Peer Support Specialist- HERO Program

St. Patrick Center provides opportunities for self-sufficiency and dignity to people who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. Individuals and families build permanent, positive change in their lives through safe and affordable housing, sound mental and physical health, and employment and financial stability.

Working collaboratively with individuals, businesses, government and other service providers, St. Patrick Center will end chronic homelessness in the St. Louis region through Housing First, an evidence-based practice that tells us to remove barriers, do intake and assessment early, move people into housing and offer them support to achieve their goals.

Job Summary

The Peer Support Specialist, as part of the Project HERO (Housing, Employment and Recovery Opportunities) program, will provide support to veteran residents at Freedom Place. The role will provide peer services to all veterans in the program. The specialist will serve as an advocate, mentor, and liaison for and on behalf of the client. This position has mandatory on-site residency. Pay starts at $20/hourly.

Job Responsibilities

• Provide peer services to all veterans participating in the HERO program.

• Complete Program Orientation with all new admissions

• Develop and update treatment plan (ISP) with veterans weekly

• Coach veterans on actively participating in their own recovery

• Assist and train veterans on Activities of Daily Living

• Assist veterans with obtaining permanent housing and employment

• Provide crisis Intervention services as needed

• Provide transportation to program participants as needed

• Monitor morning weekend and holiday check-in’s

• Perform wellness checks with veterans as needed

• Monitor resident curfews and program compliance

• Perform monthly apartment inspections with all residents

• Update client progress in CaseWorthy HMIS system

• Outreach and follow up with veterans for one year after exiting HERO

• Facilitate groups

• Maintain client files

• Provide on-call program support.

• Attend and participate in weekly staff meetings, case conferencing, and training

• Administer Waived Testing - drug urinalysis testing.

• Other duties as assigned.

Job Requirements

• High School Diploma or GED required.

• Bachelor’s degree in social work, psychology, counseling or related field preferred

• Certified as a Peer Specialist through the Department of Mental Health.

• Experience working with adults experiencing homelessness, mental illness and substance use disorders.

• Former consumer in recovery preferred

• Knowledge of Microsoft Office programs

St. Patrick Center does not discriminate on the basis of handicapped status in the admission or access to, or treatment or employment in, its federally assisted programs and activities. St. Patrick Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, or disability.

Pre-Employment Screening

All candidates receiving an employment offer must submit a pre-employment screening. The screenings will include criminal background check and other background checks (as needed), Family Care Safety Registration, drug screen, an employment and education or licensure/certification verification, and Covid-19 and Influenza vaccination. Various positions will require physical examination, Tuberculosis screening and Hepatitis A. All offers are contingent upon successful completion of required screening.