Peer Mentor

Boys Town • New Orleans, LA

2d • Onsite

About The Position

Promotes and elevates youth voice and engagement within child welfare and youth-serving programs. Serves as a liaison between youth and program leadership by facilitating youth advisory boards, conducting focus groups, participating in administrative reviews, and providing feedback to improve services and outcomes for youth. Assists youth in identifying resources, developing life skills, and ensuring their perspectives are represented in program development and evaluation.

Requirements

• Knowledge of youth development principles and practices.
• Knowledge of child welfare systems and services.
• Knowledge of community resources available to youth and young adults.
• Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills.
• Presentation and group facilitation skills.
• Active listening and conflict resolution skills.
• Organizational and time management skills.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office applications.
• Ability to effectively engage and build trust with youth from diverse backgrounds.
• Ability to facilitate discussions and encourage youth participation.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and professional boundaries.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Ability to assess youth needs and connect them with appropriate resources.
• Ability to represent youth perspectives in a professional and constructive manner.
• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Minimum 21 years of age required.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in youth advocacy, mentoring, peer support, child welfare, foster care, or related human services work preferred.
• Experience facilitating groups, trainings, or youth engagement activities preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provides safe and effective services
• Adheres to policies related to safety and boundaries with service recipients.
• Attends safety and abuse risk management training as assigned.
• Adheres to procedures related to managing high-risk activities and supervising service recipients.
• Reports suspicious or inappropriate behaviors and policy violations.
• Follows mandated abuse reporting requirements.
• Adheres to policies and procedures related to Medication Administration for service recipients.
• Serves as a peer mentor
• Participates in up to 15 Administrative Reviews per month, or as many as assigned.
• Takes detailed notes during reviews and submit documentation to the Administrative Review Coordinator.
• Provides constructive input and feedback during reviews when appropriate.
• Offers information, referrals, and resources to youth as needed.
• Follows up with youth regarding identified needs and available support services.
• Recruits youth participants for regional Youth Advisory Boards.
• Plans, coordinates, and facilitates Youth Advisory Board meetings and activities.
• Develops leadership opportunities and training initiatives designed to strengthen youth engagement and advocacy.
• Encourages meaningful youth participation in program development and decision-making processes.
• Collaborates with the Statewide Youth Advisory Board to discuss regional concerns, recommendations, and progress.
• Shares youth feedback and recommendations with leadership and stakeholders.
• Assists in advancing statewide youth engagement initiatives.
• Coordinates and facilitates quarterly regional Youth Focus Groups.
• Gathers and documents feedback from participating youth.
• Prepares written summaries and reports of focus group findings.
• Communicates trends, concerns, and recommendations to program leadership.
• Assists with the facilitation of life skills training for youth ages 14-17 in foster care and youth ages 18-21 who are not enrolled in Extended Foster Care (EFC).
• Supports youth in developing skills related to independent living, self-advocacy, education, employment, and community engagement.
• Serves as a role model in carrying out activities and behaviors that reflect the values and principles of the Boys Town mission.

Benefits

• Reduced to no cost visits for services performed by a Boys Town provider at a Boys Town location for employees and their dependents enrolled in medical benefits.
• Low to zero-dollar co-pays on certain maintenance drugs.
• No cost mental health visits to an in-network provider.
• Generous match on their 401K or 401K Roth account.
• Tuition reimbursement.
• Parenting resources from experts.
• Professional development opportunities within the organization.

What This Job Offers

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