Young Adult Peer Mentor

Open Sky Community Services; Worcester (MA); On-site; USD 30,000 - 33,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Excellent supervision

Generous time off

Tuition reimbursement

Medical, dental, vision

403b retirement plan

Life insurance

Student loan forgiveness eligibility

And more

Job summary

Open Sky Community Services is seeking a Peer Mentor to guide youth and young adults using lived experience to foster resilience and personal growth within a supportive team. The role emphasizes future goals in education, employment, and independent living while maintaining professional boundaries.

You will collaborate with families, providers, and natural supports to ensure the youth’s voice guides planning and decision-making and to help connect them to resources and opportunities in Central

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or equivalent; alternative education/experience considered.
• Must have lived experience of recovering from mental health, substance misuse, and/or traumatic life changes to be a peer to young adults.
• Valid Driver’s License and acceptable driving record.
• Reliability, willingness to learn, and desire to promote a better living standard for youth and young adults living with a mental illness or behavioral challenges.

Responsibilities

• Support youth in developing effective communication skills and strengthening relationships with family members, peers, natural supports, providers, and other members of their support network.
• Serve as a positive role model by demonstrating healthy self-advocacy, resilience, and responsible sharing of lived experiences to promote learning and personal growth.
• Connect youth and young adults to peer support services, community resources, educational opportunities, and other supportive programs that align with their goals and interests.
• Transport individuals safely and responsibly in support of service delivery and program activities.

Skills

Lived experience with mental health

Driver's license

Reliability

Willingness to learn

Education

High School Diploma or equivalent

Job description

Job Description

Open Sky provides a range of person-centered services designed to support youth, young adults, and their families in overcoming challenges, building resilience, and achieving their goals. Through individualized supports, skill-building opportunities, therapeutic interventions, family engagement, and connections to community resources, we help young people strengthen their independence, develop healthy relationships, and improve their overall well‑being. Our goal is to provide services tailored to each individual's strengths, needs, and aspirations, empowering them to thrive in their homes, schools, and communities.

The Peer Mentor uses their lived experience with purpose and intention to inspire hope, foster resilience, and support the personal growth of youth and young adults while maintaining appropriate professional boundaries. They work collaboratively with the individual's support team and natural supports to ensure the youth's voice, goals, and preferences guide service planning and decision‑making. Peer Mentors emphasize future‑focused goals such as education, employment, healthy relationships, community engagement, and independent living while helping youth develop the skills and confidence needed to achieve them.

Other Key Responsibilities

• Support youth in developing effective communication skills and strengthening relationships with family members, peers, natural supports, providers, and other members of their support network.
• Serve as a positive role model by demonstrating healthy self‑advocacy, resilience, and responsible sharing of lived experiences to promote learning and personal growth.
• Connect youth and young adults to peer support services, community resources, educational opportunities, and other supportive programs that align with their goals and interests.
• Transport individuals safely and responsibly in support of service delivery and program activities.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or equivalent. Alternative education/experience in lieu of formal education will be considered.
• Must have lived experience of recovering from mental health, substance misuse, and/or traumatic life changes to be a peer to young adults.
• Valid Driver’s License and acceptable driving record.
• Reliability, willingness to learn, and desire to promote a better living standard for youth and young adults living with a mental illness or behavioral challenges.

Pay Range

$22.07-$24.81

About Us

At Open Sky Community Services, we open our doors, hearts, and minds to the belief that every individual, regardless of perceived limitations, deserves the chance to live a productive and fulfilling life.

Open Sky is on an anti‑racist journey, committed to learning, living, and breathing inclusion, opportunity, diversity, racial equity, and justice for ALL.

At Open Sky, you’ll join over 1,300 compassionate and highly trained professionals who put innovative, evidence‑based practices to work in ways that positively impact our communities across Central Massachusetts and beyond.

As a trauma‑informed organization, Open Sky strives for transparency and sensitivity to the experiences of those we interact with. Self‑care is encouraged, and we are committed to providing a positive work culture that is focused on continuous learning and the value of diverse perspectives.

Open Sky is proud to be an industry leader in pay and benefits. Open the Door to Possibility and begin your career with Open Sky today!

Benefits Of Working For Open Sky Include

• Excellent Supervision (Individual and Group), Professional Development, and Training Opportunities
• Generous paid time off plan – you start with 29 days (almost 6 weeks!) in your first year, including 12 paid holidays. Increases to 32 days in your 2nd year, and the current maximum is 43 days (OVER 8 WEEKS!)
• We pay for your higher education! Ask about our Tuition Reimbursement Program, and reimbursement for a variety of Human Services certifications.
• Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance with Prescription Plan
• 403b Retirement Plan with Employer Match
• Life Insurance (100% Employer‑Paid)
• Eligible employer for the Public Student Loan Forgiveness Program
• And more!

Open Sky celebrates diversity and is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with federal and state employment opportunity laws, qualified applicants are considered for all positions without regard to race, gender, national origin, religion, age, sexual orientation, disability, veteran, or disabled Veteran status.