What are the responsibilities and job description for the Peer Advocate PT/FT position at The Night Ministry?
Job Title: Peer Advocate
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt
Department: Outreach and Health Ministry
Reports to: Lead Street Medicine Outreach Worker
Position Summary:
The Peer Advocate will assist the Outreach and Health Ministry (OHM) teams (primarily Street Medicine) in their efforts to reach unsheltered homeless individuals in the greater Chicago area. The Peer Advocate will also collaborate with staff in developing new methods for outreach.
General Purpose:
With leadership from OHM staff, the Peer Advocate will locate, engage, and build relationships with individuals who are experiencing homelessness or are precariously housed. They will assist with referrals, serving as a liaison for partnered organizations. They will connect with local organizations, community centers, community businesses, and other services relevant to people experiencing homelessness.
Role Qualifications:
- Must work collegially with staff, volunteers, interns, and community groups.
- Comfort in exploring, developing, and implementing new methods of outreach.
- Must be trauma competent, LGBTQQIA (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Questioning, Intersex, Asexual) competent, and street culture competent, and able to work with diverse populations.
- Be knowledgeable about conflict de-escalation, harm reduction, Trauma-Informed Care, and the Housing First Approach, or willing to learn.
- Previous lived experience of homelessness is preferred.
Position Responsibilities:
- Assist with planning and presenting outreach strategies and information regarding The Night Ministry's programming and resources.
- Assist with street outreach activities and education and promote services to homeless persons.
- Collaborate to create and maintain relationships with individuals experiencing and at risk of homelessness. This may include participation in van-based outreach, walking outreach in a selected area, and other methods of outreach as needed.
- Contribute to periodic community needs assessments, assess needs and skills of individuals, and distribute supplies and referrals to services as needed.
- Help maintain and nurture relationships with community organizations and social service agencies.
- Participate in training and education as required and provided by The Night Ministry.
- Assist with data tracking and entry, reporting, maintaining appropriate records and files.
- Participate in team meetings and periodic training opportunities.
- Other tasks and duties as assigned.
Essential Skills and Experience:
High School Diploma or GED; required- Physically able to be outdoors and/or mobile outdoors for as long as six consecutive hours at night in all varieties of Chicago weather.
- Excellent interpersonal skills, demonstrated "street smarts", team player
- Basic computer skills
- Valid driver's license, evidence of insurability, able and willing to drive the Outreach Van
- Flexible schedule to allow for early morning, late evening, and weekend hours.
Reporting to This Position: None.
- Hourly Salary is $17.00 Benefit eligible if Full-Time