Peer Support Specialist (Unit 1)

JOB PURPOSE:

The Peer Support Specialist uses their lived experience with homelessness, recovery, and/or housing instability to provide guidance, hope, and encouragement to shelter residents. Working as part of the shelter team, the Peer Support Specialist helps clients navigate challenges, access services, and build the skills and confidence needed to achieve stable housing. This role emphasizes mutual respect, empowerment, and the belief that recovery and housing stability are possible for everyone.

ESSENTIAL JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Build trusting, supportive relationships with clients by sharing personal experiences of recovery, resilience, and overcoming housing barriers.
• Serve as a role model by demonstrating healthy coping strategies, self-advocacy, and stability in housing and recovery.
• Provide one-on-one and group peer support sessions focused on empowerment, goal setting, and housing readiness.
• Help clients navigate shelter life, resolve conflicts, and remain engaged with services.
• Assist clients in completing housing applications, collecting necessary documentation, and preparing for landlord meetings.
• Encourage and support clients in following through with case management and housing plans.
• Celebrate client progress and milestones toward housing and stability.
• Accompany clients to appointments, service providers, or housing viewings as needed.
• Connect clients with recovery resources, employment supports, healthcare, and community programs.
• Advocate for client needs while encouraging self-advocacy and independence.
• Work alongside case managers, shelter staff, and community partners to provide holistic support.
• Participate in case conferencing and staff meetings, offering insight from a peer perspective.
• Assist in crisis intervention and de-escalation in collaboration with staff when necessary.
• Maintain accurate peer support notes and track client participation.
• Protect client confidentiality and adhere to ethical guidelines for peer support.
• Participate in ongoing training and professional development.
• Perform other duties assigned
• Demonstrate Exceptional customer service, in Everything you do, by placing the child, family, Veteran or client firstto supportour mission to "Empower people to build better lives for themselves, their families, and their communities."

ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS:

EDUCATION: High school diploma or GED.

CERTIFICATION: Lived experience with homelessness, housing instability, recovery, or related challenges required. Certification as a Peer Support Specialist.

EXPERIENCE: 1+ years strong administrative/clerical experience; 1+ social service and/or non-profit experience preferred.

ATTENDANCE: Must maintain regular and acceptable attendance at such level as is determined in the employer's sole discretion.

LICENSES: Driver's License with clear record.

WORK LOCATION: In-Person

VEHICLE: Must have daily use of a vehicle without prior notice.

OTHER: Must not pose a direct threat or significant risk of substantial harm to the safety or health of himself/herself or others. Must be available and willing to work evenings, weekends and holidays as required to meet business needs.

Endeavors has a longstanding practice of providing a work environment that is free from all forms of employment discrimination, including harassment, because of race, color, sex, gender, age, religion, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, disability, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. We recruit, hire, employ, train, promote, and compensate individuals based on job-related qualifications and abilities.

Endeavors also provides reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities or based on a sincerely held religious belief, in accordance with applicable laws. If you need to inquire about an accommodation, or need assistance with completing the application process, please email hr@endeavors.org or speak with your recruiter.

Endeavors is dedicated to offering reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities. If you are a qualified candidate with a disability and need help submitting your application online, please reach out to us at recruiting@endeavors.org. If you are chosen for an interview, we will provide further details on how to request accommodations for the interview process.