What are the responsibilities and job description for the Certified Youth Peer Support Specialist position at ClearPath Wellness Initiative?
Company Description ClearPath Wellness Initiative is a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping youth, adults, and families find a clear path to healing, stability, and hope through compassionate, trauma-informed peer support. Team members use their lived experience to walk alongside individuals as they identify goals, overcome barriers, and connect with treatment, recovery services, and community resources. ClearPath offers mental health education and recovery-focused programs, including Youth and Teen Mental Health First Aid, SMART Recovery, Seeking Safety, climate-anxiety education, mindfulness, meditation, and holistic wellness activities. Youth programs focus on early recognition of mental health and substance-use challenges, healthy coping skills, and consistent support at school and in the community, while adult services emphasize recovery, self-sufficiency, and barrier reduction. The organization is building peer-support fellowship pathways that provide training, practical experience, and employment connections for individuals who want to use their lived experience to help others.
Role Description The Certified Youth Peer Support Specialist is a part-time, on-site role based in Westerville, OH. This role provides trauma-informed, strengths-based peer support to youth, drawing on personal lived experience with mental health or substance-use challenges and recovery. Day-to-day responsibilities include meeting with youth individually and in groups, supporting them in setting and working toward personal goals, and helping them build coping skills and self-advocacy. The specialist will assist youth in navigating school and community resources, connecting with trusted adults and services, and addressing practical barriers such as transportation or access to programs. Additional tasks include documenting services, collaborating with staff and community partners, participating in training and supervision, and contributing to outreach and educational activities that promote mental health awareness and wellness.
Qualifications
- Demonstrated lived experience with youth mental health or substance-use challenges and recovery, with readiness to share that experience appropriately in a supportive, professional manner.
- Experience providing direct peer support or mentoring to youth in school, community, or program settings, using trauma-informed, strengths-based approaches.
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills, including active listening, empathy, and the ability to build trust with diverse youth and families.
- Ability to navigate and explain community resources, school supports, and recovery-oriented services, and to assist youth in accessing these supports.
- Basic skills in documentation, time management, and maintaining boundaries and confidentiality in line with ethical and legal standards.
- Willingness to complete and maintain relevant certifications (e.g., Certified Youth Peer Support Specialist, Youth/Teen Mental Health First Aid) and participate in ongoing training and supervision.
- Commitment to equity, inclusion, and non-discriminatory practice, and comfort working with individuals from diverse backgrounds and identities.
- High school diploma or equivalent required; additional education or training in peer support, social services