Peer Advocate

Liberty Resources; City of Syracuse (NY); On-site; USD 50,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

Liberty Resources in Syracuse, NY seeks a Youth Peer Advocate to support youth and families in clinical and community settings, drawing on lived experience to foster engagement and recovery.

Youth-focused role emphasizes collaboration with interdisciplinary teams, care planning, and facilitating peer groups, with responsibilities including documentation, supervision, and travel to appointments as needed.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED required.
• Demonstrated lived experience navigating youth and behavioral health systems.
• Ability to use lived experience to support, engage, and empower youth.
• New York State Credentialed Youth Peer Advocate (YPA) or willingness to obtain credential within one year.
• Valid New York State Driver’s License and access to a personal vehicle.
• Strong communication, interpersonal, organizational, and engagement skills for multidisciplinary teamwork.
• Proficiency with electronic health records (EHR) and strong problem-solving abilities.

Responsibilities

• Provide one-to-one peer support, skill building, coaching, engagement, advocacy, and resiliency services to youth and families.
• Promote hope, wellness, and empowerment by modeling resiliency and sharing personal recovery experiences.
• Support youth through transitions in care and into adulthood, including system navigation and linkage to resources.
• Facilitate or coordinate youth peer resiliency groups and collaborate with care navigators to promote continuity of care.
• Participate as an active member of the interdisciplinary team and contribute to care plans.
• Complete assessments, progress notes, care plans, and incident reports per standards.
• Participate in supervision, meetings, trainings, certifications, and travel to appointments as needed.

Skills

Lived experience support

Communication skills

Interdisciplinary teamwork

Engagement and empowerment

Critical thinking

Education

High School Diploma or GED

New York State Credentialed Youth Peer Advocate (YPA) / willingness to obtain

Tools

Electronic Health Records (EHR)

Job description

Youth Peer Advocate Position Summary:

Under the supervision of the Program Supervisor or designee, the Youth Peer Advocate provides formal and informal services and supports provided to youth who are experiencing social, medical, emotional, developmental, substance use, and/or behavioral challenges in their home, school, placement and/or community centered services. Support is intended to ensure engagement and active participation of the youth in the treatment planning process and with the ongoing implementation and reinforcement of skills.

Youth Peer Advocate Job Responsibilities:

• Provide one-to-one peer support, skill building, coaching, engagement, advocacy, and resiliency services to youth and families in the clinic and community, drawing on personal lived experience and recovery.
• Promote hope, wellness, and empowerment by modeling resiliency and sharing personal recovery experiences when appropriate.
• Support youth through transitions in care and into adulthood, including system navigation, linkages to community resources, and accompaniment to appointments and meetings.
• Facilitate or coordinate youth peer resiliency/recovery support groups and collaborate with care and patient navigators to promote continuity of care.
• Participate as an active member of the interdisciplinary team, contributing to comprehensive care plans and incorporating youth and family preferences, beliefs, and strengths into service delivery.
• Complete required assessments, progress notes, care plans, quality monitoring, incident reporting, and other documentation in accordance with agency, program, and regulatory standards.
• Participate in supervision, staff meetings, trainings, and professional development; maintain required certifications, follow agency policies, respond to emergencies, and travel to appointments as needed.

Youth Peer Advocate Qualifications:

• High School Diploma or High School Equivalency required.
• Demonstrated lived experience as a youth or young adult navigating social, emotional, behavioral health, or related systems.
• Ability to use lived experience to effectively support, engage, and empower youth.
• New York State Credentialed Youth Peer Advocate (YPA) or willingness to obtain credential within one year.
• Valid New York State Driver’s License and access to a personal vehicle.
• Strong communication, interpersonal, organizational, and engagement skills, with the ability to work effectively as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Proficiency with electronic health records and demonstrated critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.

Salary:

Salary: $50,000 - $55,000 annually.

Liberty Resources is committed to creating a diverse inclusive environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. Liberty Resources offers equal employment opportunities to all persons without regard to race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, marital status, physical or mental disability, parental status, housing status, source of income or military status, in accordance with applicable federal, state and local EEO laws.

#INDIHC4