Youth Peer

Job Description

Job Description

JOB TITLE: Youth Peer

POSITION GRADE: 73 ($17-$19 per hour, commensurate on education and experience)

DEPARTMENT/PROGRAM: Community Services

SUPERVISOR: Clinical Supervisor

FLSA- Non-Exempt

JOB SUMMARY:

Under the general direction of the Clinical Supervisor, the Youth Mentor is responsible to plan, implement, and evaluate service components for the Youth Mentor Program; support youth in the community 12-21 years of age to advocate for themselves, create personalized goals, and help them to see that their future is full of possibilities; carry out all job responsibilities with fidelity and accountability to the Agencies and Program Mission, Vision, Values, Guiding Principles, and Strategic Plan.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

•Exercises full compliance with the Agency’s Code of Conduct, all Agency policies and procedures and Federal and State laws and regulations.

•Reads and becomes familiar with program policy manual.

•Respects the boundaries of self-disclosure and youth/family confidentiality requirements.

•Participates in regular staff meetings, supervision, coaching, ongoing training and staff development provided by the Agency.

•Demonstrates, promotes and practices cultural competency toward clients and staff through respect and understanding achieved through training and Agency cultural activities.

•Recognizes and embraces the diversity of teams, supports and develops the strengths of each individual youth and family.

•Be a resource to youth on transition and how to navigate the system.

•Complete all required paperwork in a timely manner.

•Ability to independently meet commitments, recognizes, identifies and corrects errors/omissions.

•Educate and model for youth how to advocate for their needs, have a voice & choice in matters related to their lives.

•Orient youth to the Child Family Team (CFT) process.

•Assist youth in engaging in the own planning process and self-advocacy Create partnership with youth and professionals to help meet their needs.

•Act as a consultant on CFT teams.

•Meets with youth 1:1, in small groups and meetings.

•Co- facilitate skill-building groups and trainings for youth.

•Works with teams to assist youth in identifying and coordinating services, community resources and natural supports.

•Arranges own schedule to be available to clients and families in their homes/community, and residential settings, including working an evening if needed.

•Ability to build productive relationships across groups.

•Attends monthly Youth Mentor meetings with the Monroe County Office of Mental Health.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

•Be an individual 18 to 30 years old who has self-identified as a person who has first-hand experience with, emotional (mental health), behavioral challenges, and/or co-occurring disorders within the following systems, (juvenile, mental health, child welfare, and education) and must appropriately disclose regarding the experience

•High School Diploma or equivalent required

•One-year work or volunteer experience preferred

•Valid NYS Driver’s license in good standing

•Use of an automobile – will be traveling Monroe County

•Ability to work evening hours as needed

•Must be able to complete State approved training for YPAs.

•Document 600 hours of experience providing Youth Peer Support services

•Complete 20 hours of continuing education and renew their credential every 2 years

SPECIAL SKILLS:

•Flexible and adaptive to the work environment.

•Ability to engage, plan, communicate and understand youth and families.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

WORKING CONDITIONS AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS: Must be able to work evenings and weekends as needed. 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.

The following lists physical demands an employee will perform on a regular basis: standing, walking, sitting, bending, stooping, squatting, kneeling and climbing; Must be able to perform a variety of household tasks, climb stairs, Position also requires employee to transport clients utilizing an personal vehicle.

COMPETENCIES:

Leading Self

•Character and Courage (Integrity and Trust)

Leading Others

•Customer Focus

Leading the Organization

•Commitment to Diversity, Inclusion, Justice and Equit

Other:

•Strong communication and interpersonal skills.

• Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information with professionalism.

• Flexibility to work evenings, weekends, or other non-traditional hours as needed.