LGBTQIA+ Bilingual Peer Specialist

Side by Side•Hayward, CA

24d•$23 - $27

About The Position

Since our founding in 1895 in Marin County as an orphanage – and through subsequent years as Sunny Hills Services – Side by Side has been at the forefront of best practices in child welfare, working with the most vulnerable youth in our community. Today, Side by Side operates in four counties – Marin, Alameda, Sonoma, and Napa – across the Bay Area, reaching nearly 2,000 children, young adults, and family members per year with much-needed services related to behavioral and mental health, early intervention in schools, LGBTQIA+ support, transitional housing for foster youth, and special education. Side By Side places high value on individuals with a passion for helping underserved youth and families in a collaborative and inclusive work culture. We strive to work together to create a trauma-informed workplace where we walk the walk of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging principles. As the only LGBTQIA+ provider in South Alameda County, Our Space serves over 400 queer and trans East Bay youth each year, with a focus on disconnected LGBTQIA+ youth in the foster system that are at high risk of further isolation and possible homelessness because of their sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression (SOGIE). Approximately 75% of Our Space members are youth of color.

Requirements

Experience working with LGBTQ youth, preferably runaway/homeless youth and current or former foster youth
Bilingual - Fluent in English and Spanish required.
Experience with, and commitment to using, a positive youth development model.
Experience with Case Management
Experience with training facilitation and curriculum development.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office programs, particularly Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
Proficiency in utilizing Internet, email and web-based programs.
Strong written and verbal communication skills.
California Department of Justice and FBI fingerprint clearance
Reliable Transportation
A valid California driver's license
Personal vehicle insurance
Please note that Covid-19 vaccination is mandated for all Side by Side staff, except in cases of approved medical or religious accommodations.

Responsibilities

The role of the Peer Specialist is to provide support services, case management and facilitate support groups to LGBTQ students ages age 14 up to 21. The Peer Specialist may, at times, serve youth younger than 14, at the discretion of their supervisor.
The Peer Specialist will hold a caseload of 5-10 youth at any given time.
Responsible for documentation of meetings in Electronic Health Record.
Support services will be focused on placement stabilization, case management and Family Services and may include: weekly, individual support meetings with youth; facilitation of a weekly support group for LGBTQ foster youth, students, and Spanish speaking youth; collaboration and case consultation with school system staff and community partners; assessment and support of clients’ mental health needs; and referral and linkage services.
The Peer Specialist will work closely with staff at the school districts to provide crisis intervention and support groups; build rapport and trust with LGBTQ youth; and decrease barriers to LGBTQ youth receiving services, education and community resources.
Provide support, trainings, and consultation to HUSD and SLZUSD staff as they grow their skills in LGBTQ competent and affirming service provision.
This position requires a high level of independent decision making as 60 – 75% of the Peer Specialist time will be spent in the field providing community-based support services to youth.
Critical to this position is the ability to create and maintain positive working relationships with community partners, towards successfully supporting clients and engaging providers in submitting referrals.
This role works to raise awareness around the programming and services offered through Our Space, the Youth Acceptance Collaborative, and the Prevention Early Intervention Program.
Collaborate with Family Builders around referrals and shared clients who would benefit from Family Services.
The Peer Specialist is responsible for overseeing communications platforms, including social media, the monthly newsletter, and print materials.
Provide LGBTQ youth with appropriate service referrals and linkages.
Attend Coordination of Services Team (COST) meetings to provide support to LGBTQ youth.
Transport youth in vehicle on a regular basis.
Additionally, the Peer Specialist will network and collaborate with community partners, including Hayward Unified School District, San Lorenzo Unified School District, and nonprofit organizations serving LGBTQ youth, to identify and pursue opportunities for collaboration.
Participate in Our Space special projects, events, and/or community center programming and staffing as needed (at discretion of supervisor).
Participate in the tracking of outcomes and use of outcome measurement tools, including Child and Adolescent Needs and Strengths (CANS).
Submit reports and required paperwork on time.
Maintaining regular communication via e-mail, phone, and in person meetings with community partners to create and sustain community partnerships
Identifying and pursuing opportunities for promoting Our Space and the YAC in the community, including tabling at resource fairs, workshops at local schools and nonprofit organizations, and presentations
Participate in coordinating, planning, and facilitating Our Space community events.
Creating and distributing original content for monthly newsletter, flyers, and infographics

Benefits

3 weeks of paid vacation for F/T employees increasing to 4 weeks of vacation after 2 years of service
2 weeks of sick leave for F/T employees with 2 additional sick days for direct service staff
10 paid holidays per year and 1 Self-Care Anniversary Day each year
99% employer-paid Medical for F/T employees including platinum level Kaiser Permanente insurance, Sutter Health or Anthem options
Dental and Vision Insurance
Long Term Disability insurance up to $9,000 per month, plus $50,000 Life and AD&D insurance. Employees also have the option to purchase additional life insurance at their own cost.
403b Retirement Plan with matching after one year of employment
Professional development and other learning opportunities including unlimited access to over 1,000 behavioral health courses online. Side By Side is a Public Service Loan Forgiveness certified employer
FREE Employee Assistance Program including up to 10 complimentary personal counseling sessions per problem, per year for staff and dependents
Employee recognition program with $500 bonus awards
Employee referral bonus of up to $1,000
Pet Insurance