Hybrid Peer Respite Resident Support Staff at Pathways Vermont

Pathways Vermont Peer Respite Resident Support Staff - Full 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: Full time (35-40 hours per week), 8pm - 8am Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday. Position required to attend weekly team meetings, co-reflection, and supervision.

Supervised by: Peer Respite House Manager or Team 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