Peer Counselor; 4226-206-N

For over 117 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.

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.

Posted On: October 17, 2023