Peer Counselor; 4226-206-N

For over 125 years, Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens has been providing quality social services to the neighborhoods of Brooklyn and Queens, and currently offers 160-plus programs and services for children, youth, adults, seniors, and those struggling with mental illness.

Housing LPS provides housing and support services to those who are seriously and persistently mentally ill such as counseling, case management, substance abuse rehabilitation, wellness, socialization, community integration and crisis management.

STATEMENT OF THE JOB:
The Peer Counselor (Peer) is part of a human service team that develops and executes housing navigation and placement services including follow-up post placement for referred clients. Together with the Case Manager, the Peer Counselor will support the client in understanding the process, navigating eligibility, preparing and completing the move, trouble-shooting incidents, and being a consistent supportive resource. The Peer Counselor coaches’ clients for housing interviews, accompanies them on housing tours, assists with completing housing paperwork.
* Provide information and resources to clients during all phases of the housing search.
* Provide guidance with the application process and assist with completing paperwork and housing applications as needed.
* Provide escort to apartment viewings as required.
* Provide accurate, complete, and timely data entry and other documentation of all interactions and assessments with clients.
* Attend staff meetings, case conferences, group supervision, and professional development activities such as in-service trainings, seminars, webinars, and conferences as needed. Work with other consortium partners as necessary.
* Support an environment that embeds diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA)
* Participate in workplace culture that inspires high-level performance, collaboration, accountability, and professional and respectful interaction.
* Employ best practices for effective feedback and communication at all levels of staff engagement.
* Participate in Quality Improvement projects and assist in the collection of data, particularly data that identifies risk such as hospitalization data
* Report any issue that may be detrimental to the reputation of the program and /or Agency to the Program Director.
* Perform all job-related tasks as required.

QUALIFICATIONS:
* High School Diploma or General Equivalency Diploma.
* Provisional New York State Peer Specialist Certification
* Current or former client of a mental health program.
* History of mental illness and at least one year of symptom remission.
* Knowledge of housing subsidies and supportive housing programs in NYC.
* Experience working with homeless individuals and people living with health and/or mental health issues and substance use a plus.
* Excellent customer-service skills.
* Must be detailed orientated and organized and demonstrate an ability to multitask and meet multiple demands and deadlines.
* Excellent public-facing customer service skills.
* Strong written and verbal communication skills.
* Action-oriented, entrepreneurial, flexible, and innovative approach to interacting with and supporting clients.
* Frequent walking, standing, & sitting.
* Should be able to operate a computer keyboard, mouse, & office equipment.
* Ability to read printed & handwritten materials.
* Ability to travel extensively in the community and use public transportation throughout the five boroughs.

BENEFITS:
* We offer competitive salary and excellent benefits including:
* Generous time off (Vacation/ Personal Days/ Sick Days/ Paid Holidays annually)
* Medical
* Dental
* Vision
* Retirement Savings with Agency Match
* Transit
* Flexible Spending Account
* Life insurance
* Public Loan Forgiveness Qualified Employer
* Training Series and other additional voluntary benefits.
For more information on our organization, please visit our website at: www.ccbq.org EOE/AA.