Clear Path for Veterans: NYS Director of Peer Services

Job Title: NYS Director of Peer Services

FLSA Status: Salary Exempt

Work Schedule: Mon-Fri hours 9:00 AM-5:00 PM; hours may vary occasionally

Reports To: Executive Director New York

Job Summary

Clear Path for Veterans, Inc. (CPV or Clear Path), is Upstate New York’s Veteran Resource Center serving as a hub of information, programs and services for Veterans and their families. The New York State Director of Peer Services develops, sets and leads the program’s vision, mission, goals, objectives and budget for the Peer Services Department. The primary focus of this position is to ensure that all peer support programs are aligned with the overall Clear Path for Veterans mission and strategic goals through the provision of continuous training and services to Veterans in need within New York State. This position oversees overall support of the peer support team by ensuring Veterans receive assistance navigating to the appropriate resource. The New York State Director of Peer Services reports to the Executive Director.

Primary Functions

Management of Program Components

1. Oversees Clear Path’s Peer Mentor program to ensure optimal service to our Veterans.
   1. Coordinates the outreach strategy to Veterans, military members, the community, and families.
2. Supervises the work of all peer and family support staff throughout New York State, including locations in the North Country, Hudson Valley, Southern Tier, Western New York, and Central New York.
3. Manages peer and family support program’s planning and assessment consistent with the organization’s goals and objectives and executive management’s directives.
4. Develops program procedures for compliance with grant and foundational requirements.
5. Oversight of Peer Support program requirement compliance.
6. Soldier On
   1. Ensures proper allocation of employee work hours for the Soldier On grant.
   2. Liaisons with Soldier On for all program components.
   3. Works with the Executive Director to review and approve appropriate Soldier On contracts.
   4. Manages the Peer Support Program to ensure compliance with contract requirements.
7. Joseph Dwyer
   1. Ensures proper allocation of employee work hours for the Joseph Dwyer grant.
   2. Maintains a positive working relationship reporting on requested peer program related information to the University of Albany and local counties.
   3. Provides support to other communities interested in starting a Dwyer grant, as well as collaborating with the counties that already have the grant.

Management, Team Building, Leadership, and Relationships

1. Responsible for ensuring effective and timely recruiting, interviewing and assessment of Clear Path for Veterans Peer Support Manager job candidates, including collaborating with HR to make the best hiring decisions.
   1. Ensure continuous recruitment of Peer Support Managers to maintain a viable applicant pool for this position.
2. Oversees departmental new Peer Support Manager orientation and continued training of Clear Path Peer Support Managers.
3. Fosters a cooperative and productive work environment that advances program operations and initiatives through staff motivation, encouragement, and professional development.
   1. Directs, evaluates, and reviews the job performance of staff utilizing a regular schedule of formal performance evaluations. and oversees their professional development and training.
4. Oversees management of departmental schedules to ensure organizational needs are met, including having sufficient coverage in peer office.
5. Participates as needed with the Clear Path for Veterans team in fund raising and other events on and off site, including public speaking.

Administrative and Miscellaneous

1. Develops and oversees the administration of program budgets to ensure effective utilization of financial resources and appropriate disbursement of funds.
2. Presents proposed Peer Support Program budget to Executive Leadership team for review.
3. Directly measures the efficiency of the department through assessment planning and coordination
4. Leads local and state government advocacy efforts to raise awareness and understanding of the unique needs of Veterans, active military members, and their families.
   1. Serves as a liaison and representative of the organization at state and regional organizations, boards, councils, and committees.
   2. Develops contacts with Veteran Service Organizations, community agencies, medical and mental health agencies, Veterans Affairs; and local, state, and federal agencies that serve Veterans.
   3. Remains knowledgeable about proposed and enacted state and federal legislation that affects Veterans, military members, and their families.
5. Produces reports as needed:
   1. Develops and pursues short and long-term departmental goals that align with the Clear Path for Veterans mission; create viable strategies to obtain departmental goals.
   2. Collects data and information regarding number of Veterans served per month in report form utilizing Sales Force and Soldier On’s Electronic Case Management (ECM) database.
   3. Other reports as requested by the Executive Leadership team.
6. Completes other related duties as assigned.

Education and Experience Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field (a Master’s degree is preferred) and eight (8) years of relevant experience working with veterans, the U.S. Military, or military assistance programs.

• Minimum of five (5) years work experience in the supervision of others.

• Preference will be given to veterans or applicants with experience working in a military environment and familiarity with veteran, military, and family services.

Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities Needed to Perform Effectively in the Position

• Strong leadership skills; ability to motivate others.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Strong organizational and prioritization skills; attention to detail.
• Writing skills sufficient to draft letters, memos and other professional correspondence.
• Computer literate with good MS skills to include Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
• Knowledge of the Central New York Community and the surrounding counties.
• Ability to speak knowledgeably and comfortably before groups and the media.
• Ability to network, form and maintain positive relationships.
• Ability to evaluate issues and suggest appropriate solutions.
• Ability to supervise in a manner conducive to full performance and high morale.
• Ability to work with a diverse group of people.
• Ability to develop training program syllabus.

Additional Requirements

• Valid New York State driver’s license and must have use of a reliable vehicle.
• Required to travel daily as needed within New York State in varying weather conditions; may have occasional national travel.
• Work evenings and weekends as needed.
• Must be comfortable with dogs in the workplace.

Job-related Physical Abilities needed in order to perform the job in a satisfactory manner

Must possess speech and hearing enough for telephone and in-person communication. Manual dexterity enough for regular use of computer keyboard and other office equipment. Vision sufficient enough for frequent use of a computer monitor to write and read documents. May sit or stand for long periods of time. Ability to lift up to 35 lbs.

• All requirements are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities.

Expectations

• All Clear Path for Veterans employees are required to conduct themselves in a professional manner towards others to include but not limited to; Veterans, volunteers, visitors and other Clear Path employees.
• Ensure that Veterans, volunteers, employees, donors and visitors have a positive experience with Clear Path.
• Supports and promotes the Clear Path mission.
• Adheres to Clear Path for Veterans policies and procedures.
• Promotes teamwork amongst coworkers.
• Meets or exceeds expected performance standards, including consistently reporting to work on time prepared to perform the duties of the position.