Drop-In Center Youth Peer Support Specialist - Port

River Valley Behavioral Health; Henderson (KY); On-site; USD 17,000 - 24,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive pay

Health, dental, vision benefits

Paid time off + 9 holidays

Retirement plan

Tuition reimbursement + CEUs

Clinical supervision

Wellness programs

Mileage reimbursement

PSLF - eligible employer

Job summary

River Valley Behavioral Health is seeking a Youth Peer Support Specialist for the Transition Aged Youth (TAY) Drop-in Center, The PORT, in Henderson, KY. The role centers on using lived experiences to support youth and drive the TAY model of care.

Youth aged 16–25 are served, with access to mental health resources, job placement, life skills training, and peer supports. The position emphasizes leadership, advocacy, and collaboration with community partners.

Qualifications

• High School diploma or GED.
• Must be between 18 and 35 years old.
• Must have lived with an emotional, social, behavioral, and/or substance use disability.
• Kentucky Family Leadership Academy completion, or plan to complete if offered a position.

Responsibilities

• Provides support to youth by sharing lived experiences in accessing mental health/behavioral health supports.
• Models appropriate behaviors for youth and uses experiences to teach.
• Supports youth in making their voices heard.
• Guides youth in self-advocacy and building community connections to access services.
• Maintains up-to-date knowledge of youth-related mental and behavioral health issues.
• Completes trainings and supervision requirements, and attends meetings as required.
• Must be able to serve as Youth Peer Support Specialist until age 35.
• Maintains documentation in written or Avatar formats.
• Fosters collaboration with leadership and program teams.
• Other duties as assigned.

Skills

Leadership & advocacy

Communication skills

Community partners knowledge

Conflict management

Decision making

Youth mentorship

Education

High School diploma or GED

Job description

Job Details

Job Location: Henderson, KY 42420, Position Type: Full Time, Education Level: High School/GED, Salary Range: $15.00 - $15.00 Hourly, Travel Percentage: None, Job Shift: Day,

Job Summary

Full time and Part Time afternoon position available!

The Youth Peer Support Specialist for Transition Aged Youth (TAY) Drop-in Center (The PORT)

uses relevant personal experiences to serve as a role model for the youth. They ensure Youth’s voices and choices are heard and help drive the TAY model of care. This person will themselves have received state-funded services from at least one child-serving agency and will demonstrate leadership and advocacy abilities in the field of behavioral health.

The Port is located in Henderson, KY and serves as a drop-in center offering mental health resources and other supports for transition age youth aged 16- 25.

The Port provides youth with access to computers, recreational activities, gaming systems, exercise equipment, and laundry facilities, along with mental health counseling, job placement services, life skills training, and peer supports.

Essential Functions

• Provides support to youth through sharing lived experiences in accessing mental health/ behavioral health supports.
• Uses lived experiences to teach through experience and serves as an appropriate role model for youth.
• Supports Youth who attend the PORT in making their voices heard.
• Supports and guides youth in understanding youth culture, developing self-advocacy measures, and developing relationships with community partners in order to eventually advocate for themselves and access services more fully.
• Maintains up to date knowledge of youth-related mental and behavioral health issues.
• Maintains timely completion of required trainings, supervisions, meeting attendance, etc., at state and organizational levels
• Meets requirements of being a transition aged youth or young adult, between 18to 25, but can continue providing services as a Youth Peer Support Specialist until the age of 35.
• Maintains, in a comprehensive manner, all required documentation pertinent to role, in written and/ or Avatar formats.
• Fosters collaborative working relationships among members of the leadership and management teams and programs.
• Other duties as assigned.

Why Choose RiverValley?

RiverValley is now a Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC), expanding access to high-quality, integrated care in the communities we serve. Join a mission-driven organization committed to clinical excellence, professional growth, and meaningful impact.

We offer

• Competitive pay
• Comprehensive benefits (health, dental, vision, Telehealth)
• Paid time off + 9 holidays
• Retirement plan options
• Tuition reimbursement + free CEUs
• Clinical supervision
• Wellness & employee assistance programs
• Mileage reimbursement for work related travel
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) - eligible employer

Qualifications: Education and Experience

• High School diploma or GED.
• Meets the criteria as a youth having lived with an emotional, social, behavioral, and/ or substance use disability.
• Must be between the ages of 18-35.
• Successfully completed the Kentucky Family Leadership Academy, or plan on completing the training if offered a position

Knowledge and Skills

• Demonstrates experience with leadership and advocacy in the behavioral health field, both with individuals and groups.
• Demonstrates effort at self-directed leadership development.
• Good communication skills, both oral and written.
• Demonstrates relevant knowledge of pertinent community partners.
• Ability to make appropriate decisions and manage conflict.
• Ability to model appropriate behaviors for youth accessing service.