L.A. Metro Peer Counselor

POSITION TITLE: L.A. Metro Peer Counselor

The Homeless and Housing department at HYC is seeking a Metro Peer Counselor to join our team.

The Metro Peer Counselor is part of the Intensive Case Management Services (ICMS) Street Based Engagement multi-disciplinary team at HYC.

This team is responsible for providing services to people experiencing homelessness on the Metro Rail Stations and/or Bus Routes.

The Metro Peer Counselor will have the primary responsibility of using their lived experience and knowledge to provide outreach and engagement, support advocacy, and direct services to clients.

The Peer Counselor will travel with the HYC Metro team to a variety of settings including but not limited to transit stops on the bus and rail line stops/stations, homeless encampments, shelters, drop-in centers, and other areas designated by the Los Angeles Department of Health Services (DHS).

The role involves offering emotional support, sharing experiences of personal recovery, and facilitating access to community resources.

This position will be assigned to the Metro Blue Line from Slauson to Downtown Long Beach stop.

DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide peer support to people experiencing homelessness that are encountered on the Metro Blue line
• Provide outreach, counseling, and case management services to people experiencing homelessness
• Conduct intakes, assessments, enroll individuals in LA HMIS, and document according to the timeframe provided in the contract and according to HYC policies
• Meet with enrolled clients on a regular basis to review, evaluate, and support both long- and short-term goals established
• Assist clients with establishing mainstream benefits and gathering necessary vital documents such as birth certificates, IDs, or social security cards
• Work with local law enforcement officers and interim service providers to ensure a smooth transition to interim housing
• Participate in case conferencing, internal and external meetings, trainings, and other functions as directed by Program Manager and DHS
• Assist with applications for supportive and subsidized housing and build relationships with prospective landlords
• Facilitate connections with community-based organizations and agencies to provide comprehensive services to clients
• Perform follow-ups and wellness checks on existing clients assigned
• Maintain and execute confidential information in accordance with HIPAA standards 
• Other duties as assigned by the Program Manager and DHS. Not all duties and responsibilities assigned are included here and is designed to provide typical examples of work performed

REQUIREMENTS:

• Must be available to work between the hours of 6:30 am-8:00 pm, Monday through Friday. Occasional weekends as needed.
• Have reliable transportation a valid driver's license, auto insurance, and the ability to qualify for Helpline Youth Counseling’s insurance coverage 
• High School Diploma 
• One year of experience working with homeless individuals or have a minimum of two years of experience providing direct health, behavioral health, substance use counseling or ICMS SBE. Lived experience with homelessness, or mental health/substance use recovery
• Knowledge of case management techniques including trauma informed care, motivational interviewing, harm reduction, housing first model
• Ability to maintain professionalism and possess a high level of tolerance and understanding for individuals with urgent and multiple case management needs 
• HMIS experience highly desirable 
• Clear and concise oral and written communication skills 
• Strong time management skills and the ability to coordinate multiple tasks with time sensitive deadlines 

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.  Reasonable accommodations may be made, if requested, to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

HYC, INC. IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER.  EMPLOYMENT CONSIDERATION IS MADE WITHOUT REGARD TO AGE, RACE, COLOR, RELIGION, GENDER, GENDER IDENTITY, GENDER EXPRESSION, SEXUAL ORIENTATION, MARITAL STATUS, NATION ORIGIN, ANCESTRY, MILITARY OR VETERAN STATUS, INCLUDING PHYSICAL OR MENTAL DISABILITIES OR ANY OTHER LEGALLY PROTECTED STATUS.