Children’s Services, incorporated
Drop-In Center Peer Specialist
Children’s Services, incorporated, Los Angeles, California, United States, 90079
Job Details
Job Location: Franklin - Los Angeles, CA 90046
Position Type: Full Time
Education Level: High School
Salary Range: $25.00 - $25.00 Hourly
Travel Percentage: None
Job Shift: Day
Job Category: Nonprofit - Social Services
Aviva Family and Children’s Services Mission Statement Aviva believes every child and every family in our Los Angeles community deserves the chance for a brighter future. We provide compassionate support, therapeutic services, and guidance to at‑risk children and families.
Job Summary Under the supervision of the Drop‑In Center Coordinator, the Peer Specialist will play a crucial role in providing support, guidance, and encouragement to individuals experiencing homelessness by drawing upon their own personal experiences to connect and empathize with our clients. They will provide peer support, mentorship, and advocacy to individuals seeking assistance at the drop‑in center. They will be responsible for completing all paperwork in accordance with County and agency regulations.
The Peer Specialist is an energetic self‑starter who is able to function comfortably in a team environment and relates well to co‑workers, volunteers, and external representatives. This position requires flexibility and the ability to manage time and multiple tasks. The individual in this position must be able to assume a wide range of responsibilities, provide timely responses to requests and deadlines and work well under pressure.
Essential Functions
Utilize your lived experience of homelessness to build rapport and trust with clients
Provide peer support, mentorship, and advocacy to individuals seeking assistance at the drop‑in center
Share strategies for overcoming challenges related to homelessness
Assist clients in accessing resources, services, and support networks within the community; facilitate support groups and workshops focused on empowerment, resilience, and self‑care
Collaborate with case managers and other staff members to develop individualized support plans for the population; take on case management duties as assigned, if applicable.
Advocate for the needs and rights of individuals experiencing homelessness in the community
Maintain confidentiality and boundaries while supporting individuals in a compassionate and non‑judgmental manner
Complete and regularly update case‑related documentation in specified time frames as required.
Responsible for intake assessments and placements of children
Interface with agency staff to complement the individual’s experience
Maintain contact with outside agencies and their representatives
Attend staff meetings, trainings, conferences and relevant informational meetings
Provide trauma‑informed care – participate in trauma‑informed training as assigned.
Sensitive and responsive to the cultural differences among the population being served
Other duties as assigned by the Drop‑In Center Coordinator or Assistant VP of Foster Adoption and Supportive Housing.
The Peer Specialist will take on special projects or additional duties as assigned by the Drop‑In Center Coordinator.
Qualifications Competency Requirements
Ability to speak, read, write and understand English
Ability to work effectively as a member of a multidisciplinary team
Ability to efficiently coordinate and complete field and office tasks
Ability to utilize supervision and consultation constructively
Knowledge of Child Abuse and Special Incident Reporting Guidelines and follow‑up actions as required by law and contract
Knowledge of positive behavioral interventions preferred
Must demonstrate sound judgment and decision‑making skills
Must demonstrate time management skills
Must have excellent oral and written communication skills
Bilingual (Spanish) preferred
Education and Experience
Lived experience of insecure housing with a deep understanding of the challenges faced by individuals in similar situations
High school diploma or equivalent (required); additional training or certification in peer support (preferred)
Strong communication and active listening skills
Ability to establish trusting relationships and maintain professional boundaries
Empathy, compassion, and a genuine desire to support and empower others
Knowledge of community resources and services available to individuals experiencing insecure housing.
Willingness to participate in ongoing training and professional development related to peer support.
Must have exited out of an Aviva or other agency services for a minimum of 2 years.
Additional Requirements
Tuberculosis clearance
Department of Justice/Fingerprint clearance
Satisfactory completion of health screening
Proof of legal eligibility to work in the United States
Satisfactory driving record
Delegates Authority To N/A
Physical Demands While performing the duties of a Peer Specialist, the employee is frequently required to sit, stand, walk and use his/her fingers to manipulate a keyboard or writing instrument. The employee is occasionally required to reach. The employee is rarely required to run, bend or lift objects weighing more than 30 pounds.
Work Environment The work environment is indoors and outdoors. The noise level varies from quiet to moderate.
This Job Description has been developed to identify some of the duties and responsibilities of this position. It is not intended to limit or encompass all duties and responsibilities of the position.
Aviva Family and Children's Services at its sole and absolute discretion, expressly reserves the right to modify, supplement, delete or augment the duties and responsibilities specified in this and all job descriptions.
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Position Type: Full Time
Education Level: High School
Salary Range: $25.00 - $25.00 Hourly
Travel Percentage: None
Job Shift: Day
Job Category: Nonprofit - Social Services
Aviva Family and Children’s Services Mission Statement Aviva believes every child and every family in our Los Angeles community deserves the chance for a brighter future. We provide compassionate support, therapeutic services, and guidance to at‑risk children and families.
Job Summary Under the supervision of the Drop‑In Center Coordinator, the Peer Specialist will play a crucial role in providing support, guidance, and encouragement to individuals experiencing homelessness by drawing upon their own personal experiences to connect and empathize with our clients. They will provide peer support, mentorship, and advocacy to individuals seeking assistance at the drop‑in center. They will be responsible for completing all paperwork in accordance with County and agency regulations.
The Peer Specialist is an energetic self‑starter who is able to function comfortably in a team environment and relates well to co‑workers, volunteers, and external representatives. This position requires flexibility and the ability to manage time and multiple tasks. The individual in this position must be able to assume a wide range of responsibilities, provide timely responses to requests and deadlines and work well under pressure.
Essential Functions
Utilize your lived experience of homelessness to build rapport and trust with clients
Provide peer support, mentorship, and advocacy to individuals seeking assistance at the drop‑in center
Share strategies for overcoming challenges related to homelessness
Assist clients in accessing resources, services, and support networks within the community; facilitate support groups and workshops focused on empowerment, resilience, and self‑care
Collaborate with case managers and other staff members to develop individualized support plans for the population; take on case management duties as assigned, if applicable.
Advocate for the needs and rights of individuals experiencing homelessness in the community
Maintain confidentiality and boundaries while supporting individuals in a compassionate and non‑judgmental manner
Complete and regularly update case‑related documentation in specified time frames as required.
Responsible for intake assessments and placements of children
Interface with agency staff to complement the individual’s experience
Maintain contact with outside agencies and their representatives
Attend staff meetings, trainings, conferences and relevant informational meetings
Provide trauma‑informed care – participate in trauma‑informed training as assigned.
Sensitive and responsive to the cultural differences among the population being served
Other duties as assigned by the Drop‑In Center Coordinator or Assistant VP of Foster Adoption and Supportive Housing.
The Peer Specialist will take on special projects or additional duties as assigned by the Drop‑In Center Coordinator.
Qualifications Competency Requirements
Ability to speak, read, write and understand English
Ability to work effectively as a member of a multidisciplinary team
Ability to efficiently coordinate and complete field and office tasks
Ability to utilize supervision and consultation constructively
Knowledge of Child Abuse and Special Incident Reporting Guidelines and follow‑up actions as required by law and contract
Knowledge of positive behavioral interventions preferred
Must demonstrate sound judgment and decision‑making skills
Must demonstrate time management skills
Must have excellent oral and written communication skills
Bilingual (Spanish) preferred
Education and Experience
Lived experience of insecure housing with a deep understanding of the challenges faced by individuals in similar situations
High school diploma or equivalent (required); additional training or certification in peer support (preferred)
Strong communication and active listening skills
Ability to establish trusting relationships and maintain professional boundaries
Empathy, compassion, and a genuine desire to support and empower others
Knowledge of community resources and services available to individuals experiencing insecure housing.
Willingness to participate in ongoing training and professional development related to peer support.
Must have exited out of an Aviva or other agency services for a minimum of 2 years.
Additional Requirements
Tuberculosis clearance
Department of Justice/Fingerprint clearance
Satisfactory completion of health screening
Proof of legal eligibility to work in the United States
Satisfactory driving record
Delegates Authority To N/A
Physical Demands While performing the duties of a Peer Specialist, the employee is frequently required to sit, stand, walk and use his/her fingers to manipulate a keyboard or writing instrument. The employee is occasionally required to reach. The employee is rarely required to run, bend or lift objects weighing more than 30 pounds.
Work Environment The work environment is indoors and outdoors. The noise level varies from quiet to moderate.
This Job Description has been developed to identify some of the duties and responsibilities of this position. It is not intended to limit or encompass all duties and responsibilities of the position.
Aviva Family and Children's Services at its sole and absolute discretion, expressly reserves the right to modify, supplement, delete or augment the duties and responsibilities specified in this and all job descriptions.
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