Ohio START Family Peer Mentor

Salary: $18.57 Hourly
Location : Mount Vernon, OH
Job Type: Full-time
Job Number: 220000174
Department: Job & Family Services
Division: Social Services
Opening Date: 03/05/2026


Objectives


An Ohio START (Sobriety, Treatment, and Reducing Trauma) Family Peer Mentor is to provide peer support to help families navigate through Children Protective Services as well as other systems while also providing hope and motivation to promote healing to keep children safe and families together. The Ohio START Family Peer Mentor serves as a member of the local START team along with the Ohio START Caseworker and Ohio START Supervisor within the Child Protection Unit.

Essential Functions

• Participating as an active member of the Ohio START team.
• Work jointly with the Ohio START case worker and behavioral health providers to ensure seamless and efficient delivery of intensive wrap-around services to the START families on his or her caseload to assist with the safety of the child(ren).
• Participate in initial meetings, weekly status meetings, and Family Team Meetings to review families' progress and child safety in their respective cases.
• Provide continual exploration of diverse family needs to empower the family to take ownership over their long-term successes and the safety of the child(ren).
• Support the parent(s) in achieving personal independence and empowerment skills through promoting self-advocacy.
• Teach families the skills to effectively navigate the child welfare system.
• Promote coordination and linkage among providers within local community.
• Coordinate or help in crisis interventions and stabilization of families.
• Identify barriers (internal and external) to full participation in community resources and developing strategies to overcome those barriers.
• Provide input for court proceedings and case plans for child safety as needed.
• Transport families and children for purposes treatment, visitation, and other miscellaneous appointments as needed.
• Attend and participate in required Ohio START trainings and functions in addition to other relevant learning opportunities.
• Build relationships and connections with a variety of community providers to provide education about the Ohio START program.
• Complete timely, accurate case documentation and entering data into various computer data systems.
• Assist with other SSW1 or lower classification duties as assigned.
• Evaluates safety and risk of all children being served in all interactions.
• Complete search & engagement activities for relative & non-relative kinship individuals.
• Completes kinship assessments.
• Engage kinship caregivers in completing PRC applications to provide financial assistance as needed.
• Completes all required forms, letters; maintains running record of contacts and case information.
• Documents casework utilizing SACWIS. Scans and documents information into EDMS/TRAVERSE.
• Attends and participates in necessary court hearings; supervision and training; family team meetings; case reviews; semi-annual reviews; individual and group supervision sessions; team and staff meetings and any other relevant training or agency meeting.
• Works closely with Agency attorney and legal assistant on case preparation, presentation, and testimony for Juvenile Court involvement.
• Operate motor vehicle when necessary.
• Attend training as required.
• Public speaking.
• Operate technology and programs. Computer, printer, Microsoft 360.
• Always maintain strict confidentiality.
• Compliance-Adhere to Federal, State, County and Agency compliance requirements.
• Adhere to Federal, State, County, and Agency Policies and Procedures.
• Required Reporter: Evaluate safety and risk of all children being served in all interactions.
• Perform any/all other duties as assigned.

Job Standards
Minimum SSW1 Qualifications 1) undergraduate major core coursework OR two years' technical training in behavioral science, social science, early childhood development technology, education or related field; OR 2) four courses in behavioral science one of which must be in child development, or two years' experience in behavioral science of which six months must be in the area of child development, one course or six months experience in business mathematics, one course or six months experience in interviewing, one course or six months experience in typing, keyboarding or word processing; OR 3) education, training and/or experience in an amount equal to the Minimum Qualifications stated above.


Must also meet - Ohio Start Lived Experience Qualifications:

Sustained Recovery: for oneself or experience with primary family member(s). Self Recovery-must be an ongoing strong foundation in long-term recovery from substance use (two years minimum; three+ years preferred).


No current or pending criminal charges / activity.


Experience with the child welfare system as a parent or child. Case must be closed for one (1) year or more. or ability to share in a meaningful way how you navigated another individual's substance use that directly impacted your children and/or family.

Candidate must have a valid driver's license and meet county insurance requirements.

Background checks will be completed in accordance with OAC 5101:2-5-09 prior to employment.

Supplemental Information
NON-ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Performs related non-essential functions as needed.

I. JOB REQUIREMENTS

Equipment: Computer, printer, copy machine, fax machine, automobile, scanner, telephone/cellular phone, and other standard business office equipment.

Critical Skills/Expertise: Ability to professionally and respectfully communicate, define problems, collect data, establish facts then analyze and draw valid conclusions based on the collected information; execute verbal instructions technical in nature; maintain confidentially, work cooperatively with other agency staff, service providers and community partners. Must have knowledge and skill in the following areas: Child Development, Family Systems Theory, Crisis Intervention, Domestic Violence Issues and Substance Abuse Issues.

The Ohio START Family Peer Mentor should have knowledge or be able to attain knowledge of:

Alcohol and drugs(pharmacology), Court processes, Ethics, Behaviors associated with addiction, Diversity, Family dynamics, Mentor, Alcohol and drugs(pharmacology), Behaviors associated with addiction, Court processes, Diversity, Ethics, Family dynamics, Family, Team Meetings, Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), Human behavior, Local resources and services, Maintain confidentiality, Medically Assisted Treatment (MAT), Pathology of addiction, Process of recovery, Ohio START Program, Self-help programs, Signs of child abuse and neglect, Trauma Informed Care, and Treatment options.


The Ohio START Family Peer Mentor should have skills in:

Communication (listening, verbal, nonverbal, written), Advocacy, Coaching, Computers, Coping, Crisis intervention, Cultural competency, De-escalation, Driving, Motivational interviewing, multi-tasking, Negotiation, Networking, Observation, Organization, Parenting, Problem solving, Professionalism, and Setting personal/professional boundaries.

II. DIFFICULTY OF WORK

Work consisting of complex, varied, standardized and non-standardized tasks requiring application of numerous laws, rules, regulations, policies, and procedures. Individual must be able to professionally address and work with potentially irate customers.

III. RESPONSIBILITY

Individual must demonstrate multi-tasking and organizational skills. Individual must adhere to departmental rules and procedures regarding confidentiality due to the nature of information that is accessed. Individual makes choices or decisions without supervisory input on most daily activities, such as establishing priorities or making referrals to other agencies. Supervisor does provide general guidance but allows the individual the ability to plan the procedures and methods to accomplish objectives. Individual must perform as a team player. Errors in work may cause inaccuracies in reports, records, or technical data resulting in inaccurate or incomplete information.
IV. PERSONAL WORK RELATIONSHIPS Contact is with co-workers, employees from public and private sector organizations and the public. The purpose of these contacts is to guide and direct, check on progress of work assigned, coordinating services, and job development/referrals, make recommendations and handle questions about department, programs and client concerns.

V. PHYSICAL EFFORT AND WORK ENVIRONMENT

Physical Requirements : Individual performs light work, which may require lifting up to fifty (50) pounds occasionally. Ability to maintain regular, punctual attendance consistent with the ADA, FMLA and other federal, state, and local standards. The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to manipulate objects; reach with hands and arms and talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to stand and walk.

The employee is occasionally required to stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to ten (10) pounds, occasionally lift and/or move up to twenty-five (25) pounds and rarely lift and/or move up to fifty (50) pounds.

Visual Activity : Individual may perform computer work for long periods of time. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.
Job Location: The minimum work conditions for the position indicate that the individual is exposed to both inside and outside. Individual is also exposed to noise.
Knox County offers a complete package to full-time employees including: health care, dental, vision, life insurance, pension, paid holidays, vacation, sick leave, and deferred compensation plans.

To learn more, visit our Benefits Page.
01


Do you have a valid driver's license and the ability to drive as needed for work?
02


I understand and accept that, depending upon the position for which I am applying, if I am employed by Knox County, my employment may be for no definite period of time and I may be terminated, with or without cause or notice at any time, at the opinion of either Knox County, or myself. I understand that no representative of Knox County, other than an Appointing Authority, has any authority to enter into any agreement or to make any agreement with me contrary to the foregoing, except that an Appointing Authority of Knox County may do so in writing under specific limited circumstances.

• Yes
• No

03


I understand and accept that, if I am selected for employment, my initial and continued employment may be conditioned upon my passing any medical examination that the employer deems necessary to determine whether I can physically perform the essential functions of the position, with reasonable accommodation when necessary. I understand and accept that this will include drug, alcohol, or substance abuse testing.

• Yes
• No

04


If employed, I understand and accept that, depending on the department in which I am applying for employment, I may be required to work evening or night shifts including weekends, be on call, and/or work mandatory overtime hours. I also understand and accept that I am required to abide by all rules and regulations of the Knox County Appointing Authority.

• Yes
• No

05


I understand and accept that if any information required in this application is found to be falsified or intentionally excluded, my application may be disqualified from further consideration. I further understand and accept that if I am employed by a Knox County Appointing Authority, I may be subject to disciplinary action, including termination, if any information required by this application has been falsified or intentionally excluded.

• Yes
• No

06


I understand and accept that the employer requires a high degree of integrity and confidentiality of its employees. I understand that the employer will use screening procedures to evaluate my qualifications and suitability for employment, including but not limited to interviews, criminal record checks, driving record checks, written testing, reference checks, background investigations, psychological evaluations, and drug testing. I also acknowledge that I may be subject to other screening procedures not specifically listed above, and that may be a prerequisite to my appointment.

• Yes
• No

07


I hereby authorize the employers, schools, and personal references named in this application to provide information regarding me to the employer. I further authorize the release of personal, academic, and other records to the employer.

• Yes
• No

08


I solemnly swear that all of the information furnished in this employment application is true, accurate, and complete to the best of my knowledge. I authorize investigation of all statements contained in this application. I understand that any misrepresentation or falsification of the information provided may lead to withdrawal of an employment offer or termination following employment. I recognize that my future employment with the employer will be jeopardized if I engage in substance abuse, illegal drug abuse, or alcohol abuse. Any background check conducted as part of the hiring process shall be in compliance with State and Federal law, including the Fair Credit Reporting Act and EEOC Enforcement guidelines and Knox County policies. Applicants are hereby advised that State and Federal law may disqualify an individual with a particular criminal history from employment in certain positions. Reference the following link to view a summary of your rights under the Fair Credit Reporting Act: Therefore, in consideration of my employment application being reviewed and considered by a Knox County, Ohio, Appointing Authority, I, being at least 18 years of age and under no legal disability on behalf of my heirs and assigns, hereby release and hold harmless Knox County, Ohio and any of its agents, employees, Appointing Authorities, related officials from any and all liability, whatever type and nature, resulting from the administration of any such screening procedures and/or release of the results there from.By typing your name - you are effectively agreeing and signing this application.
09


How did you hear about this position?

• County Website
• Social Media
• OhioMeansJobs
• Indeed
• Professional Association Website
• News Outlet
• Word of Mouth
• Other

Required Question