Youth Peer Support Specialist

Comcareme; Rockland (ME); On-site; USD 25,000 - 33,000; Full time

Job summary

Comcareme seeks a Youth Peer Support Specialist to provide peer-led support using the Maine Peer Connect curriculum across agency offices, youth homes, and community settings.

The role emphasizes recovery-oriented engagement, resource linkage, and youth empowerment. Travel across the region is required, including rural areas. Applicants must be 18–26 and in recovery, with a Maine driver’s license within 12 months and clean background checks.

Qualifications

• Between 18 and 26 years old.
• Must be in recovery from a mental health disorder and willing to self-disclose.
• Must have or obtain a Maine driver's license and be insured within 12 months of hire.
• Must 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 and allow youth to choose their preferred location.
• Travel across the region to deliver services, including rural areas.
• Link youth to resources and assist with referrals and accessing services.
• Maintain office hours during drop-in periods across multiple office locations.
• Collaborate with the YPSSN team to facilitate workshops and coordinate speakers.
• Document all contacts with youth within 24 hours and record YPSSN activities in the tracking tool.
• Participate in agency meetings and supervision sessions.
• Support youth in pursuing educational or vocational goals and connect with MV Liaison or employment services.
• Other tasks as assigned by supervisor.

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 must be an individual who is receiving, or has received, services related to the diagnosis of a mental health disorder that has seriously impacted their life and relationships for an extended period of time, is in recovery, and is willing to self-disclose on this basis.

Must currently have, or obtain within 12 months of hire, 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.