Peer Mentor - Outreach Worker
VOA Chesapeake

SUMMARY: The Peer Mentor provides direct outreach and pre-screening to potential individuals interested in enrolling in the Supportive Services for Veteran Families Program. Qualified candidate must possess a clear understanding of the service delivery system and the resources available for veterans and their families. Individual will provide peer support, mentoring, and coaching to SSVF program participants to help them access and navigate community and veteran resources. This individual will also serve as a quality assurance representative to veteran households accessing SSVF funds and participate as a member of the strengths-based Case Management team.

***Selected candidate must have military experience.***

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Outreach

• Identify locations frequented by potential veteran applicants (including veteran family members)
• Provide direct outreach to veterans and their families in their naturally occurring environments (i.e. home visits and community visits)
• Engage and build rapport with target population
• Provide identification of and pre-screening for eligibility of potential applicants
• Coordinate initial screening and assessment with Case Management team
• Participate in Stand Downs and other VA/community outreach activities
• Provide client access to services and community resources as needed

Support

• Provide peer support, mentoring, and coaching to SSVF participants through assistance in navigating and accessing veteran and mainstream resources
• Accompany veterans to appointments, when appropriate
• Provide peer support and mentoring in securing permanent housing
• Facilitate discussion and training in peer groups, as determined by the Case Management team
• Monitor and document participation, progress, referrals, and services provided to participant
• Assist Case Management team in preparing discharge plans and follow-up contact with SSVF program participants
• Complete paperwork and data reports as requested by the Program Team including use of HMIS

Networking

• Attend agency, community, and supervisory meetings, as needed
• Maintain working relationships with community agencies to provide comprehensive services to participants
• Maintain working relationships with veteran serving organizations
• Attend in-service trainings and outside conferences/workshops, as requested by the Program Manager

OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Comply with all applicable training requirements
• Comply with all company safety, personnel and operational policies and procedures
• Comply with work schedule to ensure effective operations of Agency programs
• Contributes positively as a member of a productive and cooperative team
• Performs other duties as necessary

Qualifications

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES: (To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these functions.)

• Able to speak, write and understand English
• Possess basic computer skills
• Must be sensitive to and respect cultural diversity amongst clients, staff and volunteers and able to work with diverse racial, ethnic and economic groups
• Flexible work schedule including evenings, nights, weekends and holidays
• Ability to set appropriate limits, work under deadlines and multi-task
• Ability to organize, prioritize, self-motivate, and deliver results
• Excellent communication and listening skills
• Possess strong work ethics
• Successfully pass Law Enforcement background screening
• Valid North Carolina driver's license if driving an agency vehicle or a personal vehicle for company business
• Must have reliable transportation
• Participate in Agency Performance Quality Improvement (PQI) program and Accreditation/ Reaccreditation process
• Mission-driven attitude supplemented with integrity and passion
• Adherence to the highest ethical standards, personally and professionally
• A high level of openness and willingness to receive feedback/suggestions from superiors and others, and to learn new skills to improve job performance

ADDITIONAL KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES: (To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these functions.)

• Basic knowledge of the resources in the community available for the veteran population, especially services and programs offered by the VA
• Have basic knowledge of severe and persistent mental illness and substance abuse
• Ability to form partnerships in the community and seek out community resources
• Strong oral and written communications
• Strong organizational, time management, and data management skills
• Proven ability to work effectively both individually and as part of a team
• Ability to multi-task and problem solve under pressure
• Ability to provide positive customer service to difficult populations

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• This position is specific to an individual with prior military experience.
• Miltary experience is required.
• Experience or education with human services, homelessness, and veteran resources is a plus
• Individual will be responsible for attending a peer support training prior to mentoring participants
• Must be able to comply with complex governmental regulations, policies and procedures and demonstrate thorough document compliance efforts and activities
• Must be proficient with data management and information systems and have basic knowledge of Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook

GENERAL PHYSICAL DEMANDS: These physical demands are representative of the physical requirements necessary for an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodation can be made, if appropriate, to enable people with disabilities to perform the described essential functions of job. Working in an office/site requires prolonged sitting at the computer workstation; standing, bending, reaching, lifting up to 20 lbs. and some driving. Requires manual dexterity sufficient to operate standard office machines such as computers, fax machines, calculators, telephones, and other office equipment. It is also required to regularly sit, speak, and listen, the employee is also required to walk, use hands and fingers to type, operate equipment, and maintain records and notes. Specific vision abilities required include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

MENTAL DEMANDS: Must handle new and diverse work problems on a daily basis. Personal maturity is an important attribute. Must be able to resolve problems, handle conflict, and make effective decisions under pressure. Must have the ability to listen objectively to people, perceive the real problem and assist in bringing issues to a successful conclusion. Must relate and interact with, volunteers, clients, contractors, visitors and employees at all levels within the Agency.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: Environment will occasionally become noisy due to equipment operations and interactions among clients and staff. There may be the possibility of being exposed to communicable disease, possible exposure to verbal abuse or similar behavior from residents/clients. On an as needed basis, employees may be called upon to work outside of the established work schedule or work odd hours. All information associated with the Agency is confidential.

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