Peer Support Specialist

Program: Youth Center

Department: Youth Services

Reports to: Program Manager

Compensation: $21.00-$22.43 per hour, plus $1.75 per hour Shift Differential Premium for hours worked between 6pm-6am

Schedule: Saturday to Wednesday, 8:00am-2:30pm

Status: 75%, Full-Time, Non-Exempt, Union

Probation: 90 days

Benefits: Medical, Dental, Vision; also including Life Insurance, Long-Term Disability, Employee Assistance Program, and a 403(b) Retirement Plan

Center’s Mission:

Building a world where LGBT people thrive as healthy, equal, and complete members of society.

DEPARTMENT SUMMARY:  The Youth Center serves youth up to the age of 24 who are currently at-risk of or experiencing homelessness.  The Youth Center offers services in an LGBTQ+ safe and affirming environment and serves as an entry point to assist youth making the transition from homelessness to housing.  Our services include meals, clothing, support groups, a charter high school, GED and college prep program, an employment preparation, training and placement program, case management, counseling, a crisis shelter and a transitional living program (TLP).  Our community-based programs include services for youth at-home, in school or in systems of care.

JOB SUMMARY:  Under the supervision of the Program Manager, and as an individual that has accessed services as a Transitional Age Youth, the Peer Support Specialist will conduct outreach and engagement with youth experiencing homelessness.  The Peer Support Specialist will assist youth with accessing services.  This position will also help guide administrative and programmatic teams as to how to effectively engage and serve youth.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

•    Conduct internal program visits to assist members with accessing housing, employment, education, medical, mental health, youth development and leadership programs.

•    Conduct warm handoffs for youth who do not access services at the Youth Center and link them to appropriate resources and services.

•    Facilitate weekly groups and encourage members to participate in all Youth Center activities. 

•    Support Youth Services programs with planning and implementing events, activities, and groups.

•    Assist with and support the smooth operation of the Donation Station, including restocking items in Youth Center, communicating needs with fellow staff and taking inventory. 

•    Assist with the daily functions of the Youth Center’s drop-in and residential services. 

•    Collaborate with other Los Angeles LGBT Center departments and outside agencies on youth events, resources and youth development opportunities. 

•    Accurately document services and complete data entry into the Los Angeles LGBT Center’s Youth Services database system (CiVi). 

•    Assist with the preparation of monthly reports as directed. 

•    Participate in staff meeting, planning meetings, other meetings as needed, and in-service trainings. 

•    Other duties as assigned. 

JOB QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE:

•    Previous lived experience accessing services in a homeless services agency is required. 

•    Knowledge of, experience with or comfort around the LGBTQ community and concern with issues of relevance to LGBTQ people. 

•    A passion for the Center’s work and its mission to make the world a better place for LGBTQ people. 

•    Knowledge of social service resources for youth experiencing and at-risk of homelessness. 

•    Working knowledge of Trauma-Informed Service Model, principles of harm reduction and positive youth development. 

•    Sensitive to the needs of LGBTQ youth and youth experiencing homelessness. 

•    Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including organizational, detail and interpersonal skills. 

•    Adequate computer skills and knowledge and ability to complete data entry and source reports from a database. 

•    Work a flexible schedule to be able to connect with youth when they are available, including some evenings and weekends. 

•    Bilingual skills, a plus (Chinese, Korean, Russian or Spanish proficiency preferred). 

•    Access to reliable transportation and the ability to be insured.

•    Current CA Food Handler's certificate (or ability to obtain one during probationary period). 

•    Current CPR certificate (or ability to obtain one during probationary period). 

•    Demonstrated ability to work effectively with people of diverse races, ethnicities, nationalities, sexual orientations, gender identities, gender expression, socio-economic backgrounds, religions, ages, English-speaking abilities, immigration status, and physical abilities in a multicultural environment.

The Los Angeles LGBT Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to fostering diversity within its staff. Applications are encouraged from all persons regardless of their race, color, ancestry, religious creed, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, medical/physical/mental condition, pregnancy/childbirth and related medical condition, age, marital status, or veteran status.

The Center has implemented a mandatory COVID-19 vaccination policy as a condition of employment for all employees who work on the Center’s premises, subject to applicable federal, state, and local laws. For more information, please contact jobs@lalgbtcenter.org