Recovery Support Navigator

Room to Grow (RTG) is a vibrant member-driven community comprised of adults experiencing or vulnerable to homelessness who are engaged in recovery from various substances. The Recovery Support Navigator will perform, but is not limited to, the following duties: administration of program record-keeping and documenting information in member’s record, enrollments, developing, implementing, and monitoring individualized services, and advocacy. This position requires the candidate to do community outreach; resources and make referrals; many of whom have complex needs related to homelessness, past incarceration, and mental and physical health concerns. Through individualized service planning, goal setting, and group workshops, they help members obtain the skills, support, and resources needed to help create stability.

Essential duties / responsibilities:

• Works with members to assess their practical day-to-day needs, develop goals, and identify steps to take to meet those goals.
• Assist members in completing housing and benefits applications (health insurance, Medicaid and other benefits such as SNAP, SSI/SSDI and TANF)
• Identify community-based services that provide support with basic life skills such as budgeting, paying bills, paying taxes, cooking, cleaning, hygiene, and maintaining an apartment.
• Meet one-on-one and in small groups to ensure that members have access to the resources they need to support their recovery.
• Keep records of work with members, recording individual meeting notes in a timely way, and completing incident reports or other required documents.
• Schedule workshops that provide specific information on topics that members request. Conduct workshops when possible.
• Collaborate with other RTG staff to ensure members get a range of social support, with special focus on informational support (sharing information, making referrals, teaching skills) and instrumental support (concrete assistance to help others accomplish tasks).
• Apply motivational interviewing and trauma informed approaches to engage members in identifying and working toward goals.
• Act as an ally and role model. Build trust through words and deeds by being authentic, upholding ethical practices, and maintaining solid professional boundaries.
• Actively participate in Center activities in support of individual and community recovery.
• Strong skills set in de-escalating challenging behaviors and using naloxone to respond to an overdose.
• Adhere to agency code of conduct.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Required Skills & Abilities:

• Interest in and ability to work successfully in a fast-paced community environment where people have complex needs.
• Rich knowledge of Boston-area resources available to adults experiencing homelessness, poverty, disabilities, and/or behavioral health challenges (e.g., SUD, mental health)
• Ability to think critically and creatively to connect people to the things they need and to help people overcome barriers to resources.
• Acceptance of and commitment to multiple pathways of recovery, accepting individuals’ choices of recovery practices without judgement.
• Strong organizational skills and proven ability to prioritize tasks even when there are competing demands.
• Comfort and experience with computer applications including Microsoft Office Suite, online tools, and client databases.
• Experience providing services to people across a diversity of races, ethnicities, experiences, identities, values, beliefs, and behaviors.
• Ability to successfully de-escalate behaviors and diffuse challenging situations.
• Knowledge of motivational interviewing practices.
• Knowledge of overdose prevention and response, including the use of naloxone (Narcan).
• Solid understanding of and practice while upholding professional boundaries
• Flexibility in adapting to changing and/or unpredictable circumstances, and the ability to respond professionally and responsibly in the face of challenges.
• Self-directed ability to work independently as well as to proactively seek out collaboration as part of a team.
• Consistently effective communication skills—interpersonal and written.
• Basic understanding of and commitment to taking a person-centered, recovery-oriented, and trauma-informed approach.

Education & Experiences:

• High school diploma or equivalent required. Post high school education or certification in human services related field preferred.
• Lived experience with successful substance addiction recovery. Candidate must have at least three years of active engagement in recovery practices, with the last 12 months substance free.
• Minimum one year of experience working with people in recovery from addiction or mental disorders and/or with adults experiencing homelessness.
• Knowledge of Boston-area resources and proven experience connecting people to them is required.
• Lived experience of homelessness a plus.
• Proficient in English. Bilingual English/Spanish preferred.

Physical Requirements:

• Standing and moving throughout floor and multi-level building.
• Operate a computer, phone, and other office machinery, such as a copy machine, computer printer, and projector.