Youth Peer Mentor (Part-time)

UNITED ACTION FOR YOUTH; Iowa City (IA); On-site; USD 20,000 - 29,000; Part time

Job summary

United Action for Youth is seeking a part-time Youth Peer Mentor to provide mentorship, advocacy, and engagement services to youth in RHY programs. You will use lived experience and positive youth development to help participants build confidence and life skills, while promoting youth voice and empowerment.

The role offers professional development, coaching, and opportunities for advancement into related youth-serving positions.

Qualifications

• Lived experience related to homelessness, housing instability, or youth served.
• High School Diploma or GED.
• Strong desire to support youth.
• Ability to relate to diverse youth populations.
• Valid driver’s license or reliable transportation.
• Commitment to confidentiality and boundaries.

Responsibilities

• Build trusting relationships with youth participants.
• Provide mentorship, encouragement, and emotional support.
• Help youth identify strengths, goals, and growth opportunities.
• Promote youth leadership and self-advocacy.
• Assist with housing, education, employment, and independent living navigation.
• Model healthy communication and problem solving.
• Maintain professional boundaries and accountability.
• Collaborate with Youth Action Board.

Skills

Lived experience

Strong communication

Interpersonal skills

Diversity sensitivity

Driver's license

Education

High School Diploma/GED

Job description

Basic Function and Responsibility:

Under the supervision of the RHY Program Manager, the Youth Peer Mentor provides mentorship, support, advocacy, and engagement services to youth and young adults participating in United Action for Youth's Runaway and Homeless Youth (RHY) programs. The Youth Peer Mentor uses lived experience, leadership skills, and positive youth development practices to help participants build confidence, strengthen life skills, access resources, and achieve personal goals.

This position is designed as a workforce development and leadership pathway for young adults interested in careers in social services, youth work, housing services, community outreach, behavioral health, or nonprofit leadership. The Youth Peer Mentor will gain experience in street outreach, case management, life skills coaching, coordinated entry, youth advocacy, crisis intervention, group facilitation, program compliance, documentation, and community collaboration. Through direct service experience, professional development opportunities, and ongoing coaching, the Youth Peer Mentor develops skills necessary for advancement into positions such as Outreach and Engagement Specialist, Housing Case Manager, Life Skills Coach, Coordinated Entry Specialist, or other youth-serving roles.

The Youth Peer Mentor serves as a positive role model while promoting youth voice, empowerment, resilience, and self-determination.

Essential Duties:

Peer Mentorship and Youth Engagement

• Build trusting and supportive relationships with youth participants

• Provide mentorship, encouragement, and emotional support to participants

• Assist youth in identifying strengths, goals, and opportunities for growth

• Promote youth leadership, self-advocacy, and positive decision-making

• Support participants in navigating challenges related to housing, education, employment, parenting, and independent living

• Model healthy communication, problem-solving, and conflict resolution skills

• Maintain professional boundaries while fostering meaningful connections

• Collaborating with the Youth Action Board

Program Participation and Support

• Assist with facilitation of life skills groups, workshops, and youth activities

• Support outreach events, youth engagement activities, and community education efforts

• Help orient new participants to RHY programs and available resources

• Encourage participant involvement in program activities and leadership opportunities

• Assist with transportation, appointment reminders, and resource navigation when appropriate

• Support youth participating in Transitional Living, Maternity Group Home, Street Outreach, and Housing programs

Workforce Development and Leadership Activities

• Participate in a structured professional development plan

• Complete agency training related to trauma-informed care, Positive Youth Development, Motivational Interviewing, Housing First, crisis intervention, and cultural responsiveness

• Shadow program staff across multiple RHY programs

• Participate in leadership development activities and special projects

• Develop public speaking, facilitation, documentation, and advocacy skills

• Participate in regular coaching sessions focused on career development and goal achievement

• Complete individualized professional development goals

Advocacy and Resource Navigation

• Assist youth in accessing housing, healthcare, education, employment, transportation, childcare, and community resources

• Help participants understand available services and support systems

• Advocate alongside youth to address barriers and promote equitable access to services

• Support youth participation in community meetings, advisory boards, and leadership opportunities

Documentation and Team Collaboration

• Maintain timely and accurate records of participant interactions as required

• Participate in supervision, team meetings, and agency trainings

• Collaborate with Housing Case Managers, Outreach Specialists, Life Skills Coaches, Coordinated Entry staff, and community partners

• Maintain confidentiality and adhere to agency policies and procedures

• Communicate participant needs and concerns to appropriate staff members

Related Duties:

• Perform other related tasks assigned by the Program Director

• Develop and maintain knowledge of resources, services, and opportunities available to assist participants

Qualifications:

• Lived experience related to homelessness, housing instability, foster care, systems involvement, recovery, parenting as a young adult, or other experiences relevant to youth served by UAY or by other housing service agencies

• Has obtained or in progress of completion; High School Diploma/ GED

• Strong desire to support youth and young adults

• Ability to relate effectively to diverse youth populations

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills

• Commitment to learning and professional growth

• Ability to maintain confidentiality and professional boundaries

• Experience participating in youth leadership programs, mentoring, advocacy, or community engagement activities

• Valid driver's license or reliable transportation

Core Competencies:

• Learning: Approaches experiences as learning and development opportunities

• Communication: Exhibits active listening, empathy, cultural humility, and inclusiveness in communications

• Organization & Attention to Detail: Maintains accuracy in record keeping, follows established structures, and manages time effectively in a fast-paced environment

• Problem Solving: Proactively identifies challenges and seeks assistance to implements solutions

• Adaptability: Thrives in evolving environments and exhibits the ability to work independently and within a team

• Collaboration: Works effectively across teams and builds relationships

Working Conditions:

• Part-time at 10-20 hours per week

• Primarily office and field based with occasional flexibility depending on organizational needs

• May require periodic evening or weekend work

• This is a grant funded position contingent on grant funding

We believe in the power of diversity; people of all backgrounds and experiences are encouraged to apply.

Compensation:

$18 starting hourly wage, plus paid training, professional and leadership development opportunities, career coaching, paid time off, 12 paid holidays (including 6 floating holidays), employee assistance program

Status:

This is an in-person, part-time, non-exempt position.