On-Site Live-in Annex Peer Support Mentor

Job Title: On-Site Live-in Annex Peer Support Mentor

Reports To: Regional Shelter Manager

FLSA: Non-Exempt

Location: Onsite, Variable Schedule (32 – 40 hours per week), ranges from 8am – 8pm and may include weekend days

Why work at MCCAC?

Mid-Columbia Community Action Council (MCCAC), located in the heart of the beautiful Columbia River Gorge, serves Hood River, Wasco and Sherman Counties. MCCAC offers programs and services to ensure our most vulnerable community members have access to healthy, safe, stable and affordable housing. This is accomplished through our housing, energy/utility payment assistance and weatherization programs. MCCAC envisions a thriving community where our friends and neighbors have opportunities to be successful and thrive.

Summary:

The On-Site Annex Shelter Peer Mentor provides peer support to clients who may be experiencing mental and behavioral health issues in the community and addiction. This position facilitates contact with providers, assists with transportation planning (using public transportation) and other issues that may be barriers to accessing treatment and/or support in the community. The Peer Support Specialist provides training in independent living skills, documents client progress and issues, and conducts program outreach as necessary. This role may support any one of the agency’s departments, including Adult Mental Health, Children and Family Services, Community Support Services, and Mobile Crisis.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

· Meet regularly with clients; train in independent living skills and model same behaviors; provide feedback or other documentation as necessary.

· Advocate on behalf of clients and promote self-advocacy; maintain client networks in the community; conduct outreach activities in local communities.

· Assist clients with applications for community-based services.

· Communicate with treatment team about problems or concerns; participate in ongoing support network with other Peer Support Specialists. Participate in team meetings with other MCCAC staff.

· Coordinate and facilitate oversight of outings/activities. Facilitate group planning of activity; ensure the group is in agreement. Accompany group on outings; ensure safety; provide transportation as required and appropriate.

· Ensure that safety procedures are followed.

· Transportation education and support within the community for accessing local transit services, helping residents get a ride, and then going with them.

· Actively train clients in maintaining shared spaces and guest unit cleanliness, model behaviors and assist with property management when necessary.

· Data entry into HMIS System including needs request forms, daily reports, incident reports, and DAP notes.

· Regular and reliable attendance; professional communication with all contacts; maintain confidentiality.

Qualifications & Skills:

· Must live on-site.

· Complete specialized training and certification and register on the Oregon Health Authority Traditional Health Worker registry.

· Skills, knowledge and demonstrated abilities in areas of emergency shelter services, housing services, street outreach, client advocacy, equity and racial justice, and/or homeless services delivery.

· Strong critical thinking skills and judgment in complex scenarios.

· Good oral and written communication skills, clear, calm, trauma-informed, problem-solving skills.

· Familiarity with Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word) and abilty to do internet research.

· Ability to learn and use Homeless Management Information System (HMIS).

· Personal traits including patience, tolerance, caring, maturity, and understanding.

· Bilingual in English/Spanish a plus.

Education & Experience:

· Minimum of High School diploma or GED equivalent required.

· Experience working in homeless or social service programs, and/or lived experience navigating such programs.

Competencies:

To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following competencies:

· Internal Customer Service - Responds promptly to customer needs; Solicits feedback to improve service; Responds to requests for service and assistance; Meets commitments.

· Interpersonal Skills - Focuses on solving conflict, not blaming; Maintains confidentiality; Listens to others without interrupting; Keeps emotions under control; Remains open to others' ideas and tries new things.

· Oral Communication - Speaks clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations; listens and gets clarification; Responds well to questions; Demonstrates group presentation skills; Participates in meetings.

· Written Communication - Writes clearly and informatively; Edits work for spelling and grammar; Varies writing style to meet needs; Presents numerical data effectively; Able to read and interpret written information.

· Diversity - Shows respect and sensitivity for cultural differences; promotes a harassment-free environment.

· Ethics - Treats people with respect; Keeps commitments; inspires the trust of others; Works with integrity and ethically; Upholds organizational values.

· Organizational Support - Follows policies and procedures; Completes administrative tasks correctly and on time; supports organization's goals and values.

· Safety and Security - Observes safety and security procedures; Uses equipment and materials properly.

· Dependability - Follows instructions, responds to management direction; Takes responsibility for own actions; Keeps commitments.

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

· While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to kneel, stoop, bend, sit, use hands to finger, handle, or feel, talk and listen and must regularly stand and walk.

· The employee regularly lifts up to 25 lbs.

Work Environment:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

· The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate, similar to that of a busy office

· This position may be exposed to the outdoors for short periods of time during varying temperatures.

Application deadline: Open until filled

Starting pay: $18.00/hr

How to apply: Please send a resume and cover letter to mfernandez@mccac.com.