Peer Support/Outreach Specialist (Mental Health Program)

Peer Support & Outreach Specialist

FULL Time in San Antonio, Tx

SUMMARY

This position promotes socialization, recovery, self-sufficiency, self-advocacy, development of natural supports, and maintenance of skills learned in other support services. The Peer/Outreach Specialist serves as an advocate for and on behalf of clients' rights and benefits. The Peer/Outreach Specialist will meet with veterans either by phone or in person for direct peer counseling sessions. The Peer/Outreach Specialist is a highly trained, street outreach individual who is familiar with the community and creates awareness of the program. Peer Support & Outreach Specialists (Peers) will engage Veterans at elevated risk of suicide through outreach, peer support, and community-based engagement activities. Using lived experience, they will build trust and establish relationships with participants. Specialists will support participants in navigating services, encourage utilization of resources, and play a key role in facilitating connections to VA care through coordinated referrals and follow-up. Each Peer will maintain a caseload and provide ongoing engagement and support to promote participant retention and successful linkage to services. The Peers will be trained in conducting the baseline mental health screenings, will assist participants in completing the screening tools, and will identify potential needs that may require additional assessment or referral. Any need identified by these screenings will be the foundation of the participants’ individualized service plans. They will elevate any identified risk concerns to the Clinical Program Coordinator for review, interpretation, and appropriate follow-up. The Peer/Outreach Specialist will support the VFWP by going to outreach events and promoting wellness among veterans. Our Peer Support/Outreach Specialists will provide case management services as needed, including warm hand-offs to VA clinical service providers and connecting clients to support services and benefits by working closely with our Resource Navigator. These warm handoffs may include direct transportation of the veteran to the VA hospital or other local resources. These services will be geared towards improving overall well-being, ultimately reducing the Veteran’s risk of suicide as barriers to assistance are addressed.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS (REQUIRED)

All candidates must meet the following criteria:

• Possess a Peer Support Certification or agree to obtain certification within30 daysof hire
• Demonstrate lived experience in the military, with the ability to relate to the veteran population
• Maintain a valid Texas driver’s license, reliable transportation, and current automobile liability insurance
• Hold current HIPAA and CPR certifications (or obtain within onboarding period)
• Successfully pass background check and drug screening requirements
• Be bondablein accordance withorganizational and federal grant requirements

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Preference will be given to candidates with:

• Credential as a Social Worker, Licensed Mental Health Provider (LMHP), Counselor, or related behavioral health professional
• Completion of Military Cultural Competency (MCC) training
• Experience in suicide prevention, crisis response, or behavioral health services
• Prior experience working directly with veterans, particularly those experiencing homelessness, mental health challenges, or substance use disorders
• Experience in outreach, case coordination, or service navigation

KNOWLEDGE REQUIREMENTS

Candidates must demonstrate knowledge of:

• Suicide prevention strategies, including risk factors, protective factors, and early intervention approaches
• Recovery-oriented models of care for mental health and substance use disorders
• Trauma-informed care principles
• Federal and state confidentiality standards, including HIPAA compliance
• Community-based resources and systems of care for veterans and underserved populations
• Cultural competency, including the needs of marginalized and high-risk populations

SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES

Candidates will be evaluated on their ability to:

• Effectively communicate verbally and in writing with diverse populations
• Establish trust andmaintainsupportive, peer-based relationships with veterans
• Facilitate individual and group peer support sessions
• Conduct outreach and engagement with hard-to-reach or high-risk individuals
• Coordinate services, provide referrals, and navigate complex systems of care
• Maintainaccurateandtimelydocumentation and data entry
• Manage time effectively and meet program deadlines
• Utilize standard office and data systems (e.g., Microsoft Office Suite)

CORE COMPETENCIES AND BEHAVIORAL ATTRIBUTES

The organization prioritizes candidates who demonstrate:

• A strong commitment to suicide prevention and veteran-centered care
• Integrity, ethical decision-making, and accountability
• Adaptability in high-stress or crisis situations
• A solution-oriented and proactive approach to service delivery
• Strong teamwork and collaboration skills
• Empathy, patience, and respect in working with individuals experiencing crisis or vulnerability

COMPLIANCE AND ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

Selected candidates must:

• Be willing and able to travel locallyand regionallyto conduct outreach and service delivery
• Maintain an acceptable driving record (no DWI within the past five years)
• Adhere to all confidentiality and data protection standards
• Participate in required training, supervision, and performance monitoring