Peer Respite Resident Support Staff - Part Time Night Shift

Job Description

Job Description

Pathways Vermont Peer Respite Resident Support Staff - Part Time Night Shift

The Company: Pathways Vermont is a dynamic nonprofit agency committed to permanently ending homelessness and offering innovative mental health alternatives throughout Vermont.

Pathways Vermont is committed to a diverse workplace that reflects the communities we serve and is particularly interested in receiving applications from a broad spectrum of people interested in providing supportive social services to Vermonters including people with military experience, individuals with disabilities, and people of color.

The Peer Respite House is a new project that offers guests a short-term retreat space in a home-like setting when they are experiencing mental health distress, wish to avoid hospitalization, or have a respite following a hospitalization prior to their return home. The peer-respite program is led and staffed by individuals who have experienced mental health challenges, dark periods or difficult life disruptions.

The Role: The Peer Respite Staff is a member of a support team that provides excellent, consistent, and equitable peer mental health services. This position supports house visitors through Intentional Peer Support and assists with daily house operations.

As a peer respite, we require that applicants for peer support positions identify as having personal experience with life-interrupting emotional/mental health distress and other significant life challenges, and are aware that sharing some of that experience with others is a part of their job.

Available Positions: 1

Location: In Person (Williston, VT)

Schedule: Part time (12 hours or more per week), Flexible Scheduling open to negotiation

Position required to attend weekly team meetings, co-reflection, and supervision.

Supervised by: Peer Respite House Manager or Shift Lead

Application Requirements:

A Cover Letter and Resume are required with your application.

Responsibilities:

• Be attentive and available at all times during scheduled hours

• Provide support and connection for one or two house guests.

• Engage in relationship and rapport building with guests and provide service from a “choice” perspective utilizing Intentional Peer Support, harm reduction, and strengths based approaches

• Engage in conversation and peer support related to dark periods and suicide

• Communicate to residents programmatic rules and expectations

• Maintain thorough understanding of policies and procedures, including emergency protocol

• Maintain written and computerized records and communication

• Create a welcoming and comfortable environment by preparing meals, cleaning and preparing the space for new guests

• Coordinate, facilitate and monitor referrals to community services and activities, and advocate for resident participation

• Attendance at the annual All Staff and Programmatic Retreats is an expectation of employment with Pathways Vermont, unless excused by the employee’s manager/HR. Retreats are held on workdays, during daytime working hours, and are fully paid.

• Participate in one on one supervision, team meetings, and co-reflection as assigned

• Participate in training as assigned

• Other Duties as assigned

Qualifications:

• Personal experience of mental health distress, extreme states, plans or thoughts of dying by suicide, or other experience that others may label as a mental health challenge required

• Interest in connecting with others from a peer perspective; necessary training will be provided

• Communication, writing, and computer skills

• Highschool Diploma or equivalent degree

• Ability to tolerate uncertainty

• Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to form relationships with individuals from diverse backgrounds and experiences including people who have experienced marginalization

• Sound judgment and good problem-solving skills

• Ability to structure time, develop work priorities independently, and meet program expectations with regard to documentation

• Ability to work weekends

• Valid driver’s license and ability to drive vehicle required

• Ability to work effectively as part of the team

• Ability to share one’s own personal transformative life experiences

• Risk and discomfort tolerance

Working Conditions/Physical Demands:

• Ability to ascend and descend stairs often required

• Frequent stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, pushing, pulling, standing and lifting of arms to participate in cleaning, cooking, space organization and other activities around the house

• Occasionally meeting with persons in the community and/or visiting different businesses

• Occasionally walking around the community to participate in activities with guests or accompany folks to necessary meetings

• Rarely running or moving at very swift speed to avoid emergency situation

• Regular operation of a computer and other office machinery including frequent typing

• Frequent talking and listening in participation of exchanging ideas through spoken word and occasional receipt and giving of detailed information through oral communication

• Some reading responsibilities

• Occasionally lifting and carrying up to 50 pounds (i.e. carrying groceries, moving things around the house, etc.)

• Frequent exposure to outside environmental conditions (all seasons) in accompanying guests in the community and outings

• Occasional exposure to high levels of noise

Compensation:

• $20 - $21.50 hourly

Benefits:

• Flexible Schedule

• Wellness Reimbursement Program

• Access to a wide variety of Pathways facilitated trainings including Intentional Peer Support

It is the policy of Pathways Vermont that all employees and applicants shall receive equal consideration and treatment in employment without regard to race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, veteran status, age, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identification, or disability.