Peer Support Specialist

Description

As part of the Los Angeles Veterans Peer Access Network (VPAN), the Veteran Peer Support Specialist will conduct outreach throughout Los Angeles County to connect with Veterans, National Guard members, Military Reservists, and their families. The goal is to provide increased access to resources and benefits.

The Peer Support Specialist will act as a liaison and advocate for Veterans in need of assistance across various aspects of life. JVS SoCal is seeking a Veteran Peer Support Specialist to offer in-person, peer-based support to military Veterans and their families. This role draws on lived experience to build trust, motivate engagement, and assist Veterans as they navigate barriers to employment, housing, VA benefits, and more.

The Veteran Peer Support Specialist serves as a bridge between Veterans, partners, and community resources, ensuring that participants remain engaged and supported and make progress toward addressing their barriers.

Requirements

• BA or BS degree in Career Counseling, Communications, or another related field preferred.
• Background or experience in Case Management, Career Counseling, or Mental Health.
• Prior Military Experience is highly desirable.
• Peer Support Certification or aligned experience.
• Requires a minimum of 2 years’ experience in Veteran Services or career counseling.
• Passion to work and connect in Veteran-related areas.
• Requires a high level of customer service and counseling expertise with the ability to multitask.
• Prior experience with Veterans, Veteran organizations, and high-risk populations is desired.
• Knowledgeable about the range of services in the community and develops and maintains relationships with partners to deliver a comprehensive array of services to clients.
• Demonstrated experience communicating effectively with stakeholders in written and oral form, including electronic media, using positive interpersonal skills.
• Skill in facilitating groups, writing case notes, and working with a diverse population.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office software and other relevant software.
• Requires travel throughout LA County.
• Reliable transportation is required to travel between work sites, attend meetings, conduct outreach, and support participants.
• Full-time (may include occasional evenings or weekends based on program needs)
• This position is 100% in person and requires regular presence at JVS SoCal offices, partner sites, and community locations

KEY RESPONCIBILITIES

Veteran Peer Support & Engagement

• Provide in-person peer support to Veteran participants using lived experience to foster trust, rapport, and motivation.
• Conduct regular in-person check-ins with Veterans to support engagement, goal progression, and retention in services.
• Support Veterans in navigating and accessing benefits and resources.
• Use an effective level of engagement to welcome clients and identify needs and expectations to create a positive client experience.
• Administers and interprets a variety of assessment tools to assess clients' needs.
• Model positive coping strategies, problem-solving skills, and career readiness behaviors.

Program Support & Coordination

• Assists Veterans in identifying goals and developing individualized service plans to assist with attaining identified goals.
• Coordinate closely with community partners and resources to ensure clients receive the necessary support to address barriers to participants' success.
• Accompany Veterans, as needed, to in-person appointments, workshops, orientations, or employer-related activities.
• Record participant interactions, progress notes, and outcomes in required data systems while complying with program and funder requirements. Assist in data collection and report preparation.
• Provide post-service outreach after closing the service request.
• Process supportive services requests to assist Veterans with temporary financial assistance.

Outreach & Community Engagement

• Support outreach efforts to engage Veterans in employment and training programs.
• Represent JVS SoCal at in-person orientations, workshops, job fairs, and Veteran-focused events.
• Promote a Veteran-centered, trauma-informed, and strengths-based approach in all interactions.
• Assists with coordinating individual or peer-led groups on various topics.
• Present workshops in the areas of general Veteran benefits, housing programs, educational programs, employment programs, and accessing VA Health Care benefits.
• Host office hours at the local Veteran Access Point, responsible for fostering partnerships at the assigned VAP and collaborating with on-site partners to host engagement events.
• Actively participate in community events hosted by the program or MVA.

Programming Compliance

• Maintains compliance with agency and funder protocols and procedures.
• Maintains confidentiality in accordance with Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) standards
• Must obtain MESA Peer Support Certification within 4 months of hire.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Ability to sit, stand, walk, and move between locations throughout the workday.
• Ability to work in various field conditions include harsh living conditions, uneven terrain, inclement weather, and encampment settings.
• Must be able to lift 15lbs with a fair amount of sitting, answering telephones, and movement within the office setting.

ABOUT JVS SOCAL

Founded in 1931, JVS-SoCal is a nonprofit, non-sectarian social service agency providing job training, education, career services, mentoring, and placement assistance to diverse and multicultural populations, transforming lives and empowering individuals to achieve sustainable employment and financial independence. JVS SoCal currently serves over 30,000 clients annually at over 20 locations throughout Southern California. As JVS SoCal continues to grow, we continue to look for qualified, dedicated staff to join us and play a role in transforming lives and bettering our communities throughout SoCal and beyond!

Salary

$24.00-$25.00 per hour

JVS SoCal will consider qualified applicants with a criminal history pursuant to the California Fair Chance Act. You do not need to disclose your criminal history or participate in a background check until a conditional job offer is made to you. After making a conditional offer and running a background check, if JVS SoCal is concerned about conviction that is directly related to the job, you will be given the chance to explain the circumstances surrounding the conviction, provide mitigating or rehabilitative evidence, or challenge the accuracy of the background check report. Find out more about the Fair Chance Act by visiting www.calcivilrights.ca.gov/fair-chance-act .