Young Peers Coordinator

WNY Independent Living Inc.; City of Batavia (NY); On-site; USD 42,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

Western New York Independent Living, Inc. (WNYIL) seeks a Young Peers Coordinator to lead the Young Peers Program across Erie, Niagara, Genesee, Orleans and Wyoming Counties.

You will supervise Youth Peer Advocates, provide peer support in person and online, and partner with the COO on budgeting and funding proposals. The role requires an associate or bachelor’s degree in Human Services, experience with youth peer services, and strong communication.

Qualifications

• Associate or Bachelor’s degree in Human Services or related field.
• Youth Peer Advocate credential preferred.
• Three years of direct youth peer service experience.
• Experience supervising staff preferred.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate and supervise the Young Peers Program across Erie, Niagara, Genesee, Orleans and Wyoming Counties.
• Monitor progress and evaluate the impact of the program.
• Achieve and report the progress of program goals to appropriate funding sources.
• Supervise all Youth Peer Advocates (YPAs) according to WNYIL policies, procedures and practices.
• Jointly develop the annual budget of Young Peers Program with the COO.
• Monitor, maintain, and request goods and services necessary for the operation of the program.
• Coordinate WNYIL’s Young Peers Advisory Council, including recruitment, meeting logistics, and recordkeeping.
• Advocate and promote interests of the Young Peers Advisory Council in the community, state and nation.

Skills

Supervisory experience

Peer support

Communication skills

Budget coordination

Grant writing

Documentation & records

Education

Associate degree in Human Services

Bachelor's degree in Human Services

Tools

Excel

Databases

Word processing

Networks

Job description

Order#: NY1701120

Young Peers Coordinator

GENERAL JOB DESCRIPTION

Lead the ongoing development of the Young Peers Program within Western New York Independent Living, Inc. (WNYIL) covering Erie, Niagara, Genesee, Orleans and Wyoming Counties. Supervise Youth Peer Advocates. Provide peer support in person, and on-line.

Responsibilities

• Responsible for the coordination and supervision of the Young Peers Program.
• Responsible for monitoring and evaluating the progress and impact of the program.
• Achieve and report the progress of program goals to appropriate funding sources.
• Supervise all Youth Peer Advocates (YPAs) according to WNYIL, Inc. policies, procedures and practices, including recruitment, hiring, evaluation and termination of staff.
• Jointly develop the annual budget of Young Peers Program with the COO.
• Monitor, maintain, and request goods and services necessary for the operation of the program.
• Coordinate WNYIL, Inc.s Young Peers Advisory Council, including the recruitment of members, meeting logistics, and recordkeeping.
• Advocate and promote interests of the Young Peers Advisory Council in the community, state and nation.
• Monitor and coordinate activities of WNYIL Inc.s online Young Peers support forum.
• Identify potential funding streams and assist with crafting funding proposals/grants.
• Ensure the delivery of peer advocacy services to transition-age youth with disabilities.
• Facilitate skill-building groups and trainings for young people with disabilities.
• Inform individuals about various programs that are available to them and assist them in securing and/or maintaining benefits, such as vocational rehabilitation, social services, Medicaid, etc.
• Conduct and collect the results of WNYIL, Inc.s consumer satisfaction measuring tools and report results to the Young Peers Advisory Council and WNYIL, Inc.s Administration.
• Accurately document consumer services and required paperwork in WNYILs Electronic Consumer Record (ECR), within two (2) working days of the date of service.
• Monitor Electronic Consumer Service records to ensure that consumer data and reporting of services are complete and correct.
• Attend Agencys in-service training and staff meetings as well as any other Agency-related activities as required.
• Participate in maintaining a neat, clean and safe work environment.
• Perform other job-related duties as assigned by the supervisor.

EDUCATION & TRAINING

Associate degree in Human Services or related field

OR

Bachelors degree in Human Services or related field

Professional and life experience may be considered in lieu of, in full or part of academic credentials.

Candidates with a Youth Peer Advocate credential is preferred.

KNOWLEDGE & EXPERIENCE (if required)

• Be an individual who has self-identified as a person who has first‑hand experience with emotional (mental health), behavioral challenges and/or co-occurring disorders.
• Be able to use lived experience with a disability, mental illness and involvement with juvenile justice, special education, substance use disorder and/or foster care to assist in supporting youth in their resiliency/recovery and wellness.
• Must have three (3) years of direct youth peer service experience.

Experience As a Supervisor Or Manager Is Preferred.

Skills & Abilities

• Must have reliable transportation in order to travel independently across Erie, Niagara, Genesee, Orleans and Wyoming Counites.
• Demonstrate ability to engage with diverse groups of people.
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Must have intermediate level of knowledge of computers including the use of Excel spreadsheets, databases, word processing and networks.
• Perform in a professional, conscientious, and efficient manner for the purpose of ensuring a better quality of life for persons with disabilities.