The Pando Peer Support Specialist (PSS) will be responsible for supporting, guiding, and mentoring Pando tenants as a peer with lived experience and assisting the services team to provide an array of supportive services to enhance Pando supportive services client outcomes.  Preference for candidates with lived experience in the child welfare/foster care system.

Primary Functions:

1)    Engage in structured and documented peer mentorship relationships with Pando tenants

• Provide coaching and support to mentoring program participants
• Assist and advise Pando tenants to help them achieve their individual goals
• Serve as an advocate and supportive resource
• Employ engagement strategies to build effective relationships with tenants
• Empower and encourage Pando tenants to engage in services with community resources and professional service provider

2)   Coordinate mentoring program activities with external Volunteer Mentors under the guidance and support of the Pando Coordinator

3)   Lead the Pando Tenant Council and coordinate council meetings with tenants

4)   Assist the service team to provide supportive services to Pando tenants.

• Assist with coordinating community enrichment/social capital building activities for Pando tenants
• Assist with Pando Food Pantry operations
• Assist with the provision of basic needs/case management assistance
• Assist tenants with Activities of Daily Living in their apartment or in the community, as directed and/or requested by Pando staff

5)     Learn and implement the policies and therapeutic practices of the Pando program (e.g. housing first, harm reduction strategies, motivational interviewing, trauma-informed care, etc.)

6)      Enter client service data (touchpoints) for all services provided into the ETO database

Skills & Experience:

• Demonstrate professional demeanor, strong interpersonal skills, and the ability to communicate effectively with individuals at all levels.
• Demonstrated proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel & Outlook
• English language skills for both verbal and written communications in a business setting
• Attention to detail and accuracy when completing paperwork/reporting client service data

Qualifications:

• Must be at least 21 years of age
• HS Diploma or equivalency required
• Lived homelessness,addiction, or mental health experienced required experience required
• Documentation of eligibility to work in the United States required (I-9 form documents) required
• Preference for history of personal involvement in the child welfare/foster care system
• Preference for candidates that have completed Peer Support Specialist Training
• Preference for candidates with credential as a Certified Recovery Specialist; candidates without this credential must be actively pursing certification through a program approved by CSH
• Valid Indiana Driver’s License and clean driving record required to operate LCFS vehicles
• Must pass background check and adhere to all LCFS Employee Policies and Procedures, including requirement to maintain a drug-free workplace

Must possess the following characteristics:

• Ability to forge mutually respectful partnership with persons & families served to help clients gain skills & confidence
• Focuses on strengths of client/family
• Conviction about the capacity of persons to grow & change
• Ability to work in a team setting & independently
• Able to maintain appropriate boundaries & set limits in working with clients
• Must be able to recognize & effectively respond to cultural differences of clients
• Able to maintain confidentiality of client records

Working Environment:         

• Able to work hours needed to accomplish assigned tasks, to include evenings, weekends, & holidays
• Position requires on-site presence at the Pando facility