Youth Peer Advocate

Vanderheyden Hall Inc; City of Glens Falls (NY); On-site; USD 28,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

Vanderheyden Hall Inc. is seeking a Youth Peer Advocate to deliver peer support and training services to youth facing mental health and related challenges.

The role works as part of a triad with a Family Peer Advocate and a High-Fidelity Wraparound Care Manager, with travel across Capital District locations. The position is full-time and requires engaging youth, assessing needs, and helping implement plans using skills-building, coaching, and empowerment strategies.

Qualifications

• Must be between ages 18 and 30.
• Self-identify with personal experience related to mental health, juvenile justice, special education, or foster care, or be in recovery.
• High school diploma or equivalent preferred.
• Complete Youth Peer Advocate training and credentialing or be able to do so.
• Valid NYS driver's license with clean MVR; may need online Defensive Driving course.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate closely with triad team (Family Peer Advocate and HFW Care Manager).
• Engage youth and families to initiate partnerships and service delivery.
• Conduct youth assessments using CANS-NY and comprehensive assessments.
• Help youth meet care plan goals through skills and coaching.
• Provide skills attainment, coaching, self-advocacy, and empowerment support.
• Facilitate meetings and engage diverse populations; participate in supervision.
• Perform related duties and home visits as needed.

Skills

Active listening

Community resources

Facilitation

Diversity & inclusion

Basic computing

Driver's license

Youth engagement

Education

High school diploma

Youth Peer Advocate training

Tools

Outlook

Word

Excel

Proprietary systems

Job description

The Youth Peer Advocate is responsible for providing Youth Peer Support and Training Services to youth who experience social, emotional, developmental, medical, substance abuse, and/or behavioral challenges in their home, school, placement, and/or community. The Youth Peer Advocate will function as a member of a triad team including a Family Peer Advocate and a High-Fidelity Wraparound (HFW) Care Manager. Full-time. Travel between locations in the Capital District area is required.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Work closely in collaboration with the other members of the triad team.
• Engage the child/family to begin the partnership and connection to service delivery.
• Conduct youth assessments to determine youth strengths and needs to inform the child’s CANS-NY and comprehensive assessment.
• Assist the youth in carrying out specific tasks to meet the youth’s plan of care goals.
• Provide Service components including:
• Skill Attainment Assistance and Skill Building.
• Coaching.
• Self-Advocacy, Self-Efficacy and Empowerment.
• Engagement, Bridging, and Transition Support.
• Community Connections and Natural Supports.
• Demonstrate qualities of leadership:
• Knowledge of advocacy.
• Group development and/or facilitation of peer-to- peer groups or activities.
• Participate in regularly scheduled supervision.
• Perform all reasonable, related duties as assigned.

Required Education, Knowledge, and Skills:

• Must be between the ages of 18 and 30.
• Self-identify as having personal experience with mental health, juvenile justice, special education, or foster care and/or be in recovery from substance abuse.
• Use lived experience to assist in supporting youth in their resiliency/recovery wellness.
• High School Diploma or equivalent preferred.
• Completed or able to complete Youth Peer Advocate required training and credentialing.
• Must have a valid NYS Driver's license and clean MVR. May be required to complete an online Defensive Driving course.
• Knowledge of community resources.
• Demonstrate active listening skills.
• Ability to facilitate meetings with a large number of participants.
• Ability and willingness to share personal knowledge and experience with youth-serving systems.
• Comfortable making home visits and working with a broadly diverse population.
• Knowledge of basic computing systems such as Outlook, Word, Excel, and the ability to learn and navigate proprietary systems.

Abilities and Working Conditions:

• Must be available to work a 40-hour work week.
• Must be able to lift 25 pounds.
• Requires sitting for long periods of time, as well as standing, stooping, squatting, kneeling, and climbing stairs.
• Use of hands and fingers to execute daily tasks.
• Must be able to stand and run for moderate periods of time.
• Must be able to perform restraints and maintain TCI certification.
• Willingness to respond to the needs of a culturally diverse population.

Compensation:

$20-$22 an hour based on education.

Vanderheyden is committed to the National Sanctuary Model - a blueprint for clinical and organizational change which, at its core, promotes safety and recovery from adversity through the active creation of a trauma-informed community. The Sanctuary Model's focus is not only on the people who seek services, but equally on the people and systems that provide those served.

Vanderheyden, as an Equal Opportunity Employer, does not discriminate in its hiring or employment practices on the basis of gender, race or ethnicity, color, national origin, religion, age, disability, military or marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, prior arrest or conviction record or any other category protected by applicable federal, state or local laws.

Qualifications

Education

Required

High School or better.

Preferred

High School Equivalent or better.

Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.