Peer Services Advocate, Part-Time (Bilingual) in San Francisco, California at Mission Neighborhood Health Center

The Mission Neighborhood Health Center (MNHC) is a non-profit, multi-site community health organization offering comprehensive health services in the Mission and Excelsior Districts of San Francisco. The center offers primary health care services, adult medicine, pediatrics, family planning, OB/GYN, HIV and homeless services. We advocate for health equity and deliver innovative, high-quality services responsive to the neighborhoods and diverse communities we serve.

We are currently looking for qualified candidates for our Peer Services Advocate, Safety & Security Monitor role. Please note: This role requires applicants to be bilingual in English and Spanish. This position reports to the Program manager, integrated services and is a Part-Time, Non-Exempt role with a hourly range of $22.83 to $24.53

PRIMARY OBJECTIVE

The Peer Services Advocate focuses on safety operations, client screening, de-escalation, and staff training and readiness. This role maintains a safe and trauma-informed environment through proactive safety screening, real-time de-escalation support, and consistent application of harm-reduction approaches. In addition, this coordinator leads and supports safety and de-escalation training for staff, reinforcing protocols, modeling best practices, and supporting team capacity to respond effectively to challenging or unpredictable situations.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS & RESPONSIBILITIES

Operational Support & Center Coverage

• Assist with oversight of day-to-day operations of the Resource Center's drop-in services across assigned shifts (Monday–Friday 6 AM–7 PM; Saturday 6 AM–2 PM).
• Provide on-the-ground coverage when the Program Manager is unavailable, ensuring consistent staff support and maintaining a welcoming, client-centered environment.
• Promote a culture of transparency, respect, and harm reduction in all interactions with community members.

• Conduct outreach in the surrounding community, including street outreach and SRO engagement, to connect individuals experiencing homelessness with available drop-in services, case management support, and onsite medical and behavioral health care.
• Partner with care management and outreach teams to ensure timely communication, coordinated service delivery, and follow-up with individuals who are out-of-care.

• Utilize Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, and other agency systems to complete daily incident reports, communicate service needs, and maintain accurate and timely documentation.
• Ensure that all incidents, observations, safety concerns, and protocol-related actions are properly documented and communicated using approved reporting channels.
• Uphold re-entry protocols by coordinating discussions with clinical teams and ensuring follow-through on re-entry plans.

• Support the safety and well-being of staff, community members, and neighbors by educating clients on Community Expectations and reinforcing those expectations through a consistent, trauma-informed, and harm-reduction lens.
• Enter safety interventions, behavior plans, and suspensions into the appropriate tracking system and ensure documentation is clear, timely, and aligned with policy.
• Foster a respectful environment where expectations are communicated openly and consistently.
• Assess client safety processes and screening, conduct de-escalation training for staff, clients, volunteers, and other groups, and teach and implement trauma-informed and service recovery practices and approaches.

• Coordinate deliveries, donations, and supply distribution to ensure staff and community members have what they need to feel supported.

• Attend required meetings, trainings, and team huddles to stay aligned with program updates and emerging needs.
• Represent the Resource Center professionally at community meetings, events, and partner engagements.

• Perform additional tasks as assigned to support the mission, operations, and service environment of the Resource Center.

• Communicate with clarity, professionalism, and empathy in a fast-paced environment.
• Convey information transparently and respectfully to clients and staff.
• Use active listening to understand client needs, safety concerns, or escalating situations.
• Provide clear written communication using proper grammar, organization, and tone.
• Adapt communication style when engaging individuals in crisis or experiencing behavioral health symptoms.

• Communicate expectations, boundaries, and safety rules in ways that are firm, trauma-informed, and culturally responsive.
• Address conflict using prevention, de-escalation, and restorative communication strategies.

• Work professionally and ethically within a multicultural, multidisciplinary team.
• Maintain a high degree of confidentiality.

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Bilingual in English and Spanish (reading, writing, and speaking).
• Two years of experience supporting teams or three years of experience leading teams.

• Bachelor's degree.
• One year of experience in social services working with diverse communities, including communities of color, immigrant communities, individuals experiencing homelessness, people actively using substances, and individuals with significant mental or physical health needs.
• Knowledge of harm reduction principles and a willingness to practice them consistently.
• Flexible availability, including evenings and Saturdays.
• Strong proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Word, Excel) and the ability to navigate web-based platforms and electronic documentation systems.

To learn more about our organization, please visit our website at www.mnhc.org. We offer a full range of benefits which includes the following:

• Annual 4% COLA increase
• 401(k) retirement savings plan includes a company contribution
• Vacation: 2 weeks annually
• Paid educational leave: 40 hours annually
• Medical insurance: zero out-of-pocket expense under the base plan
• Dental and vision insurance provided at no cost to the employee
• Life insurance includes a free basic policy with an optional voluntary plan
• Paid time off includes 12 paid holidays, a birthday holiday, two floating holidays and 12 sick days per year
• Flexible spending accounts for health and dependent care expenses
• Commuter benefits

As a condition of employment, all candidates are required to provide documentation of current immunizations, including COVID-19 and TB test results valid within the last two (2) years must be submitted before the start date, as well as MMR immunization. Failure to provide this documentation may result in a delayed start or withdrawal of the job offer.

Mission Neighborhood Health Center is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer committed to fostering an inclusive environment for our diverse workforce. We do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, reproductive health decisions, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, genetic information, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider employment for qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.