Peer Support Specialist

Description

Title: Peer Support Specialist

Status: Full-time, nonexempt, in-person

Pay: $23 - $26 per hour

Schedule: Sunday - Thursday, 8:00am - 4:30pm

Location(s): La Mesa, CA

Urban Street Angels, Inc. (“USA”) is a local non-profit organization founded in 2012 with a mission to end youth homelessness in the San Diego area. Currently, USA operates in three related areas. First, our supportive housing programs provide over 175 beds for transition-aged youth ("TAY" 18 – 24 years old) living on the streets in our community. Second, our rapid re-housing programs effectively bridge graduates of our programs to sustainable, long-term housing. Third, our 5-Tool Trade Academy provides access to vocational training, career pathways, and employment opportunities for TAY in our supportive housing and rapid re-housing programs.

Position Overview:  The Peer Support Specialist provides direct peer support, engagement, and guidance to Transitional Age Youth (TAY) participating in the Housing Our Youth (HOY) program. This position assists with participant engagement, resource navigation, and participant groups while using appropriate research methods to complete duties, lead group exercises, develop professional rapport with participants, and monitor participant progress throughout the program. The Peer Support Specialist works collaboratively within the multidisciplinary team to help establish and meet team goals and objectives. The role centers on relationship-building, mentoring, and supporting youth in navigating housing resources, behavioral health services, independent living skills, and other community supports that promote stability, wellness, and self-sufficiency.

Job Duties:

• Build trusting, supportive relationships with youth and young adults experiencing or at risk of homelessness
• Foster a safe, nonjudgmental environment that promotes empowerment, self-determination, and personal growth
• Utilize shared lived experience to enhance program engagement, advance interventions, and increase participant satisfaction
• Provide administrative and intervention support to program staff, including preparing agendas and activities for groups,      assisting with documentation and data collection, supporting meetings and events, facilitating groups, and leading youth activities. 
• Support the collection, organization, and analysis of program data required for reporting purposes
• Identify and connect youth to community resources such as emergency shelter, transitional housing, healthcare, education, and      employment opportunities
• Assist participants in developing individualized goals related to housing stability, life skills, education, and wellness
• Provide guidance on navigating daily living, budgeting, self-care, and healthy relationships
• Collaborate closely with case managers, housing navigators, and mental health clinicians to ensure coordinated service delivery
• Participate in case conferences, team meetings, and community collaborations to support a holistic approach to care
• Facilitate peer-led support groups and life skills workshops focused on empowerment, recovery, and resilience
• Respond to participants in crisis using trauma-informed care principles, de-escalation techniques, and mental health first aid      strategies
• Provide emotional support and connect youth to appropriate crisis or emergency services
• Demonstrate cultural humility and sensitivity to diverse backgrounds, identities, and experiences
• Apply trauma-informed principles in all interactions to promote safety, healing, and trust
• Engage in youth recruitment, outreach, and advocacy activities to increase program visibility and accessibility
• Provide aftercare, follow-up, and stabilization support services to participants as they transition into stable housing
• Maintain professional, supportive relationships with participants while upholding program boundaries and ethics
• Meet with participants regularly to assess needs, provide supportive services, and apply evidence-informed curricula as      appropriate
• Perform administrative tasks as assigned, including maintaining proper documentation, file organization, and audit readiness
• Attend all agency required meetings and trainings

Qualifications:

• High school diploma or GED equivalent required
• Lived experience or familiarity with challenges common among transition-age youth (TAY) required
• Experience supporting youth with Independent Living Skills (financial aid, college admission, GED preparation, housing, transportation, etc.)
• Knowledge of community resources, referral processes, and local support networks
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to quickly build rapport and maintain positive relationships
• Ability to serve as a positive adult role model while establishing appropriate boundaries and providing guidance in high-stress or crisis situations
• Ability to work with a diverse population, demonstrate cultural sensitivity, and maintain professional boundaries with participants.
• Completion of a Peer Support Specialist training program recognized by the State of California (or willingness to complete within 6 months of hire)
• Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation
• Basic computer literacy, including email, documentation, and case notes
• Must submit to a background check via Live Scan (with ongoing alerts) as required by program, funding, and licensing regulations.
• Must be able to comfortably perform all physical and mental aspects of the job and additional duties as assigned

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bilingual in Spanish preferred

Benefits:

Medical

Dental

Vision

Life

Ancillary offerings

401k

It is the policy of Urban Street Angels, Inc. to ensure equal employment, contractor and volunteer opportunity without discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, marital status, citizenship, national origin, genetic information, or any other characteristic.