Peer Leadership Coordinator

Vinfen•Lowell, MA

8d•$48,667 - $48,667•Hybrid

About The Position

The Peer Leadership Coordinator (PLC) works in one of the Youth and Young Adult (YYA) Access Centers (ACs) to coordinate YYA leadership and advocacy activities, conduct engagement activities, and ensure YYA voice and choice is reflected throughout the AC. The PLC functions as a liaison to the YA Leadership Council and is a key member of the AC leadership team alongside the PD, promoting YYA voice and leadership throughout all elements of AC programming and culture.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in human services discipline strongly preferred
Certified Peer Specialist required
Experience as a recipient of services for people with psychiatric conditions as well as being well along in own recovery required
Two to three years working with YYA experiencing co-occurring disorders in addition to psychiatric conditions required
A fully insured vehicle that you will use in the course of daily work and willingness to provide transport to YYA
Ability to form solid connections with YYA with mental health concerns
Knowledge of both the DMH Child Youth and Family and Adult services systems
Willing to use and share personal, practical experience of recovery process and wellness management
All candidates for this position must be at least 21 years of age and have held a valid US driver's license for at least 6 months.
Candidates must be able to successfully pass a CORI, driving record, employment and multi-state background check.
All candidates must be able to become CPR, First Aid certified within two weeks of hire.
Ability to create and maintain supportive, trusting relationships with YYA served by the AC
Knowledge of both the DMH Child Youth and Family and Adult services systems
Ability to liaison between the Leadership Council and Program and organizational Leadership as needed
Skilled in mediation and conflict resolution
Willing to use and share their personal, practical experience of recovery process, wellness management, and the personal effort and commitment required for YYA to have a full and satisfying life in the community
Strong commitments to the right and ability of people served to live, work, have meaningful relationships and receive the resources and supports needed in their community of choice
Knowledge of person-centered, strengths-based, recovery-oriented values, and principles and modalities
Knowledge of Peer Support practices and ethical standards including the Peer Mentor Practice Profile
Ability to learn and use evidence-based practices and approaches
Knowledge of Wellness Recovery Action Planning (WRAP) and other wellness management strategies
Ability to create and maintain supportive, trusting relationships with YYA served by the AC
Commitment to maintain confidentiality of YYA
Knowledge of engagement and participatory planning techniques
Sensitivity to the cultural, religious, ethnic, disability, and gender/gender identity differences of YYA
Knowledge and use of advocacy techniques
Respect for and knowledge of legal, civil, and human rights of YYA.
Knowledge of community and other resources
Ability to work independently as well as a part of a team
Ability to use crisis intervention techniques and relapse prevention techniques
Ability to balance competing priorities
Ability to make independent judgments and decisions
Knowledge of personal computer applications and equipment
Personal, first-hand experience (not just having a friend or family member) being a recipient of the mental health system, which encompasses experiences such as psychiatric inpatient hospitalization, outpatient services/therapy, experience with psychiatric medications, and/or participating in mental health groups in the community. While a formal mental health diagnosis is not required, your involvement with mental health services must be related to your experience with mental health, emotional health and/or trauma resulting in significant life disruption.
Must become a Certified Peer Specialist OR complete “Core Elements of Young Adult Peer Mentoring” training within 6 months of hire. Must become a Certified Peer Specialist within 1 year of hire.
Two years working with YYA experiencing mental health challenges and/or co-occurring disorders required, including coordinating young adult led activities and groups.
A high school diploma or equivalent is required.
CPR required within the first two weeks of hire.
First Aid required within two weeks of hire.
NET required.
GIFT co-trainer required within one year of hire.
Certified Peer Specialist required.

Nice To Haves

Prior experience as a Young Adult Peer Mentor or Certified Peer Specialist strongly preferred.
Preference given to bi-lingual/bi-cultural applicants.
Bachelor's degree preferred.
In some cases, experience may be substituted for academic training.
Certification as Peer Specialist (CPS) in state of service preferred.

Responsibilities

Shares personal experiences; provides non-directive support and works with the YYA (if YYA chooses) to enhance skills of self-direction and empowerment.
Provides outreach and engagement activities that lead to the establishment of a Young Adult (YA) Leadership Council.
As a member of the AC leadership team, partners with the PD to engage in networking, collaboration, and coordination efforts to develop and strengthen relationships with community stakeholders in order to ensure ACs are offering activities and events to meet the needs of YYA in the community.
Acts as staff liaison to the Young Adult Leadership Council, serving in an advisory capacity to the Council and assisting the Council as requested.
Works closely with the YA Leadership Council to ensure that the YYA voice and choice informs all AC programming and is the driver of all AC supports and services.
Coordinates YYA leadership activities within the AC.
Promotes YYA participation in other local and statewide leadership councils, such as the Department of Mental Health (DMH) Statewide Mental Health Planning Council Youth Development Subcommittee.
As a member of the AC leadership team, ensures YYA decision making power is present in all aspects of the AC operation.
Communicates YYA input and feedback to AC PD, and to organizational leadership as needed.
Supports YYA and facilitates and promotes YYA voice in policy and programmatic decisions and service design and improvement to ensure services are relevant.
Coordinates the inclusion of YYA in the interview and hiring of all staff positions.
Arranges trainings/forum in collaboration with the AC Program Director that are based on YYA feedback and are opportunities that include both YYA and staff.
Develops volunteer opportunities through networking efforts for YYA to give back to the community.
Helps YYA in developing supportive relationships and community connections.
Helps YYA in communicating and working effectively with service providers, employers, natural supports, family members, and others to achieve their goals.
Promotes healthy lifestyles and wellness practices including in the area of substance use.
Educates DMH and AC staff around engagement strategies that retain YYA in services.
Provides coaching, guidance, and non-supervisory mentorship to Young Adult Peer Mentor staff to promote professional growth and development.
Helps YYA in developing life skills, finding their voice, and identifying and using their strengths.
Uses Gathering and Inspiring Future Talent, Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP) motivational interviewing, harm reduction, and other evidence informed/based and best practice models as trained.
Promotes discovery and recovery as they use their own lived experience in a purposeful, strength-based way to support YYA.
Inspires hope and future focus in YYA.
Provides social activities for YYA, whether at the AC or in the community.
Attends in-service trainings and staff meetings.
Helps YYA develop self-advocacy skills, in groups or individually.
Helps maximize choices available to YYA as well as their self-determination, and participation and decision-making in the planning, delivery, and evaluation of their services.
Helps YYA link to other community services and peer networks, both in person and virtual, including services and networks for people with co-occurring disorders – including mutual help and peer support groups.
Models effective coping techniques and self-help strategies.
Provides crisis intervention when needed.
Works collaboratively as a cohesive unit with all other AC staff, both within the AC and collaboratively with other ACs, to deliver services under the leadership of the PD.
Performs other related duties, as assigned.

Benefits

A fully funded, employer-sponsored retirement plan that requires no employee contribution as well as an employee-funded 403(b) plan
First-rate Medical, Dental and Vision plans that are open all employees scheduled to work 30 hours per week or more.
Employer-paid Life, Accidental Death & Dismemberment and Long-Term Disability Insurance (no cost to you!)
Employer-paid Short-Term Disability Insurance along with the option to purchase additional, voluntary, Short-Term disability insurance
Flexible Spending Reimbursement Accounts (Health and Dependent care)
Voluntary Term, Whole Life, Accident and Critical Care Insurance
15 days of Vacation per year
11 Paid Holidays
10 Sick Days per year
3 Personal Days per year
Educational Assistance and Remission Programs
$500 Employee Referral Bonus with no annual cap!
Other generous benefits including discounted YMCA memberships, access to discounted movie tickets and more!