Project PLASE Inc
JOB ANNOUNCEMENT
JOB TITLE: Veteran Peer Advocate
LOCATION: Baltimore, Maryland 21229
Available: July 8, 2026
FLSA: Non-Exempt
DAYS WORKED: Monday - Friday
HOURS WORKED: Full-Time
SALARY: $40,000-$45,000
Project PLASE (People Lacking Ample Shelter and Employment) was founded to remedy the lack of housing and resources available to Baltimore’s homeless citizens. Our mission is to address homelessness by providing temporary and permanent housing and supportive services to homeless adults and families, particularly the most vulnerable and undeserved (i.e. people with mental illness, HIV/AIDS, addictions, ex-offenders, etc.) and by treating the whole person and empowering each individual to function at the highest possible level. We currently operate two temporary housing facilities and are in the process of converting an old elementary school in Irvington, Baltimore into 56 affordable housing units and 34 temporary housing units. We house over 1,300 persons every year.
Job Summary: Actively works with assigned case manager with Veterans and their families to provide, peer support a listening ear; accompaniment to appointments, case management assistance, counseling and support. There is a special and helpful depth and unique element added to this service by having Veteran to Veteran support.
Essential Functions: Peer support helps to overcome issues of feelings of isolation, depression or fear and empowers the Veteran and family to utilize the help available in order to move out of homelessness and accept resources;
Additionally the establishment of a Veteran Peer Advocate role helps to provide a relationship-based support. Regular meetings between MSW Case manager, the Veteran, and the Veteran Peer Advocate strengthen and broaden all of their abilities;
The Veteran Peer Advocate will (1) learn and use supportive skills (e.g., active listening, ability to recognize signs for need to refer) and (2) provide additional referral conduits to increase access to behavioral health services.
This service provider acting as peer support can serve as a liaison to Veteran medical and other resources and the military medical community.
This peer support helps to address suicide prevention through early identification of risk indicators and opening up conversation in these sensitive areas because of the Veteran Peer Advocate’s close proximity to the individual. Those with similar experiences may be better able to relate to a service member seeking help, which may compel the individual to listen and trust the Veteran Peer Advocate’s guidance at a particularly critical time.
1. Work closely with Case Manager
2. Take clients to appointments,
3. Outreach for referral to the program Assist clients and provides ongoing support and guidance;
4. Provide a helper-client relationship and support building, client engagement;
5. Assist clients to access needed resources and agencies in the community;
6. Assist clients to learn acceptable behaviors and ways of functioning appropriately through modeling, counseling and behavior modification;
7. Assist with the day-to-day; ensure appointments are kept;
8. Maintain records, as required by agency and funders;
9. Communicate with other staff about client needs or any other relevant issues;
10. Attend continuing education courses, workshops and seminars;
11. Work as collaborative part of team effort on unit;
12. Provide services and active linkages and referrals;
13. Assist with the service plan provide by case manager;
14. Provide advocacy services on behalf of client (including creating, obtaining and negotiating needed services/resources);
15. Perform other job related duties as assigned.
Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
1. Ability to gain thorough knowledge of Project PLASE’s policies and procedures, and specifically those related to the HHV/SSVF program;
2. Ability to act as a representative of Project PLASE to the public;
3. Ability to effectively communicate and empathize with individuals from diverse backgrounds especially those with special needs;
4. Ability to create and maintain trust and respect when working with clients;
5. Ability to create and maintain effective working relationships with other professionals;
6. Ability to persuade individuals and gain cooperation and acceptance of ideas;
7. Ability to negotiate and resolve conflicts;
8. Ability to maintain accurate records;
9. Ability to use sound judgment and remain calm in crisis or emergency situations;
10. Ability to work flexible shifts.
Education and Experience:
1. Preference given to a Veteran and/or person who has experienced homelessness;
2. Minimum of high school diploma, preference given to some college,
3. Two or more years related experience;
4. Or equivalent technical training, education, and/or experience;
5. Must have Maryland Driver’s License and car
Physical and Environmental Conditions:
Work requires light physical effort in the handling of light materials or boxes in non-strenuous work positions of up to 30 pounds and/or continual standing or walking 60+% of the time.
May be required to operate a motor vehicle (van) and handle laboratory equipment and specimens.
Work environment involves everyday risks or discomforts which require normal safety precautions typical of such places as offices, meeting and training rooms, residences, or vehicles, e.g. use of safe work place practices, avoidance of trips and falls, observance of fire regulations and safely operating a motor vehicle.
May be exposed to aggressive human behavior.
The above job description is not intended as, nor should it be construed as, exhaustive of all responsibilities, skills, efforts, or working conditions associated with this job.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this job.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $40,000.00 - $45,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Flexible schedule
- Flexible spending account
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Retirement plan
- Vision insurance
Experience:
- Addiction counseling: 1 year (Preferred)
Willingness to travel:
Work Location: In person
