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About Swords to Plowshares

Founded in 1974, Swords to Plowshares is a community-based not-for-profit organization that provides counseling and case management, employment and training, housing, and legal assistance to veterans in the San Francisco Bay Area. We promote and protect the rights of veterans through advocacy, public education, and partnerships with local, state, and national entities. Believing that war causes wounds and suffering that last beyond the battlefield, our mission is to support veterans as they navigate the challenges of post-military life, and to prevent and end veteran homelessness through wrap-around care and informed advocacy. To learn more about Swords to Plowshares, please visit our website at www.swords-to-plowshares.org.

Job Title: Peer Specialist - Jon W. Paulson Veterans Community (JWP)

Location: Jon W. Paulson, 1030 Girard Rd, San Francisco, CA

Schedule: 10:00 am - 6:00 pm or 9:00am - 5:00pm Tuesday through Saturday

Reporting Type: In-Person

Employment Type: Non-exempt, Full Time

Salary Range: $26.35/hour

Summary:

This position is responsible for providing supportive services to veterans in residence at the Jon W. Paulson Veterans Community located on the Presidio. The key aspects of this position include supporting the achievement of tenant goals through peer support and advocacy. The responsibilities include engaging with tenants during and after regular business hours, responding to emergencies, and completing appropriate documentation, including incident reports, being present during mealtimes, group facilitation, and working with daytime treatment staff to assist veterans with achieving their goals and maintaining housing stability.

This position is also responsible for coordinating and planning building-wide events with the onsite staff and Community Organizers. This will aid in fostering a cohesive community through engaging activities, holiday themed celebrations and other ideas from the community itself.

Responsibilities:

• Provide peer counseling, referrals, and advocacy to formerly homeless veterans
• Facilitate peer groups during and after regular program hours
• Transport and accompany veterans to and from their appointments as needed using a company-owned vehicle
• Assist with follow-up and monitoring of tenants
• Provide additional staffing and driving support for recreational activities and outings
• Monitor and engage tenants to respond to, assess, or report any identified issues requiring attention
• Provide non-clinical support around access to substance use and mental health services
• Ensure timely and accurate filing of progress notes using a web-based data system
• Communicate effectively with daytime treatment staff to ensure the well-being of tenants
• Develop and maintain an effective interface with community resources for advocacy and linkage to services assisting tenants in achieving stated goals
• Respond to emergencies, including completing incident reports and the notification of supervisory staff
• Attend community and tenant council meetings monthly
• Engage tenants in the creation of onsite groups and activities
• Work closely with the onsite staff and Community Organizer staff to ensure coordination of events within the building
• Attend required meetings and training
• Perform other related duties assigned by supervisory personnel

Desired Qualifications:

Experience:

• Certification as a Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist within six (6) months of hire (training paid for by Swords to Plowshares)
• Experience in a residential environment of people with histories of homelessness with co-occurring mental health and substance abuse disorders
• A working understanding of the readjustment problems of veterans, mental health, substance use disorders and homelessness
• Experience facilitating or participating in peer group counseling or other peer-related modalities
• Experience in crisis intervention
• Ability to engage clients while maintaining appropriate boundaries
• Current California driver's license and clean driving record
• Demonstrated ability to work as a team member
• Must be able to perform all essential job requirements and responsibilities within what would be considered reasonable accommodation
• Must have ability to walk up and down stairs
• Ability to effectively communicate in English with staff, clients, and external partners and stakeholders.
• Written and oral communication skills
• Computer literacy
• Translatable military experience and skills may be alternatively substituted
• Must be able to communicate effectively with a variety of personalities and be comfortable working with an at-risk client population

Comprehensive Benefits Package:

Employees who are regularly scheduled to work 20 hours or more per week are eligible for all benefits.

• 100% employer sponsored medical, vision, acupuncture, and dental coverage. Swords to Plowshares covers partial dependent coverage cost. (Agency paid annual medical deductible paid via Navia HRA Card)
• Employee Assistance Program: 20 mental health counseling appointments available to all employees, regardless of Full-time status,at no cost to employees.
• 403(b) retirement plan immediate enrollment
• Generous annual paid time off
• • 10 sick days
  • 13 holidays
  • 17 vacation days in the first year & progressive afterwards
• Access to third party legal benefits, employee discount program, pet insurance, and Commuter Benefit.
• 1-hour paid lunch period, professional development reimbursements, and annual education allowance available to all employees.

*Employees who work on-call, in a temporary position, or less than 20 hours per week regularly are only eligible for our Employee Assistance Program, paid lunch hour, and San Francisco sick time. Vacation and sick time are pro-rated based upon full-time equivalent percentage.

Organizational Values Statement of Intent:

Swords to Plowshares is fully committed to the ongoing work of upholding our values and fostering a supportive culture for all staff and veteran clients. For us, this is a process and not a destination. We embrace the principles of cultural humility to create spaces where all people feel welcome, heard, and valued.

We stand against injustice and discrimination of all kinds. We understand that the veteran community encompasses a multitude of identities, and we believe that our staff and board should as well. We encourage applications from all qualified individuals.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:

At Swords to Plowshares, we believe in creating an inclusive and welcoming environment for all. We are proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer and do not discriminate against any employee or applicant based on race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, or gender identity), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, or status as a protected veteran. We are committed to compliance with all state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment.

We are dedicated to affirmative action and providing equal employment opportunities for everyone. We strive to ensure that all individuals-regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or veteran status-are treated fairly and have access to the same opportunities in alignment with federal regulations (Executive Order 11246, Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Vietnam Era Veterans' Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974).

If you need assistance or accommodation due to a disability, please don't hesitate to reach out to us at employeesupport@stp-sf.org. We're here to help.