Youth Peer Support Specialist

RiverValley Consulting Services; Owensboro (KY); On-site; USD 40,000 - 56,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive pay

Comprehensive benefits (health, dental

Vision, Telehealth)

Paid time off + 9 holidays

Retirement plan options

Tuition reimbursement + free CEUs

Clinical supervision

Wellness & employee assistance

Mileage reimbursement for work related

Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)

Job summary

RiverValley Consulting Services in Owensboro, KY seeks a Youth Peer Support Specialist for Transition Aged Youth (TAY). You will serve as a role model and ensure youth voices are heard in behavioral health services.

You will use lived experiences to assist youth in understanding services, build self-advocacy, and partner with community resources while maintaining documentation. This is a full-time position for ages 21–35, with occasional travel and required trainings, CPR/First Aid, and a valid

Qualifications

• Leadership and advocacy experience in behavioral health settings.
• Strong communication skills, both oral and written.
• Knowledge of local community partners and services.
• Ability to make sound decisions and manage conflicts.
• Ability to model positive behavior for youth.

Responsibilities

• Provides support to youth through sharing lived experiences in accessing mental/behavioral health supports.
• Uses lived experiences to teach and serve as a role model for youth.
• Supports youth in understanding youth culture, self-advocacy, and building community relationships.
• Maintains up-to-date knowledge of youth-related mental/behavioral health issues.
• Completes trainings, supervisions, and meetings at state and organizational levels.
• Meets the age requirement (21–35) and can continue providing services until 35.
• Maintains comprehensive documentation in written or Avatar formats.
• Fosters collaboration with leadership and program teams.

Skills

Leadership & advocacy

Self-directed development

Communication skills

Knowledge of community partners

Decision making & conflict management

Modeling positive behavior

Education

High School/GED

Job description

Position Title

Position Title: Youth Peer Support Specialist

Location

Location: Owensboro, KY 42301; Henderson, KY 42420

Description

RiverValley provides targeted case management for children and teens ages 3-18 who have been diagnosed with a severe emotional disability. These services are provided to assist the child in receiving the medical, educational, and social support services they need to develop self-sufficiency and promote independence.

The Youth Peer Support Specialist for TAY uses relevant personal experiences to serve as a role model for the youth. They ensure Youth’s voices and choices are heard and help drive the TAY model of care. This person will themselves have received state-funded services from at least one child-serving agency and will demonstrate leadership and advocacy abilities in the field of behavioral health.

Essential Functions

• Provides support to youth through sharing lived experiences in accessing mental health/ behavioral health supports.
• Uses lived experiences to teach through experience and serves as an appropriate role model for youth.
• Supports and guides youth in understanding youth culture, developing self-advocacy measures, and developing relationships with community partners in order to eventually advocate for themselves and access services more fully.
• Maintains up to date knowledge of youth-related mental and behavioral health issues.
• Maintains timely completion of required trainings, supervisions, meeting attendance, etc., at state and organizational levels.
• Meets requirements of being a transition aged youth or young adult, between 21 or older, but can continue providing services as a Youth Peer Support Specialist until the age of 35.
• Maintains, in a comprehensive manner, all required documentation pertinent to role, in written and/or Avatar formats.
• Fosters collaborative working relationships among members of the leadership and management teams and programs.
• Other duties as assigned.

Why Choose RiverValley?

RiverValley is now a Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC), expanding access to high-quality, integrated care in the communities we serve. Join a mission-driven organization committed to clinical excellence, professional growth, and meaningful impact.

We offer

• Competitive pay
• Comprehensive benefits (health, dental, vision, Telehealth)
• Paid time off + 9 holidays
• Retirement plan options
• Tuition reimbursement + free CEUs
• Clinical supervision
• Wellness & employee assistance programs
• Mileage reimbursement for work related travel
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) - eligible employer

Qualifications

Education and Experience

• High School diploma or GED.
• Meets the criteria as a youth having lived with an emotional, social, behavioral, and/ or substance use disability.
• Must be between the ages of 21-35.
• Must have completed a short essay discussing experience of having received state-funded services from at least one child-serving agency.
• MANDT: Yes -Valid Driver’s License: Yes -CPR/ First Aid: Yes-Reliable Transportation.

Knowledge and Skills

• Demonstrates experience with leadership and advocacy in the behavioral health field, both with individuals and groups.
• Demonstrates effort at self-directed leadership development.
• Good communication skills, both oral and written.
• Demonstrates relevant knowledge of pertinent community partners.
• Ability to make appropriate decisions and manage conflict.
• Ability to model appropriate behaviors for youth accessing services.

Position Type: Full Time

Travel Percentage: Frequent

Education Level: High School/GED

Job Shift: Day

Equal employment opportunity, including veterans and individuals with disabilities.