Peer Support Aide

Peer Support Aide:

The Housing Opportunities Commission of Montgomery County (HOC) was established in 1974 to better respond to the County's need for affordable housing. HOC is authorized to acquire, own, lease, and operate housing; to provide for the construction or renovation of housing; obtain financial assistance from any public or private source to assist its housing activities; and arrange for social services, resident services, and daycare.

HOC's Resident Services Department strives to enhance the lives of HOC customers by coordinating and implementing a vast array of high-quality programs, services, and resources. Through collaborative partnerships with Montgomery County, the federal government, and various community-based organizations, Resident Services is able to offer comprehensive service coordination, impactful resident programs, and robust supportive housing services to individuals and families who reside in HOC owned-managed properties or receive HOC housing subsidies, as well as applicants on HOC's waitlist.

The Peer Support Aide is an individual who has experienced homelessness and is now permanently housed. The candidate should be able to engage and advocate for individuals who have been or are experiencing homelessness. The candidate uses their experience, in a trauma-informed way, to provide peer support services to people who

were homeless or who are transitioning from homelessness into housing. This position will support McKinney Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) clients throughout their recovery process by encouraging them to take empowering actions in order to regain or maintain their lives and recovery. Work requires knowledge in the principles and practices of peer support and housing programs (i.e. Housing Choice Voucher and McKinney Permanent Supportive Housing programs). Services are provided to a variety of age groups, backgrounds, disabilities, and income levels. The duties are performed under general guidance from the supervisor and daily coordination with Case Managers in the planning and selection of appropriate methods to complete the work. Work would entail handling a variety of problems (i.e., coordinating services to residents) where conventional methods may not be sufficient, requiring creative problem solving.

The work requires the individual to have a high degree of communication skills because of the need to address, organize, and persuade program participants to take the steps necessary to maintain their housing. Work is frequently performed outside of an office setting,g requiring the individual to drive to various locations at HOC and elsewhere in Montgomery County. There is some risk involved in performing the duties because of the unpredictable and possible unmannerly reactions exhibited by both the general public and residents. Work, at times, may be crisis driven.

Note: There is little to no opportunity to work from home, as most of the work is with clients in their home or a variety of community settings.

Job Duties:

• Work closely with PSH team and Case Managers to determine the support needed.
• Accompany clients to appointments, doctors, and DHHS.
• Assist clients with life skills such as housekeeping, grocery shopping, budgeting or cooking.
• Assist clients with preparing to relocate to a new unit.
• Work with clients and/or landlords to ensure all paperwork required to maintain housing is complete.
• Model positive recovery behaviors.
• Ability to lift 25 pounds.
• Ability to walk up and down multiple flights of stairs.
• Update client case notes in HMIS.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Experience:

• At least two years of experience working with the homeless population and/or behavioral health/addictions.
• Must have experienced homelessness and are now permanently housed.

Education:

• High School diploma or GED required.
• Peer Recovery Specialist Certification or Maryland Addictions Professional Certification a plus.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Must have the ability to engage program participants to form trust-based relationships, fostering hope for positive change, personal empowerment, and housing stability.
• Must travel to numerous locations throughout Montgomery County to engage program participants.
• Must have strong communication skills and positive energy.
• Must have the ability to relate well to people of diverse backgrounds and cultures.
• Must have familiarity with eligibility and procedures for federal and state entitlement programs.
• Must possess good assessment, oral, and written communication skills.
• Must have the ability to work independently, meet deadlines, and exercise good judgment.
• Knowledge of landlord-tenant laws, regulations, and HUD CoC programs is a plus.
• Must have a good driving record, and reliable transportation is required.

* Grade 11 - Min: $43,127 / Mid: $54,967 / Max: $66,808 | Salary determined by departmental budget - Offer commensurate with experience.

HOC is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, race, color, age, national origin, religion, disability, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender reassignment, citizenship, immigration status, protected veteran status, or any other basis prohibited under applicable federal, state or local law. HOC promotes a drug-free workplace.

HOC conducts criminal background checks, employment reference checks, and, where applicable, reviews driving records in determining suitability for employment. Selected applicants will be required to submit to pre-employment drug and alcohol screening. Employment is contingent upon drug and alcohol test results.