Peer Support Specialist (Youth) – Hybrid

Join our Family Enrichment Team!

Penquis, a social services agency serving Penobscot, Piscataquis, and Knox counties for over 50 years, is currently seeking a part-time (24 hours per week; benefit eligible, with the potential to work towards full-time) Youth Peer Support Specialist (YPSS). As the Youth Peer Support Specialist, you will provide peer support services to youth and their families by utilizing your personal experiences. This position is serving families in the Penobscot and Piscataquis counties. This position is remote, with travel being necessary to meet clients and in-person meetings required in the Dover-Foxcroft and Bangor areas.

Location: Bangor, Maine

Youth Peer Support Specialist Responsibilities:

• Understand, implement and actively support the mission of the Behavioral Health Home Organization (BHHO).
• Apply the tools developed in own recovery as well as the philosophy and values, to build a connection while participating as an active member of the Behavioral Health Home Team.
• While maintaining appropriate boundaries, serve as a role model, sharing what skills, strengths, supports and resources that have been helpful in your own or family recovery/success, as well as modeling the likelihood of recovery/success to colleagues.
• Assist clients in identifying personal goals and understanding their rights and responsibilities as recipients of mental health services.
• Provide access to support tools available to peers (books, internet, social networking, pamphlets, etc.) as appropriate.

Youth Peer Support Specialist Requirements:

• Individual who is receiving or has received services and supports related to the diagnosis of a mental illness or developmental disability, and who is willing to self-identify on this basis with BHH members.
• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Per the DHHS requirement, applicants must be between the ages of 18-26 years old upon hire.
• Must have State of Maine Peer or Parent Support Specialist certification or receive provisional certification within nine months of hire date.
• Meet the annual State of Maine requirements to maintain certification.
• Available to work flexible hours to meet the needs of the client and families.
• Must have a valid State of Maine driver’s license in good standing and reliable insured transportation.
• Upon hire and periodically thereafter, must comply with Penquis background check requirements with satisfactory results as outlined in current contract provisions.

Excellent Benefits Package: (benefit eligible)

• 14 Paid Holidays (Including your Birthday!)
• Paid Time off-3 Days upon hire
• Paid training for all required certifications
• Dental/Health/Vision
• Retirement Plans
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Wellness Incentives
• Annual Employee Appreciation Day

The rate of pay for this position is $18.02 – $23.43 per hour.

Penquis offers an excellent benefits package, competitive wages, and opportunities for educational advancement, certification, and coursework. Join our team by applying on line at www.penquis.org or contact us at 973-3500 (TDD: 973:3520) or by email at employment@penquis.org to request an application and job description.

In accordance with federal regulations, Penquis does not discriminate. Reasonable accommodation will be made for otherwise qualified persons with disabilities. Penquis is a tobacco and smoke-free workplace.