Youth Peer Support Specialist

Comcareme; Augusta (ME); On-site; USD 38,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

Comcareme in Augusta, ME seeks a Peer Support Specialist to provide youth-focused, community-based support using the Peer Connect curriculum. This role emphasizes lived experience, advocacy, and connecting youth to resources while respecting their preferred settings and choices.

You will train to Maine Peer Connect certification, maintain certifications, document contacts within 24 hours, travel across the region, participate in workshops, and support educational and vocational goals for youth.

Qualifications

• Lived experience with Severe Emotional Disturbance or Severe Mental Illness.
• Must have a valid State of Maine Driver's license and a registered, insured vehicle.
• Must be able to pass background checks including DMV, CPS, APS, and Criminal checks.

Responsibilities

• Attend Peer Connect training to become Maine Peer Connect certified and maintain certification.
• Provide one-on-one peer support to youth using the Peer Connect curriculum, allowing youth to choose location.
• Travel across the region to deliver services, including rural areas.
• Link youth with resources and referrals as requested by the youth.
• Maintain office hours during drop-in hours at multiple locations.
• Facilitate workshops and coordinate speakers/educational opportunities.
• Document all contacts within 24 hours and on the tracking tool.
• Participate in agency meetings and supervisions.
• Support youth in pursuing educational/vocational goals and connect with MV Liaison or employment agencies.

Skills

Lived experience with SED/SMI

Maine driver’s license

Vehicle ownership/insurance

Background checks

Documentation

Job description

GENERAL PURPOSE AND OBJECTIVES/POSITION STATEMENT:

The PSS provides peer support services in accordance with the Peer Connect curriculum across all settings preferred by the youth including agency offices, youth's homes, and community-based settings.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

1. Attend Peer Connect training to become Maine Peer Connect certified within the timeline set by the agency, in addition to annually attending Peer Connect Learning Collaborative components to maintain Maine certification and all additional agency training.
2. Demonstrate an understanding of the core competencies established by the Federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.
3. Provide one-on-one peer support services to youth utilizing the Peer Connect curriculum, allowing the youth to select the location and setting in which they are most comfortable.
4. Travel to various areas across the region to deliver one-on-one peer support services to youth, including the most rural areas.
5. Link youth with resources as needed, including assisting youth with referrals and in accessing services as requested by the youth.
6. Maintain office hours during times of peer support drop-in hours as scheduled in various office locations across the region.
7. Work as a member of the YPSSN team in facilitating workshops and coordinating speakers/educational opportunities.
8. Upon case assignment, attempt first contact by the end of business day, documenting all attempted contact efforts within 24 hours.
9. Document all one-on-one contacts with youth within 24 hours.
10. Document all YPSSN activities including, but not limited to, groups, workshops, and educational activities on the tracking tool.
11. Assist as needed in disseminating youth surveys upon request.
12. Participate in agency meetings as requested, including individual and group supervisions.
13. Support youth in pursuing their educational/vocational goals, including linking them with an MV Liaison and/or employment assistance agency as appropriate.
14. Other tasks as assigned by the supervisor.

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE AND CERTIFICATES

Peer Support Specialists must be between the ages of 18-26 and have lived experience with Severe Emotional Disturbance or Severe Mental Illness.Must have a valid State of Maine Driver's license and a registered, insured vehicle currently or within 12 months of hire.

Must be able to pass background checks including DMV, CPS, APS, and Criminal checks.