AFD REST Peer Support Specialist

Peer Support Specialists will work in tandem with the Asheville Fire Department-Resource Engagement Support Team (AFD-REST) to provide support to individuals who are unsheltered, experiencing mental, physical, or behavioral health needs, and/or affected by the Opioid Epidemic. Peer Supports will link these individuals to wrap-around community support services and assist in building a pathway to recovery and housing. Services will be delivered through a proactive, compassionate, and trauma-informed lens, founded on rapport and person-centered care.

Outreach to encampments, non-traditional settings (such as bus stops, parks, under bridges etc.), and community spaces to build relationships and provide proactive, direct support to individuals who are unsheltered.

Link to community resources, including but not limited to: referrals to Mental Health, Physical Health, and Substance Use Treatment; referrals to appropriate Health and Human Service Agencies; provide materials to meet basic needs; and assist in connecting them to shelter and housing resources. Peer Support Specialists will assist and educate individuals on navigating these systems.

Educate individuals who are unsheltered on harm reduction methods and link them to relevant harm reduction resources.

Educate community members and businesses on methods and resources used to properly support individuals who are unsheltered.

Collaborate with other community social service agencies, community members, and downtown businesses, as needed, in regard to implementing supports for unsheltered individuals.

Transport individuals when the need aligns within the scope of work.

Advocate for individuals as needed and provide culturally supportive and appropriate care.

Data Entry, Documentation, and Record Keeping. Data entry using ArcGIS Survey 123, document daily client interactions in Community Response Log, retain client information, and build case files as needed.

Crisis Prevention and De-Escalation

Ensure the individual’s confidentiality.

Additional Functions:

Performs other related duties as required.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Must have lived experience with a diagnosable mental health disorder, substance use disorder, and/or homelessness

Knowledge:

• Knowledge of Buncombe County social service resources

• Knowledge of trauma-informed, cultural, and person-centered care

• Knowledge of Motivational Interviewing Methods

• Knowledge of basic case management methods

• Knowledge of computer applications

Skills:

• Skilled at creative problem solving when working with individuals who are unsheltered and/or in crisis situations

• Skilled at decision-making and critical thinking in complex, diverse, and challenging situations

• Skilled at implementing Recovery Focused Approaches 

Ability:

• Sound ability to establish and maintain professional relationships when working with community partners, members, and businesses 

• Ability to maintain professional boundaries when working with unsheltered individuals

• Ability to be flexible to the needs of a new program

• Ability to work some weekends

Qualifications:

Minimum

• High School Diploma or Equivalent 

• Drivers License 

• Peer Support Specialist Certification 

Preferred

• Bachelor's Degree in Human Services Field

• One Year or more of work experience in the human services field after completion of Peer Support Certification

• Established in own recovery

Special Requirements:

• CPR and First Aid Certification 

• Must be available to work some weekends

The Peer Support Certification and additional applicable certifications referenced in the job posting must be obtained within six months of the hire date or within one year to maintain employment eligibility.

Physical Ability: Tasks require physical demands such as mobility for navigating different locations, including offices and fieldwork sites, requiring actions like sitting, standing, walking, and bending or some combination of climbing and balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, and crawling, and that generally involves the ability to lift and carry materials, usually around 10 - 15 pounds or more with assistance.

Sensory Requirements: Some tasks require the ability to perceive and discriminate colors or shades of colors, sounds, odor, depth, texture, and visual cues or signals. Some tasks require the ability to communicate orally.

Environmental Factors: Performance of essential functions may require exposure to adverse environmental conditions, such as dirt, dust, pollen, odors, wetness, humidity, rain, fumes, temperature and noise extremes, hazardous substances like blood or bodily fluids, toxic agents, traffic hazards, bright/dim lights, animal/wildlife attacks, animal/human bites, disease, pathogenic substances, or rude/irate customers.