Veteran Peer Support Specialist II

About Us:

VOALA

Helping Our Most Vulnerable Change Their Life Stories

Volunteers of America 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.

JOB SUMMARY AND PURPOSE

As a staff member of the treatment team, the Peer Support Specialist II/Battle Buddy is an experienced and certified advocate who performs a wide range of tasks to assist peers in regaining independence within the community and mastery over their own recovery/reintegration process.  Based on similar experiences, this position offers the Veteran empathy, support, and advice as challenges are faced along the way.  Peer Support/Battle Buddies will provide outreach, support, mentoring/coaching that empowers Veteran and Military Families (MilFam), and shall work closely with Veteran and MilFam to establish relevant resource linkages. The Battle Buddy adds experience-based competencies and real-world examples that complement the training and expertise of the clinical staff members.

DUTIES AND 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:

• Provide peer counseling 
• 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