Veteran's Peer Support Professional in Pittsburg, Kansas at Crawford County Mental Health Center

The Veteran Peer Navigator serves as the primary point of engagement for Service Members, Veterans, and their Families (SMVF) participating in the program. Utilizing lived military experience, military cultural competency, and peer support principles, the Veteran Peer Navigator works to establish trust, reduce barriers to care, and assist veterans and their families in accessing behavioral health, substance use disorder, housing, employment, benefits, healthcare, and other community-based services.

This position provides coordination of care between SMVF clients and service providers within the organization and throughout the community. The Veteran Peer Navigator assists veterans and their families in identifying needs, navigating available resources, and connecting with appropriate internal and external providers. Referrals may occur in person, by telephone, or through telehealth platforms and may include assisting individuals with accessing and utilizing technology when needed. The Veteran Peer Navigator also assists with the collection of required grant outcome measures and program data to support accurate reporting and continuous program improvement.

Working in partnership with the program QMHP and Case Manager, the Veteran Peer Navigator conducts outreach, provides peer support, facilitates resource navigation, and serves as a bridge between veterans and the systems designed to support them. The position promotes recovery, resiliency, self-sufficiency, and community integration through mentorship, advocacy, encouragement, and ongoing engagement.

The Veteran Peer Navigator develops and maintains collaborative relationships with Veterans Affairs (VA) programs, Veterans Service Organizations (VSOs), Military Treatment Facilities (MTFs), County and State Veterans Service Representatives, community agencies, and other veteran-serving organizations to ensure veterans and their families receive timely access to high-quality, evidence-based, trauma-informed, culturally competent, and accessible services.

The Veteran Peer Navigator serves as a visible presence within the veteran community through outreach activities, veteran-focused events, support groups, and community partnerships designed to identify, engage, and support veterans who may not otherwise seek services. This position may work with individuals experiencing emotional, behavioral health, substance use, housing, employment, or reintegration challenges and assists them in overcoming barriers that interfere with successful community functioning and recovery.

The ideal candidate is personable, professional, and capable of building effective relationships with individuals from diverse backgrounds while demonstrating a commitment to serving those who have served our nation and their families.

Primary Job Duties and Responsibilities:

Veteran Outreach and Engagement

• Conduct outreach activities to identify, engage, and support Service Members, Veterans, and their Families (SMVF) who may benefit from behavioral health, substance use disorder, housing, employment, healthcare, or other supportive services.
• Establish trusting relationships with veterans and family members through the use of peer support principles, military cultural competency, and strengths-based engagement.
• Maintain a visible presence within the veteran community through participation in veteran-focused events, community activities, outreach efforts, and collaboration with veteran-serving organizations.
• Promote awareness of available services and resources while reducing barriers that may prevent veterans from seeking assistance.
• Utilize lived military experience, when appropriate, to provide encouragement, mentorship, and support.

Resource Navigation and Service Coordination

• Complete a Veteran Needs Assessment for veterans entering or seeking services through the program.
• Assist veterans and family members in identifying needs, establishing goals, and connecting with appropriate resources and services.
• Refer SMVF to Veterans Affairs (VA) programs, Veterans Health Administration (VHA) facilities and services, Military Treatment Facilities (MTFs), Veterans Service Organizations (VSOs), Department of Veterans Services (DVS), and other community resources.
• Assist veterans in navigating healthcare, benefits, housing, employment, educational, legal, transportation, and recovery support systems.
• Provide warm handoffs and coordinated referrals to internal and external providers to ensure continuity of care.
• Facilitate communication between veterans, family members, providers, support staff, and community partners to support successful outcomes.

Peer Support Services

• Provide individual peer support services designed to promote recovery, resiliency, self-sufficiency, community integration, and overall wellness.
• Assist veterans in overcoming barriers associated with behavioral health concerns, substance use disorders, trauma, housing instability, unemployment, social isolation, and reintegration challenges.
• Encourage veterans to actively participate in treatment, recovery supports, and community resources.
• Provide support and education to family members to strengthen natural support systems and improve overall functioning.
• Coordinate and co-facilitate veteran and family support groups, educational activities, and peer-driven recovery services.

Collaboration and Community Partnerships

• Develop and maintain collaborative working relationships with veteran-serving agencies, community organizations, healthcare providers, and governmental partners.
• Collaborate with Veterans Affairs programs, County and State Veteran Service Representatives, Military Treatment Facilities, and Veterans Service Organizations to support veteran access to services.
• Participate in multidisciplinary staffing and case consultation meetings as requested by the treatment team.
• Work closely with the program QMHP and Case Manager to coordinate services and ensure veterans receive timely and appropriate support.

Screening, Safety, and Crisis Support

• Complete approved veteran screening and needs assessment tools in accordance with program requirements and training.
• Assist in identifying veterans who may be experiencing elevated suicide risk, behavioral health crises, or other safety concerns and facilitate immediate connection to qualified clinical staff.
• Support veterans experiencing emotional, behavioral health, or substance use challenges through engagement, encouragement, and connection to appropriate services.
• Follow agency policies and procedures regarding crisis response, safety, mandatory reporting, and documentation.

Documentation and Data Collection

• Gather and document required grant outcome measures, satisfaction surveys, National Outcome Measures (NOMS), and other assigned program data.
• Complete required documentation in a timely, accurate, and professional manner in accordance with agency, grant, and regulatory requirements.
• Maintain confidentiality and ethical standards in accordance with agency policy, HIPAA requirements, and applicable regulations.
• Utilize agency electronic health record systems and other required technology platforms.

Professional Responsibilities

• Utilize courtesy and professionalism in all interactions with clients, families, community partners, and coworkers.
• Develop and maintain respectful, effective working relationships with fellow employees and stakeholders.
• Accept supervision, feedback, and direction to improve performance and professional development.
• Attend required meetings, trainings, and supervision sessions.
• Demonstrate a trauma-informed, recovery-oriented, and culturally responsive approach in all aspects of service delivery.
• Complete all required training and maintain competencies necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of the position.
• Perform other duties as assigned to support program operations, grant requirements, and agency strategic initiatives.

Required Skills and Abilities

• Obtain Certification for Management of Aggressive Behavior (MOAB) training. MOAB is an in-depth training program that teaches individuals how to recognize, reduce, and manage violent and aggressive behavior. Training is provided.
• Staff must complete the required Peer Support Training.
• Staff will meet competency expectations, including integration of evidence-based practices and required certifications by successfully completing the following trainings which will be conducted in all the following manners, but limited to, in-person training, online training, webinars, seminars, workshops, and self-directed training. All training, certifications, and competencies will be documented by completion of certificates when available and maintained by the Human Resources department.

CCMHC provides equal employment opportunities to all team members and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

I understand that I am an employee at-will and that neither this document nor any other document, writing, or manual creates, or is intended to create, a contract of employment between myself and Crawford County Mental Health Center. Crawford County Mental Health Center is an employment-at-will agency. This means an employee has the ability to quit employment for any or no reason, and an employer may terminate employment for no reason or for any non-discriminatory and/or non-retaliatory reason.

This position is funded through external grant funding. Employment in this role is contingent upon the availability and continuation of grant funds. While the organization intends to support the position for the duration of the grant period, continued employment is not guaranteed and may be affected by changes in funding availability, grant requirements, program needs, or organizational priorities.

• Graduation from high school or equivalent is required. An associate degree or bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in behavioral health, human services, social services, communications, or a related field is preferred. Relevant military, peer support, advocacy, outreach, or human services experience may be substituted for formal education.
• The incumbent must successfully complete agency-required training, including veteran cultural competency, , trauma-informed care, suicide prevention, and other program-specific trainings. Additional training requirements may be assigned based upon grant, agency, or program needs.
• Certified Peer Support Specialist or ability to obtain certification within agency-established timeframes.

The incumbent must:

• Be able to communicate effectively in spoken and written English.
• Demonstrate the ability to operate effectively within a wide variety of human service situations.
• Be team and agency oriented.
• Possess excellent listening and interpersonal communication skills.
• Demonstrate accountability and professionalism.
• Possess strong time management and organizational skills.
• Demonstrate proficiency in Microsoft Office 365 and the ability to learn and utilize electronic health record systems.
• Demonstrate effective problem-solving abilities.
• Be open to learning, supervision, and constructive feedback.
• Utilize a strengths-based, family-centered approach when working with individuals and families.
• Demonstrate cultural humility and respect for diverse populations.
• Be able to utilize telehealth and other technology platforms as required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Veteran of the United States Armed Forces.
• Experience navigating Veterans Affairs (VA), Veterans Health Administration (VHA), Department of Veterans Services (DVS), Military Treatment Facilities (MTFs), or other veteran support systems.
• Experience providing peer support, mentoring, advocacy, outreach, case coordination, or resource navigation services.
• Knowledge of military culture and the unique challenges faced by Service Members, Veterans, and their Families.
• Experience working with individuals affected by behavioral health conditions, substance use disorders, trauma, homelessness, justice involvement, or other barriers to community functioning.
• Existing relationships with local veteran organizations, Veterans Service Organizations (VSOs), community partners, or veteran-serving agencies preferred.
• Knowledge, experience, or cultural competencies specific to populations served within the community.

Veteran of the United States Armed Forces strongly preferred. Eligible family members of veterans with demonstrated experience supporting the veteran community may also be considered.

Preference may be given to qualified veterans and eligible family members whose experience and background demonstrate the ability to effectively engage and support Service Members, Veterans, and their Families.