Veteran Peer Support Specialist II

Overview Volunteers of America Los Angeles (VOALA) is a non-profit human services organization committed to serving people in need, strengthening families, and building communities. VOALA provides a variety of social services to Los Angeles area communities such as Head Start programs, Upward Bound college prep programs, veterans’ services, homeless shelters, low-income housing program as well as drug and alcohol rehabilitation. Learn more at www.voala.org. PAY RATE: $23.11- $24.33 Per Hour BENEFITS: VOALA offers competitive medical, dental, vision and retirement benefits. Responsibilities Share personal experiences, skills, strengths, ongoing support and resource referral in recovery from mental health and/or substance abuse issues. Accompany participants to appointments and meetings, housing searches, voucher application/issuance sessions, and any other veteran-centered activity. In coordination with the VPAN Squad Leader, assist participants in developing recovery plans with the skills, strengths, supports and resources to aid them in achieving goals and plans; work with case manager or treatment team in needed steps for self-directed recovery (most often within the home of the Veteran). Assist participants with setting up and sustaining self-help (mutual support) groups and with locating and joining existing groups. Acts as reference source for client to legal, community, social service, and administrative bodies as needed; facilitates support groups and client participation. Assist VPAN Squad Leader with helping the participants identify and eliminate barriers and maintain employment/housing/sobriety. Performs integration with the County’s Coordinated Entry System for housing (CES), U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), and other Service Planning Area (SPA) based systems. Essential Duties Accompany participants in efforts to obtain benefits from various veteran and community support programs. Refer clients to legal, community, social service, and administrative bodies as needed. Monitor assigned participants in the execution of recovery/service plan(s), to include home visits. Work with clients to remove barriers to full participation in aid programs. Monitoring support groups. Learning functions of VPAN Squad Leader. Perform integration with the County’s Coordinated Entry System for housing (CES), U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), and other Service Planning Area (SPA) based systems. Other duties as required and may be subject to change. Qualifications REQUIREMENTS: Must be able to pass a fingerprint clearance, background check, including criminal history, personal references, employment and education verifications. Current TB screening and Immunization Records (within 5 days of hire). Copy of Current Professional License (if applicable). Current BLS Certification (within 15 days of hire). Valid Real Driver’s License or current US Passport. Completion of all required trainings (within 30 days of hire). Education High school diploma (or GED/High School Equivalence Certificate). All VPAN staff must complete 75 hours of evidence-based training(s). The training will include but not limited to: Veteran Administration Approved Peer Certification Risk Mitigation The Veteran Family Peer Navigator model training provided by UCLA Within 90 days of hire attend and complete 2-week VA Peer Certification training. Experience At least one year of experience providing social services or similar leadership / volunteer / service experience. Personal Military experience, or experience in recovery from mental health and/or substance abuse issues, or experience in homelessness and reintegration. Preferred Qualifications Military background and/or have had immediate family member(s) who served in the U.S. military strongly preferred. Current California driver's license and clean driving record. Volunteers of America is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected Veteran Status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. This employer participates in E-Verify as required by the federal government and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S. If E-Verify cannot confirm that you are authorized to work, this employer is required to give you written instructions and an opportunity to contact the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) or Social Security Administration (SSA) so you can begin to resolve the issue before the employer can take any action against you, including terminating your employment. #J-18808-Ljbffr