Youth Support Navigator - Certified Youth Peer Support Specialist

Magellan Health; Las Cruces (NM); Hybrid; USD 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

Magellan Health in Las Cruces, NM, seeks a Youth Support Navigator to provide non-clinical peer support for adolescents. The role combines in-person meetings with remote touchpoints and requires meeting members 3–4 times weekly, traveling within the southern New Mexico region.

You will help youth ages 14–21 develop independence through recovery planning, wellness self-management, and resilience-building, role-modeling recovery and healthy coping skills.

Qualifications

• Self-identified person in recovery with lived experience of youth/young adult mental health or substance use services.
• Completed training and certification as a Youth Peer Support Specialist.
• Reliable vehicle and ability to travel in the community.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite and comfort using mobile apps and web-based platforms.
• Strong interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills.
• Ability to document accurately and maintain timely records.
• Knowledge of local mental health, substance use and community systems, recovery and resiliency principles, wrapround, and tools such as wellness planning and the 8 dimensions of wellness.
• Experience representing member strengths and needs in clinical or interdisciplinary settings.
• Ability to analyze complex situations and make independent decisions.
• Proven ability to work both independently and as part of a team in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Direct Peer Support & Recovery Planning: Provide one-to-one peer support for youth with mental health or substance use needs and guide wellness goals using an evidence-based framework.
• Administrative Responsibilities: Maintain accurate documentation, participate in supervision, and travel within the community to meet youth members.
• Engagement & Education: Proactively reach out to youth to support enrollment and educate providers and staff on resiliency and recovery practices.

Skills

Lived experience

Peer support

Wellness planning

Communication skills

Travel

Education

GED/High School diploma

Associate Degree

Bachelor's degree

Job description

This position has a hybrid schedule and requires meeting in person with members 3-4 times a week. The ideal candidate must reside in the southern region of New Mexico and be able to travel.

This position provides non-clinical, evidence-based peer support services, serves as a youth advocate, shares coping skills, and provides recovery information for youth members ages 14 - 21. This position performs a wide range of tasks designed to assist youth members in developing independence through individual recovery planning, wellness self-management, and strengthening resilience to improve personal health outcomes. This position will role model competency in recovery, resiliency, and wellness practices.

Responsibilities

• Direct Peer Support & Recovery Planning: Provide one-to-one peer support for youth with mental health or substance use needs. Guide youth in developing wellness plans using an evidence-based framework. Facilitate use of the 8 Dimensions of Wellness to set whole-health goals. Assist with transitions from inpatient, residential, and alternative care settings to community-based recovery supports. Support youth in building empowerment, self-advocacy, and problem-solving skills and maintaining progress toward recovery through community participation and role modeling wellness. (50%)
• Administrative Responsibilities: Maintain accurate, timely, and complete documentation to ensure records meet compliance, audit, and reporting requirements. Participate in supervision, training, and ongoing professional development. Travel within the community to meet youth members. (40%)
• Engagement & Education: Initiate proactive outreach to youth to build engagement and facilitate successful enrollment into the peer support program. Educate providers, internal staff, and youth on resiliency and recovery practices. (10%)

The job duties listed above are representative and not intended to be all-inclusive of what may be expected of an employee assigned to this job. A leader may assign additional or other duties which would align with the intent of this job, without revision to the job description.

Other Job Requirements

• Self-identified person in recovery with lived experience of youth/young adult mental health or substance use services.
• Completed training and certification as a Youth Peer Support Specialist.
• Reliable vehicle and ability to travel in the community.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite and comfort using mobile apps and web-based platforms.
• Strong interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills.
• Ability to document accurately and maintain timely records.
• Knowledge of local mental health, substance use and community systems, recovery and resiliency principles, wrapround, and tools such as wellness planning and the 8 dimensions of wellness.
• Experience representing member strengths and needs in clinical or interdisciplinary settings.
• Ability to analyze complex situations and make independent decisions.
• Proven ability to work both independently and as part of a team in a fast-paced environment.

General Job Information

• Title: Youth Support Navigator - Certified Youth Peer Support Specialist
• Grade: 20
• Work Experience - Required: Lived Experience With Mental Health/Substance Use Recovery, Peer Specialist
• Education - Required: GED, High School
• Education - Preferred: Associate, Bachelor's
• License And Certifications - Required: YPSS - Youth Peer Support Specialist - Care MgmtCare Mgmt
• Salary Minimum: $41,505
• Salary Maximum: $62,255

This position may be eligible for short-term incentives as well as a comprehensive benefits package. Magellan offers a broad range of health, life, voluntary and other benefits and perks that enhance your physical, mental, emotional and financial wellbeing.

Magellan Health, Inc. is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer and a Tobacco-free workplace. EOE/M/F/Vet/Disabled.

Every employee must understand, comply with and attest to the security responsibilities and security controls unique to their position; and comply with all applicable legal, regulatory, and contractual requirements and internal policies and procedures.