Certified Peer Specialist
Home is the foundation for everything in life. Since 1971, our model has been about supporting residents in finding stability and achieving their goals. It’s why we’re more than housing—we combine quality affordable homes with our on-site Advantage Services—because we believe that with the right support and opportunities, all people can thrive. Today, over 13,000 people—families, seniors, veterans, and people with disabilities and other barriers—call a CommonBond community “home.” Our core values are Respect, Integrity, Partnership, Innovation, and Excellence. We live these values and look for people who embody them to represent our organization in the community. If this sounds like you, please consider joining our team.
CommonBond invites qualified applicants to apply for a Certified Peer Specialist position at our Upper Post Veteran Community. This property offers 58 studio, one, two, and three- bedroom units for veterans who have experienced homelessness and their families. Existing historic buildings at Fort Snelling were rehabilitated beginning in 2014 into housing following federal and state historic preservation standards.
The Certified Peer Specialist will work in independent supportive housing setting with military veterans transitioning from homelessness, providing recovery focused mentorship.
Why CommonBond Communities?
- Work-life balance
- Competitive salary
- Employee referral program
- Comprehensive benefits package
- Employee recognition and rewards program
- A respectful and growth-oriented workplace
- A chance to make a difference in the community!
- Ongoing training and professional development
Essential job functions and associated tasks
- Coordinates Supportive Housing Services
- Actively participate in team meetings, including consultation
- Promote recovery perspective as the key component to discussions with residents and team members
- Facilitate and elicit recovery skills development in mental health and chemical dependency
- Demonstrate cultural sensitivity and competency as related to the targeted clients and recovery
- Coaching, model, and provide feedback for independent living skills
- Function as the peer based bridge for transitioning into stable housing and community resources
- Provide recovery education and planning in the residential community setting to support autonomy, personal responsibility, self-control, and independence
- Provide outreach to new and existing residents within the community
- Plan, promote, and facilitate holistic, wellness focused activities/groups/ learning
- Identify barriers to recovery and involvement in community based activities
- Work collaboratively with residents to identify strength based skills, set goals, and encourage self-advocacy
Minimum Requirements
- Qualified peer support specialist with certification required (and/or preferred and required within 6 months of employment)
- Personal experience, required with mental health recovery required dual disorders/chemical dependency professional experience preferred.
- Experience and willingness to utilize evidence based practices and person centered rehabilitation approaches to assist residents with transitioning integration into the community
- Knowledge of needs and concerns for individuals with mental illness and chemical dependency
- Ability to demonstrate interpersonal communication, team work, and professionalism with residents and team members
- Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills.
- Demonstrated experience working within diverse communities, which include people of various ages, gender, sexual orientations, national origins, income levels, ability levels, religious affiliations, races, and languages.
- Experience utilizing MS Office and web based programs.
- Be Certified in CPR and First Aid or have the ability to become certified within six months of starting position.
- Be at least 21 years of age.
Preferred Requirements
- Experience and knowledge of homeless and military veteran populations
Physical Requirements
- Ability to sit for extended periods of time.
- Ability to lift, carry, push and/or pull up to 25 lbs.
- Ability to file documents.
- Ability to enter data into a computer.
- Ability to interact verbally with internal and external audiences.
Other Requirements
- Must be willing to work occasional evenings and weekends as scheduled.
- Must be willing to carry a cell phone.
- Willing to work or travel to offsite to partnerships, trainings, outreach, etc on behalf of CommonBond Communities.