Peer Education Specialist

Planned Parenthood of Western Pennsylvania • Pittsburgh, PA

3d • Onsite

About The Position

Planned Parenthood Western Pennsylvania (PPWP) is seeking a compassionate person to work for a mission-driven organization as a full-time Peer Education Specialist in our Education Department. The Peer Education Specialist implements Planned Parenthood of Western Pennsylvania’s (PPWP) 27-year peer education program, Peer Helpers, a long-term teen education/mentoring program to reduce teen pregnancy and ensure school completion through structured education programming, peer helping, recreation, and community service. The Peer Education Specialist builds relationships with youth over the course of a student’s middle and high school career and nurtures youth empowerment by engaging students in important conversations around topics like decision-making, communication, relationships, identity, gender, personal values, consent, contraception, STD prevention, etc.

Requirements

• Highschool Diploma or equivalent
• Minimum of two years’ experience and/or training working with underserved youth and/or risk-reduction programs.
• Receive and maintain current Pennsylvania Act 33/34 clearances.
• Good organizational skills
• Work under pressure
• Communicate professionally effectively in person, by phone, and email.
• Able to perform extensive standing without breaks and walking during the day.
• Punctual and regular attendance is an essential responsibility of each employee. Employees are expected to report to work as scheduled, on time and prepared to start working. Employees also are expected to remain at work for their entire work schedule

Nice To Haves

• Strong knowledge of and who have a good standing with local communities with our education programming.

Responsibilities

• Fosters a positive environment to serve as a resource in teaching sex ed topics to varying audiences in an age-appropriate, trauma-informed way.
• Organizes, develops and implements lessons and activities based on sexuality topics of the Peer Education Program (i.e., relationships, consent, STIs, contraception) to engage youth in the classroom using curricula tailored to the specific needs of the community.
• Demonstrates effective teaching and presentation techniques with health classes inside Peer Helpers schools and follows and implements PPWP’s “Life Skills” curriculum (instruction to comprehensive sexuality education series).
• Encourages and engages Peer Helpers by providing them with opportunities, activities and support to develop, apply and share their leadership skills with the community, which includes implementing (planning, organizing, teaching and reporting) in accordance with goals outlined by funding sources and supervisors.
• Participates in community education and outreach events as assigned, with particular emphasis on Peer Education and Life Skills.
• Cultivates and maintains a respectful and supportive safe space for staff and students to work and learn healthy behaviors.
• Engages in respectful, professional communication with all teens, parents and school/community leaders from diverse communities and strong public speaking skills. Able to resolve conflicts quickly when they arise.
• Remains current and reads literature in the field concerning peer education, peer mentoring, adolescent development, human sexuality, family planning, and behavior change/risk-reduction.
• Attends workshops and/or seminars on peer education, teen pregnancy, human sexuality and family planning as assigned to contribute towards the mission of the program.
• Provides outstanding customer service and are expected to be available throughout the workday for communications with youth outside of their classroom in-school-time. Maintains regular communication Manager on students and curriculum.
• Assist in completion of departmental goals, including diversity and inclusion; complete administrative paperwork and other duties as assigned in a timely and accurate manner.

Benefits

• Equal employment opportunity employer
• Commitment to maintaining a non-discriminatory work environment
• Commitment to creating a dynamic work environment that values diversity and inclusion, respect and integrity, customer focus, and innovation.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED