Youth Peer Advocate

We are seeking a Youth Peer Advocate (YPA) who brings lived experience with mental health challenges to support, empower, and guide youth (ages 12–21) through their own wellness journeys. The YPA will work collaboratively with clinical teams to provide peer support and advocacy, helping youth build self-advocacy skills, access resources, and navigate behavioral health systems.

Work schedule will be a 40-hour per week schedule within our operating hours Mon-Thurs 8am-7pm, Fri 8am-5pm, Sat 9a-1pm

Responsibilities:

• Provide structured peer support and mentoring to youth receiving services
• Share personal lived experience to promote hope, self-determination, and recovery
• Assist youth in setting and achieving personal goals, including wellness, education, and employment
• Advocate with and for youth to ensure their voices are heard in treatment planning and service delivery
• Support youth in navigating service systems (mental health, education, child welfare, juvenile justice, etc.)
• Collaborate with families, clinicians, case managers, and other community providers
• Participate in team meetings and contribute to individual service plans
• Maintain documentation and adhere to all confidentiality and HIPAA requirements

Qualifications:

• Must be between ages 18–30
• Lived experience as a youth who has received mental health or related services
• Must have or be eligible for New York State Youth Peer Advocate Credential (YPA-P or YPA-C) Training and credentialing support may be provided
• High school diploma or equivalent (some college preferred)
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and organizational skills
• Commitment to youth empowerment and recovery principles
• Familiarity with behavioral health systems and community resources

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience working or volunteering in youth-serving programs
• Bilingual (Spanish/English or other languages) a plus
• Valid NYS driver’s license required

Skills and Abilities

• Documentation skills, time management, organizational skills, independent decision making, listening, verbal communication, building relationships, discretion

Why Join Us?

At The Family Counseling Center, we don’t just care for our clients — we care for our team. We believe that supporting our staff is essential to providing exceptional care, which is why we foster a culture rooted in compassion, collaboration, and continued growth.

As a trusted nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization, we are proud to offer a wide spectrum of high-quality mental health and social services, with a strong emphasis on meeting the unique needs of children, families, and individuals across our community. Since our founding in response to the growing need for counseling in Fulton County, we have remained committed to creating a safe, supportive, and inclusive environment where both clients and staff can thrive.

Our team is made up of dedicated professionals driven by a shared mission, to empower people on their path toward emotional well-being and a brighter future. We support this mission with competitive compensation, generous benefits, and meaningful opportunities for personal and professional development.

What We Offer:

• Employer-paid Health Insurance (HDHP coverage)
• Fully Paid Individual Dental and Vision Plans
• Agency-paid Life Insurance (equal to your annual salary)
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
• Health Savings Accounts (HSA) with employer contributions
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for mental health and wellness
• Generous Paid Time Off, including a full holiday week between Christmas and New Year’s
• 401(k) Retirement Plan with employer match program
• Ongoing Training, Education, and Staff Engagement Activities

Join a team that values your well-being as much as the well-being of the individuals we serve. At The Family Counseling Center, your work will truly make a difference, every day

Discover more about our culture and values by visiting https://www.thefamilycounselingcenter.org/why-join-us/

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $24.00 per hour

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Application Question(s):

• How did you find us? (Facebook, LinkedIn, Indeed) or were you referred by one of our amazing staff? If so who?
• Please share how you are able to use your first-hand experience with social, emotional, medical/developmental, substance use, experience in the juvenile justice system, special education and /or foster care, to support young people in their resiliency/recovery and wellness journeys.
• Please answer Yes or No - Candidates must meet the qualifications to be a Youth Peer Advocate and be eligible to participate in the training. Do you meet the requirements (see below) to become a credentialed YPA ?

-YPAs are individuals between 18 and 30 years of age
-YPAs self-identify as a person who has first-hand experience with social, emotional, medical/developmental, substance use, experience in the juvenile justice system, special education and /or foster care

License/Certification:

• NYS Drivers License (Required)
• Youth Peer Advocate (YPA) certification (Preferred)

Ability to Commute:

• Gloversville, NY 12078 (Required)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $24