Drop-In Center Youth Peer Support Specialist - Port

RiverValley Consulting Services; Henderson (KY); On-site; USD 29,000 - 38,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive pay

Comprehensive benefits

Paid time off + 9 holidays

Retirement plan options

Tuition reimbursement + CEUs

Clinical supervision

Wellness & employee assistance

Mileage reimbursement

Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)

Job summary

RiverValley Consulting Services seeks a Drop-In Center Youth Peer Support Specialist for The PORT in Henderson, KY. The role involves supporting transition-age youth (16-25) with mental health resources, life skills, job placement, and peer supports in a drop-in center setting.

The position offers full-time and part-time afternoon shifts. Candidates should have lived experience with behavioral health services and a strong commitment to youth advocacy and community collaboration.

Qualifications

• Demonstrates leadership and advocacy in behavioral health.
• Strong communication skills, both oral and written.
• Experience working with youth and community partners in behavioral health.
• Ability to make appropriate decisions and manage conflict.

Responsibilities

• Provide support to youth by sharing lived experiences in accessing mental health supports.
• Serve as a role model for youth through lived experience.
• Help youth make their voices heard and advocate for themselves.
• Develop youth self-advocacy and relationships with community partners.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of youth-related mental and behavioral health issues.
• Complete trainings and meetings on state and organizational levels.
• Serve aged 18–35 as Youth Peer Support Specialist and document activities thoroughly.
• Collaborate with leadership and program teams, and perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Leadership

Advocacy

Communication

Community partnerships

Decision making

Conflict management

Education

High School diploma or GED

Kentucky Family Leadership Academy training

Job description

Position Title: Drop-In Center Youth Peer Support Specialist - Port

Location: Henderson, KY 42420

Description

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 required—being a transition aged youth or young adult, between 18 to 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.

Position Type: Full Time

Travel Percentage: None

Education Level: High School/GED

Job Shift: Day

Equal employment opportunity, including veterans and individuals with disabilities.