Youth and Young Adult Peer Support Specialist

Description

The goal of the Youth and Young Adult Peer Support program is to provide developmentally and culturally appropriate services and support to address serious mental health disorders and other areas of need among youth and young adults 12-25 years of age. (The National Institute of Mental Health defines serious mental health disorders as “a serious, mental, or emotional disorder resulting in serious functional impairment, which substantially interferes with or limits one or more major life activities”). 

Youth and Young Adult Peer Support Specialists have the unique opportunity to utilize their lived experience with mental health systems to support young adults in their mental health recovery and with achieving their goals. Youth and Young Adult Peer Support Specialists will serve as positive role models, advocates, mentors, and support for the youth and young adults they serve. Youth and Young Adult Peer Support Specialists will help young adults achieve their goals by; building hope through sharing pieces of their own lived experience when appropriate; connecting them to resources; identifying natural and community supports; helping build skills that promote personal wellness and recovery; empowering and promoting the development of self-advocacy skills; and providing youth voice and leadership opportunities in the community and at all levels of the mental health system. Youth and Young Adult Peer Support Specialists will develop relationships with community partners and may act as a liaison between youth and other professionals. Being able to work independently as well as with a team will be important.  

Benefits:

• Medical
• Dental/Vision
• 401(k)
• Paid Sick and Vacation
• 13 Paid Holidays per year
• Signing Bonus
• And More!

Reasonable Accommodations:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each job duty/responsibility satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.

Supervisory Duties and Responsibilities:

• None

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Use lived experience with mental health systems and overcoming adversity to provide young adults with non-judgmental support, empathy, and hope.
• Serve as an advocate and mentor for young adults aged 12-25 across Lane County participating in Wraparound and the Youth and Young Adult Peer Support Program at Direction Service. 
• Facilitate individual and group meetings with youth and young adults that promote sharing, learning, and growth. 
• Connect youth and young adults to services, programs, and other community supports.
• Act as a resource on services, programs, and connections throughout the community.
• Create partnerships with youth and young adults, and professionals to meet the needs of the clients.
• Implement developmentally appropriate, culturally relevant, and young adult driven services and supports. 
• Improve and promote cross-system collaboration and advocacy.
• Assist youth and young adults in developing and negotiating a variety of skills that build on their strengths.
• Serve as a role model in communication, health and wellness, and conflict resolution.
• Participate in individual and group supervision, multidisciplinary consultation meetings, team meetings, meetings that promote mental health policy change at the state and local levels, and other relevant meetings as assigned.
• Attend agency required trainings, and external trainings as applicable to position.
• Maintain a flexible work schedule and travel to meet youth and young adults in the community.
• Maintain accurate and detailed administrative records including time tracking, mileage, and other critical records as required.
• Maintain accurate records in agency Electronic Health Record within required timelines.
• Participate in fundraising, development, and outreach activities.
• Participate in agency norms and duties including maintenance and upkeep of agency spaces.
• Performs other projects/duties as assigned.

Requirements

Necessary Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Performs work accurately and thoroughly within timelines.
• Ability to use discretion and maintain confidentiality regarding sensitive client and company information.
• Ability to follow legal/ethical guidelines for the profession.
• Ability to make critical decisions while following Direction Service procedures.
• Ability to work effectively with people regardless of their age, gender, race, ethnicity, religion, or job type/status.
• Ability to problem solve and deal proactively with work-related problems.
• The ability to maintain a professional image and carry out duties in a professional manner.
• The ability to show consideration for and maintain good relations with others.
• The ability to use standard office equipment, mobile technology, computers, and computer software such as Microsoft Office Suite or similar software. Ability to learn other computer software programs as required by assigned task. 

Minimum Position Qualifications:

• A high school diploma or GED required.
• Must hold a Youth Peer Support Specialist certification, as defined in ORS 414.665, from a State approved training program, OR become certified upon hire.
• Must be at least 18 years of age and meet at least one of the following:

1. a self-identified person currently or formerly receiving mental health services; OR 
2. a self-identified individual in recovery from a substance use disorder who meets the abstinence requirements for recovering staff in substance use disorders treatment and recovery programs; OR 
3. a family member of an individual who is a current or former recipient of addictions or mental health services.

• Must be willing and have the capacity to share your recovery story in a way that engages, inspires, and validates the experiences of youth in this program.
• Must be self-motivated and able to work independently and as part of a team.
• Driving is an essential function for this position. Must have own reliable transportation for travel throughout Lane County. Must also possess a valid driver’s license and an acceptable driving record. Employee is required to maintain insurance on their vehicle in accordance with Oregon law. 
• Employment contingent on a satisfactory Criminal History Check as required by the State of Oregon (OAR 407-007-0200 to 407-007-0370) and as deemed acceptable by Direction Service.

Working Conditions / Physical Demands:

• Work will be performed in a wide range of settings. Work areas are often noisy, irregular and unpredictable and can be stressful at times. The work is primarily sedentary. Typically, the employee will sit to do the work. The employee will also be required to stand, walk, hear and/or respond to verbal/audio cues, see and/or respond to visual cues, perform repetitive motions of hands and wrists, and read a computer screen. Additional physical requirements may include reaching with hands and arms, stooping, kneeling, crouching, and climbing up stairs. Must be able to lift and/or move up to 20 pounds at times.
• Exposure to communicable diseases found in children and the public.
• Ability to cope with clients who may use challenging or offensive language with the potential for escalation to physical aggression.

Direction Service is committed to the principles of equal employment. We are committed to complying with all federal, state, and local laws providing equal employment opportunities, and all other employment laws and regulations. It is our intent to maintain a work environment that is free of harassment, discrimination, or retaliation because of race (including physical characteristics that are historically associated with race , including but not limited to natural hair, hair texture, hair type and protective hairstyle color), color religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, age, national origin, genetic information, marital status, veteran status, disability, or other characteristics protected under local, state, or federal law. Direction Service is dedicated to the fulfillment of this policy regarding all aspects of employment, including but not limited to recruiting, hiring, placement, transfer, training, promotion, rates of pay, and other compensation, termination, and all other terms, conditions, and privileges of employment.      

Salary : $18 - $19