Peer Support Specialist - Youth

Pathways Inc. - Kentucky; Louisa (KY); On-site; USD 33,000 - 37,000; Full time

Job summary

Pathways Inc. - Kentucky is seeking a Youth Peer Support Specialist to provide individualized and group peer support to youth and young adults.

The role centers on sharing recovery experiences, promoting hope, and teaching coping strategies in a collaborative, community-focused setting. The position requires lived experience with mental health services and a High School Diploma, with certification as a Youth Peer Support Specialist preferred or obtainable within the agency timeframe.

Qualifications

• Must have lived experience as a consumer of mental health services.
• Ability to build rapport and establish supportive relationships with youth and young adults.
• Experience collaborating with interagency teams preferred.
• Knowledge of or willingness to learn: System of Care principles, Wraparound services, cultural competency, evidence-based practices in mental health and adolescent substance abuse treatment.
• Strong communication, interpersonal, and advocacy skills.
• Ability to maintain professional boundaries and confidentiality.

Responsibilities

• Provide individual and group peer support services to youth and young adults.
• Serve as a positive role model by sharing personal recovery experience and promoting hope and resiliency.
• Teach effective coping skills, self-help strategies, and recovery-oriented techniques.
• Support consumers in identifying strengths, goals, and community resources.
• Advocate on behalf of consumers to ensure needs and concerns are addressed appropriately.
• Communicate consumer-related concerns and updates to supervisor in a timely manner.
• Collaborate with interagency teams and community partners to support coordinated care.
• Maintain documentation and records in accordance with agency policies and applicable regulations.
• Participate in trainings, meetings, and supervision as required.
• Perform all other duties as assigned.

Skills

Lived experience

Rapport building

Team collaboration

Communication skills

Advocacy skills

Confidentiality

Education

High School Diploma or equivalent

Job description

Pathways complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws and provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, pregnancy status, victim status, marital status, member of the armed services or covered veteran status, or any other status that is protected by applicable federal, state, and/or local laws. This policy includes, but is not limited to: recruitment, employment, promotion, demotion, transfer, termination, compensation, benefits, layoffs, training, and social and recreational programs.

Salary:

$32,500 - $36,652.50

Job Type:

10-Month

Educational Requirements

• High School Diploma or equivalent required

Certification/License Requirements

• Certification as a Youth Peer Support Specialist (YPSS) required or ability to obtain certification within agency-required timeframe
• Must meet YPSS eligibility criteria of 35 years old or younger

Duties & Responsibilities

• Provide individual and group peer support services to youth and young adults
• Serve as a positive role model by sharing personal recovery experience and promoting hope and resiliency
• Teach effective coping skills, self-help strategies, and recovery-oriented techniques
• Support consumers in identifying strengths, goals, and community resources
• Advocate on behalf of consumers to ensure needs and concerns are addressed appropriately
• Communicate consumer-related concerns and updates to supervisor in a timely manner
• Collaborate with interagency teams and community partners to support coordinated care
• Maintain documentation and records in accordance with agency policies and applicable regulations
• Participate in trainings, meetings, and supervision as required
• Perform all other duties as assigned

Skills & Knowledge

• Must have lived experience as a consumer of mental health services
• Ability to build rapport and establish supportive relationships with youth and young adults
• Experience collaborating with interagency or multidisciplinary teams preferred
• Knowledge of or willingness to learn:
• System of Care principles
• Care planning and Wraparound services
• Cultural competency
• Evidence-based practices in mental health and adolescent substance abuse treatment
• Strong communication, interpersonal, and advocacy skills
• Ability to maintain professional boundaries and confidentiality

This is a 10 month position