emergency services core strategy of the Mission, supporting guests who are new to our shelters, helping them assess barriers to housing and create a pathway out of homelessness. The PN will also collaborate with community members and service providers, especially Urban Peak, St. Francis Center, and Catholic Charities to address systemic issues faced by Denver’s homeless population. This position may include evening and weekend hours, may work at all DRM locations, and may require use of a personal vehicle (mileage reimbursed with approved insurance & driving record) or public transportation.

Responsibilities will include but not be limited to: 

Intake and Diversion Support Services

• Understands the philosophy of intake and diversion at DRM. 
• Knows resources and social services available in the Denver area. 
• Invests in building Peer Navigation relationships with guests. 
• Provides SCRIBE reports, spreadsheets and statistics as requested. 
• Prepares for and engages in weekly and monthly meetings as assigned by the Peer Navigator Manager. 
• Assists intake coordinator(s) with homeless management information system (HMIS) intakes and follows-up with persons who request a visit with peer navigators. 
• Maintains professional best practices in areas of confidentiality and professional ethics when building Peer Navigation relationships with guests. 
• Engages in ongoing training as assigned by Peer Navigator Program Supervisor. 
• Maintains an eagerness to enter into Peer Navigation relationships with guests, engaging with individuals who are accessing shelter and assessing their barriers to housing. 
• Assists guest with tasks such as finding service locations, understanding operating hours, prioritizing service provider appointments, and understanding program eligibility. 
• Helps guests locate resources that might resolve their homelessness, including walking, driving or riding the bus with them to appointments. 
• Provides referrals to agencies and resources, applications and documents, or referrals to a more stable environment such as long-term beds at Samaritan House, Urban Peak, Denver Rescue Mission, and/or the St. Francis Center. 
• Administrates all service records and case management records in Scribe and Clarity. 

PN-Focused Programming

• Prepares for team meetings and provides feedback about the direction of Peer Navigator program. 
• Collaborates with and works alongside frontline staff such as Emergency Service Coordinators (ESC), communicating with ESCs to identify those in shelter who are in need and those who are new to the environment. 
• Plans and initiates conversations and engagement activities with targeted guests including, but not limited to, providing assistance to basic needs such as clothing, creating activities that might invite our guests to engage in our community and seek support and guidance from our peer navigator team.
• Additional duties as assigned by the Peer Navigator Supervisor.

WORKING CONDITIONS 

• Occasional lifting up to 35 pounds, bending, and climbing stairs. 
• Work with individuals who are experiencing homelessness, addiction, mental illness and a myriad of other issues related to homeless populations. 
• Possible exposure to communicable diseases. 

Minimal Qualifications: 

• Must have experienced homelessness prior to this position and be stably out of homelessness for at least one year. Strong Christian ethic with a heart for ministry. 
• Peers are equal. So, in a peer navigation relationship, you are able to share power and create equal opportunity for you and your client to express ideas and opinions, offer choices and contribute to solutions. 
• Ability to obtain and maintain CPR certification within 90 days of hire date.
• Hopeful, empathetic, honest, and respectful of everyone. 
• Willing to work together with people, no matter their background, to resolve challenging issues and be an agent for positive change.
• Able and willing to be transparent, sharing your story and experiences when appropriate to encourage people to see the positive things they have gained in their adversity. 
• Have a passion for building relationships with people experiencing homelessness in our city. 
• Verbal and written communication skills, and responsiveness to communication.
• Ability to hold appropriate and Biblical boundaries and accountability with those we serve. 
• Ability to resolve conflict Biblically, professionally, and respectfully while maintaining composure under pressure. 
• Ability to work with people of diverse cultural, educational, and religious backgrounds.
• Ability to read, remember and follow precise policies and procedures.
• Basic working knowledge of Windows software applications and ability to learn SCRIBE system.
• Willingness to work either Saturday/Sunday, evenings, and be on-call for shift.
• Must be a Christian holding to the beliefs set forth in the Statement of Faith, expressed by a personal testimony and Christian conduct. 

Benefits and Perks: 

• Comprehensive health plan including medical, dental and vision benefits. 
• Generous vacation, sick time, and holiday pay, plus paid birthday off and ‘refreshment’ day. 
• Tuition reimbursement and child adoption benefits. 
• Employer paid term life insurance, long-term disability, AD&D. 
• Health savings account with generous employer contribution. 
• Flexible spending account. 
• Paid parental and bereavement leave. 
• 401(k) with up to 5% company match. 
• Please access our highlights of the benefits package we offer here: 

Denver Rescue Mission Benefits Guide 

Denver Rescue Mission is both an equal opportunity employer and a distinctly faith-based Christian organization. Denver Rescue Mission complies with applicable federal, state, and local employment laws, and strictly prohibits and does not tolerate discrimination against employees, applicants, or any other covered persons because of race, color, national original or ancestry, ethnicity, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, citizenship, parental status, marital status, political ideology, or current or prospective service in the uniformed services. This policy applies to all terms, conditions, and privileges of employment including recruitment, employment, training, and promotion opportunities. Based upon Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Colorado Anti-Discrimination Act, and the U.S. Constitution, Denver Rescue Mission has the right to, and does, hire only candidates who agree with our Statement of Faith and align with our Christian mission.