Peer Specialist - Women'S Services - F/T Position

The Lord’s Place is a dynamic, passion-driven social impact organization in Palm Beach County providing innovative, compassionate and effective services to homeless men, women and children in our community. We are an organization committed to building an inclusive, varied workplace welcoming to people of all backgrounds. We have consistently ranked nationally as a Best Nonprofit to Work For and as a Best Place to Work in Florida.

What makes us one of the best places to work, besides having mission-focused employees who live our core values?

• Generous paid time off including vacation, sick leave, and holidays
• Maternity/Paternity Leave
• 401k with automatic three percent employer match
• Exceptional benefits including health, dental, vision, life, short and long-term disability, supplemental insurances
• Employee assistance
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Flexible work environment
• And much, much more!

We are seeking a Peer Specialist to join our Women’s Services team. The peer will provide services directly to individuals in the program and work closely with Client Advocates. The hours are typically 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday – Friday, but may vary to include earlier and/or later hours and weekends as needed.

The Peer Specialist utilizes their lived experiences and demonstrates an ability to use their personal narrative in the service of assisting others. The Peer Specialist assists in the utilization of appropriate community resources, engagement, and development of wellness and recovery skills and provides information, support, assistance, and advocacy. The Peer Specialist is uniquely poised to provide collaborative and person-centered support services from a peer perspective.

Some essential functions and responsibilities include:

• Provides peer support and self-help services to residents as appropriate, including engagement, coaching to develop self-advocacy, communication, and empowerment skills.
• Assists in a variety of support activities including peer support groups, peer recovery and/or psycho-educational groups.
• Collaboratively works with peers in the development of strength-based wellness and recovery plans to overcome barriers to good mental health.
• Develops effective working relationships with agencies, organizations, and community members to respond and advocate for individuals and families from a peer perspective.
• Communicates effectively, represents and promotes the resident and/or family members’ perspective within mental health, homelessness, reentry, and other relevant systems.
• Attends and participates in special events, conferences, and workshops and trainings within the community.
• Responsible for medication distribution and record-keeping.
• Responsible for operation of the food pantry for food distribution to residents. This includes procurement, inventory, storage, and rotation of stock.
• Responsible for food bank retrieval and distribution.
• Responsible for documenting client information in resident file, and HMIS and ETO within designated time frame.
• Focuses on and is sensitive to client satisfaction with the services received and general satisfaction with services provided.
• Attends and participates in supervision and multidisciplinary meetings.
• Assists program staff to implement day-to-day program activities.
• Provides transportation in company vehicle throughout Palm Beach County.
• Documents all activities as required.

Requirements for the position include:

• If eligible, hold, or is willing to obtain Certified Recovery Peer Specialist (CRPS) certification with the Florida Certification Board.
• Must pass a level 2 background screening.
• Upholds the highest ethical standards and SAMHSA’s Core Competencies.
• Experience working with clients in recovery, CAP certified preferred.
• Must possess a valid driver’s license and a clean driving record.
• Demonstrate working knowledge and ability to model recovery values including hope, education, self-advocacy, personal responsibility and support.
• Requires High School diploma, or GED.
• The preferred qualification is completion of Peer Support Specialist training with additional mental health training. If training has not been completed, Peer Specialist must complete within 6 months of hire.
• Familiarity with local social service agencies, community resources, and support services preferred.
• Requires excellent verbal and communication skills.
• Requires the ability to maintain confidentiality of all information.
• Requires basic knowledge of Microsoft Word, internet software, and a web-based database.
• Ideal candidates are not required to have received services with The Lord’s Place. All candidates who identify as being a peer are eligible for hire. Former clients will not receive special consideration.