Job Description

Job Summary

The Office of Homeless Services (OHS) is dedicated to improving efforts to end homelessness by harnessing local data to shape program and system design using a “systems thinking” approach. Peer support is one of the core elements of the Housing First model and is of central importance in helping individuals achieve self-sufficiency. The peer support specialist will engage and develop rapport with newly sheltered and unsheltered community members with the goal of entering peer navigation relationships that can help invite the person into services, utilizing relevant personal experience, trauma informed practices and person-centered methods. This role provides 12 hours of service per month for a stipend.

Job Responsibilities

• Makes contact and builds relationships with people living unsheltered using person-centered, trauma-informed, and culturally responsive methods.
  Conducts non-clinical assessments for intake and evaluates the need for other services to people living unsheltered based on knowledge of all community resources and social services programs.
• Use recovery-oriented tools to help their peers address challenges.
• Assist community members with short-term access to community referrals and other resources available in the moment
• Empower others by helping them identify their strengths, supports, resources, and skills.
• Assist others to build their self-directed wellness plans.
• Using the relationship-based model, engage people living unsheltered with housing programs and other services as needed.
  Provides direct client support, including spending time with people in common gathering places, and visiting campsites, and hospitals.
• Assists with providing connections to permanent housing, food and supplies, medical care for physical and behavioral health needs, therapeutic treatment and services.
• Works with clients to develop a housing plan.
• Provides information and supplies to increase safety promoting harm reduction.
• Timely data entry in HMIS tracking guest goals, outcomes, assessments, referrals, and other information as necessary
• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications

High school diploma or GED is required

Valid Driver’s license

Certified Peer Recovery Specialist (CPRS) certified

Lived experience with homelessness and/or with behavioral health (MH and/or substances) challenges, with demonstrated housing stability of at least two years or more

Previous peer mentoring experience with persons experiencing homelessness and/or behavioral health challenges preferred

Ability to exercise independent judgment in making decisions regarding client needs 

Ability to manage conflict, mitigate/respond to stressful situations and engage traumatic stories

Ability to understand and maintain professional boundaries.

Ability to listen with care, treat guests with respect and dignity, and respond to each individual’s unique needs

Additional Information

Benefits

n/a

How to Apply

Request application from Metro Office of Homeless Services. For an application, please contact Antonia Whitfield at antonia.whitfield@nashville.gov or call 615-880-2857. Applications will be accepted through March 21, 2025.

Details

• Date Posted: March 11, 2025
• Type: Part-Time
• Job Function: Other
• Service Area: Social / Human Services
• Start Date: 04/01/2025
• Salary Range: $20/hr
• Working Hours: 12 hrs/month

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