Peer Support Specialist

About the Department

At The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) we are dedicated to the Colorado for All philosophy - working toward a Colorado where everyone has the opportunity to succeed. 

We support the basic human rights of our neighbors regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, religion, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, citizenship status, education level, disability, socio-economic status, or any other visible or invisible identity.  We are committed to increasing the diversity of our staff and providing culturally responsive programs and services. Therefore, we strongly encourage individuals from diverse backgrounds to apply.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION:

• TERM LIMIT: THIS POSITION IS TERM LIMITED AND FUNDING CANNOT BE GUARANTEED BEYOND 12/31/27.  THE INCUMBENT IN THIS POSITION MUST BE WILLING AND ABLE TO RESIGN ON THIS DATE OR WHEN FUNDS RUN OUT, WHICHEVER COMES FIRST. 
  
• The referral list generated by this position announcement may be used to fill multiple position vacancies and may be extended.
• This position will have hybrid workplace options available but will still be required to report to the listed address at the discretion of the supervisor and based on business needs.

Be BOLD.....Make a REAL difference . . . join us in serving our communities advancing Colorado's health and protecting the places we live, work, learn, and play, to create a healthy and sustainable Colorado where current and future generations thrive.

Mission - To advance Colorado's health and protect the places we live, work, learn, and play.

Vision -  To create a healthy and sustainable Colorado where current and future generations thrive. 
     
CDPHE offers: 

• Free parking and access to RTD bus lines.
• Flexible working arrangements
• Retirement ( PERA options), Medical and dental health plans
• Defined Benefit Plan or the PERA Defined Contribution Plan, plus optional 401K and 457 plans
• Paid life insurance
• Short- and long-term disability coverage
• 11 paid holidays per year and generous personal time off
• Tuition assistance 
• Wellness programs
• Professional development opportunities on a wide variety of subjects
• Career advancement opportunities throughout the State system

Some positions may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program. For more information, go to:  https://studentloans.gov/myDirectLoan/pslfFlow.action#!/pslf/launch

Position Duties

The Work Unit: 
The Office of STI/HIV/VH is committed to high-quality services, innovative public health practice and community partnerships. We work to ensure quality and medically accurate STI/HIV/VH related prevention, care, and treatment services for all people in Colorado. Functions include public health surveillance of STI/HIV/VH; follow-up of people newly diagnosed with a STI/HIV/VH to ensure adequate treatment and referrals to care; access to care, partners services, and treatment as appropriate; developing comprehensive prevention programs; and conducting program evaluation to enhance the use of STI/HIV/VH data to direct prevention and care activities. The Care and Services Program exists within the Office of STI/HIV/VH to provide access to health care, support for clients and linkage to care, and intensive case management among clients with needs related to HIV and STI. The Program has three units: Health Care Access, Linkage to Care, and Client Support. The Linkage to Care unit exists to prevent the spread of HIV and its complications by providing a bridge to HIV care and treatment for People Living with HIV (PLWH) not currently receiving HIV care. The Office of STI/HIV/VH is committed to disrupting inequities and operates on the belief that all people across the state should have equitable opportunities to live healthy lives. The Client Support unit exists to improve the health outcomes of PLWH as well as to prevent the spread of HIV through the provision of intensive case management and counseling. 

What You Will Do: 
The Peer Support Specialist provides coordinated, trauma informed, high quality, and coordinated, strength based, social peer services support consistent with the agency’s mission, utilizing peer support approaches and shared understanding to support client engagement and recovery. Tasks are performed under direct supervision and detailed instruction and guidance is received. This position works in collaboration with HIV Community Based Organizations in the Denver Metro area to guide and support individuals living with HIV through the continuum of HIV-related care. 

The Peer Support Specialist provides support to clients who are facing challenges such as: being newly diagnosed, being non-virally suppressed, being out of care or at risk of falling out of care, being justice-involved, experiencing language or cultural barriers, experiencing housing instability, and/or experiencing a life disruption or event that is impacting their self-regulation (e.g., mental/behavioral health, substance use or recovery, HIV related stigma, social isolation). This position also assists clients to navigate the healthcare, behavioral/mental healthcare, and substance use recovery systems. The position maintains an intentional focus on the client’s maintaining connection to healthcare and treatment, medication adherence to strive towards viral suppression and/or best health outcomes impacting their span and quality of life. Achieve viral load suppression. This position works with clients to reduce stigma and isolation, build social connections, and assist in creating referrals to psychosocial supports and other social service supports. This position is asked to mindfully use their personal lived experience to support clients facing the challenges of living with HIV. This requires maintaining an awareness of social, systemic, and cultural challenges to and developing equitable and effective relationships with a diverse client population.  

Key Responsibilities:

• Under the direction of upper-level Health Professionals, this position receives training and guidance on the appropriate navigation and support for persons living with HIV who are newly diagnosed, have lapsed in care, are medically vulnerable, or pregnant. 
• Provides peer-based support to clients by utilizing peer support approaches, including appropriate sharing of relevant experiences and shared understanding, to promote engagement in medical care and support services. 
• Learns to collaborate with Ryan White case managers in an effort to connect and support clients in navigating the Ryan White resources and services available to them. Provides peer-based support to clients by utilizing peer support approaches, including appropriate sharing of relevant experiences and shared understanding, to promote engagement in community resources and services. 
  
• Under the direction of upper-level Health Professionals, this position receives training and guidance on the conducting community engagement activities for persons living with HIV. Provides peer-based support to clients by utilizing peer support approaches, including appropriate sharing of relevant experiences and shared understanding, to enhance and coordinate activities that resonate with persons living with HIV.
• Under the direction of upper-level Health Professionals attends meetings, serves on task forces or teams, completes projects, and performs other duties as assigned by the supervisor.

Minimum Qualifications

Residency Requirement: 

This posting is only open to residents of the State of Colorado at the time of submitting your application. 

Class Code & Classification Description: 

C7D3IX

HEALTH CARE SERVICES TRAINEE III

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Experience:

None

OR

Education and Experience:

None

An applicant may meet the minimum qualifications for this job in one of two ways: They may qualify through their work experience alone or through a combination of education and work experience.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
In addition to the minimum requirements, the successful candidate in this position will have the following highly desirable experience and competencies:

• Relevant experience with the State of Colorado.
• Experience with assisting clients, scheduling healthcare or other social support appointments. 
• Experience working with communities impacted by STI/HIV/VH.
• Ability to prioritize work, including planning and organizing work assignments effectively.
• Have lived experience and the ability to engage and build trust with clients navigating Ryan White Services and resources available to them.
• Experience conducting educational and outreach activities to help reduce common stigmas and foster program participation. 
• Experience working with diverse populations.
• Excellent communication skills in building trust and rapport, motivating, and problem-solving.
• 
  

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT: 

• A pre-employment background check will be conducted as part of the selection process.

• Critical Status: Must be available in the event of an emergency, (e.g., bio-terrorist attack, chemical attack, disease outbreak or all hazards) and be required to report to work immediately at the regular or alternate location. During this time, travel restrictions may be in place. 

• Critical Status:  Must be available in the event of the activation of the Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP) and be required to report to work immediately at the regular or alternate location. During this time, travel restrictions may be in place. 

• TRAVEL: Yes, field visits to meet with clients and accompany them to appointments. 

Appeal Rights: 

An applicant who has been removed from an employment list or removed from consideration during the selection process may request a review by the State Personnel Director.

As an applicant directly affected by the results of the selection or comparative analysis process, you may file a written appeal with the State Personnel Director.

Review of the completed, signed and submitted appeal will be timely on the basis of written material submitted by you, using the official appeal form signed by you or your representative. This form must be completed and delivered to the State Personnel Board by email at [email protected] within ten (10) calendar days from your receipt of notice or acknowledgement of the Department’s action.

For further information on the Board Rules, you can refer to 4 Colorado Code of Regulations (CCR) 801-1, State Personnel Board Rules and Personnel Director's Administrative Procedures, Chapter 8, Resolution of Appeals and Disputes, at spb.colorado.gov/board-rules.

Other Qualifications

A complete application packet must include:

• Completed State of Colorado application.
• If using education to qualify for this position a copy of your transcripts (unofficial acceptable) or diploma must be provided with application. Transcripts must be attached to your colorado.gov/jobs application.

If you are a veteran, a copy of your DD214 must be attached to your colorado.gov/jobs application.

The Selection Process:
All applications that are received by the closing of this announcement will be reviewed against the Minimum Qualifications in this announcement. Candidates who meet the minimum qualifications proceed to the next step.
Colorado Revised Statutes require that state employees are hired and promoted based on merit and fitness through a comparative analysis process.
Part of, or all of, the comparative analysis for this position may be a structured application review, which involves a review of the information you submit in your application materials by Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) against the preferred qualifications.
A top group, up to six candidates, will be invited to schedule an interview with the hiring manager.

E-Verify:  
CDPHE uses e-Verify, an Internet-based system, to confirm the eligibility of all newly hired employees to work in the United States. Learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities.
 
ADAAA Accommodations:
The State of Colorado believes that equity, diversity, and inclusion drive our success, and we encourage candidates from all identities, backgrounds, and abilities to apply. The State of Colorado is an equal opportunity employer committed to building inclusive, innovative work environments with employees who reflect our communities and enthusiastically serve them. Therefore, in all aspects of the employment process, we provide employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, medical condition related to pregnancy, creed, ancestry, national origin, marital status, genetic information, or military status (with preference given to military veterans), or any other protected status in accordance with applicable law. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, our agency will assist individuals who have a disability with any reasonable accommodation requests related to employment, including completing the application process, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, participating in the employee selection process, and/or to perform essential job functions where the requested accommodation does not impose an undue hardship. If you have a disability and require reasonable accommodation to ensure you have a positive experience applying or interviewing for this position, please direct your inquiries to our ADAAA Coordinator at [email protected] or call 303-692-2060, option 5.

Benefits

The State of Colorado offers permanent employees a variety of benefits including medical, dental, life and disability insurance, as well as a comprehensive leave program.  Please click the following link for detailed information:  www.colorado.gov/pacific/dhr/benefits 

Please note that each agency's contact information is different; therefore, we encourage all applicants to view the full, official job announcement which includes contact information and class title. Select the job you wish to view, then click on the "Print" icon.
 

Supplemental Questions

Required Question

Agency Information

EmployerState of ColoradoAddress See the full announcement by clicking
the "Printer" icon located above the job title
Location varies by announcement, Colorado, -- Website https://careers.colorado.gov/