Peer Specialist-PT

The City of Miami Beach- Office of Housing and Community Services- Homeless Outreach Services Division is seeking to provide supportive services to some of the most vulnerable, unsheltered, chronically homeless, highly vulnerable households in Miami Beach. Homelessness is one of the most difficult hurdles a family or individual can experience; we have recognized that many unsheltered persons struggle with navigating community resources that are fundamental to them transitioning to financial stability and acquiring/maintaining housing. A part-time peer specialist worker is an integral component to the team, to provide homeless persons (project participants). 

• Work alongside Program Coordinator/Support Supervisor to identify program participants.
• Conduct weekly engagements and outreach to the City’s unsheltered homeless population.
• Connect with prospective participants and begin building rapport to assess and address needs.
• Provide individualized action plans, or a step-by-step guide to program participants to address needs such as: finding and obtaining suitable and affordable housing; mentorship; providing general life-skills training like budgeting, the purchase of basic home products to support housing stability, employment assistance; and child-care assistance for up to four (4) months.
• Accompany program participants to appointments, providing encouragement and support that only a person who has experienced homelessness themselves can offer. 
• Serve as a liaison for program participants and prospective landlords, including arranging and providing transportation to and from housing appointments. 
• Must be responsive to participant needs, requiring flexibility in availability and scheduling.
• Provides program orientation to participants regarding policy and procedure, staff roles, program structure, and referral and program services. 
• Assist the participant with mapping out locations that can address the participant’s needs near possible housing opportunities, which can include grocery stores, doctor’s offices and clinics as well as AA/NA meetings or support groups, bus stops and even family members.
• Ensures that all program-specific documentation is accurately updated/ completed in a timely manner (i.e., intake forms, care coordination plans, follow-ups, referrals, and goal status check-ins).
• Enters all relevant data into the program-specific system for all assigned cases accurately and in a timely manner according to contractual obligations.
• Keeps supervisor informed of day-to-day activities, significant events or conditions impacting client and/or staff well-being, team safety, and office operations.
• Assists with program outreach, recruitment, and enrollment via participation in community events and networking with community partners.
• Participate in supervision, case management meetings, departmental meetings, and all required training and professional development.
• Other duties as assigned.

• Bilingual, English and Spanish, with strong verbal and written communication abilities.
• Strong interpersonal skills.
• Peer Specialist certification, or possess lived experience, and ability to relate to the struggles of homelessness and substance abuse addiction.
• Must have a driver’s license.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Must have the use of sensory skills in order to effectively communicate and interact with other employees and the public through the telephone and personal contact.
• Physical capability to effectively use and operate various items of office-related equipment, such as, but not limited to, word processor, calculator, copier, and fax machine. 
• Some standing, walking, moving, climbing, carrying, bending, kneeling, crawling, reaching, handling, sitting, standing, pushing, or pulling