PEER MENTOR

Goodwill Industries of Southern New Jersey and Phi•Philadelphia, PA

1d•$22 - $22•Onsite

About The Position

The Peer Mentor will work one-on-one with First Step Act/reSTARt program participants to build trust, provide motivation, and offer guidance on decision-making, job searching, and building social capital. Additionally, Peer Mentors will work with participants to learn crucial life skills to support them in becoming self-sufficient, responsible, and productive community members. The position is a member of the Mission Services team. This is grant-funded position, approximately 5-7 hours per week.

Requirements

Must possess professional etiquette.
Knowledge of current best practices in the delivery of re-entry services, and acceptance of Goodwill's Philosophy Concerning People Served.
The ability to interpret human behavior, and basic knowledge of effective behavior management techniques.
Sound professional judgment, adequate to assist in formulating realistic re-entry plans.
Demonstrate strong written and verbal communication skills, including public speaking, and effectively engage employers, participants, and stakeholders.
Thorough knowledge of designated service areas, principles of reentry and Peer Mentoring, principles of customer service, and all grant requirements and regulations.
Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing, with staff, partners, funders, and the community served.
Must have intermediate knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite and Google Programs.
Must possess strong customer service skills and be able to work with internal and external customers.
Vision and hearing corrected to within normal limits.
Ability to perform light or medium duty work, including occasional bending, stooping, stretching, pushing, and pulling for the duration of your work time.
Ability to carry up to 15 lbs. occasionally (material handling equipment will be used to minimize effort when practical).
Must follow company policies and safety procedures and assure that customers/clients/staff under their supervision follow the same.
Access to dependable transportation, which can be used in the course of his/her job.
Must have an operating telephone, so that he/she may be contacted quickly by Goodwill and clients when necessary.
Self-starter with excellent anticipation skills, follow up, dependability, and sense of urgency about getting results.
Ability to engage in prolonged sitting, standing and/or walking.
Ability to work well under pressure, adapt to unexpected events, prioritize and multitask in a deadline driven environment.
High School Diploma or equivalency, Lived experience with the criminal justice system including personal experience as a formerly incarcerated individual required.
A First Step Act/ReSTARt participant is eligible to become a Peer Mentor when they have reached their second quarter post-exit from the First Step Act/ReSTARt program.

Nice To Haves

Bilingual in Spanish is a plus.
Ability to work a flexible schedule, including nights and weekends.

Responsibilities

Follow all Goodwill policies and safety procedures.
Provide support to participants regarding work-related issues as a part of the participant’s reentry plan.
Connect program participants to community resources and assist them in building natural supports.
Meet with program participants on a regularly occurring basis as agreed upon by the Peer Mentor and participant which aligns with established program procedures.
Provide the participant with support and guidance in the areas of employment, education and life skills.
Attend quarterly Peer Mentoring events scheduled by Goodwill.
Serve as a role model of positive behavior.
Serve as an advocate for the interests, needs, and rights of the participant.
Serve as a liaison for participant feedback to the service navigator and program manager.
Meet regularly with the service navigator and/or program manager to provide updates.
Maintain confidentiality of the participant and maintain appropriate and professional relationships with the participant.
Coordinate prosocial activity for the participant.
Ability to create and deliver interactive Peer Mentoring activities.
Ability to develop and maintain positive working relationships with our partners, other staff, funders, and community members.
Ensures that information and files are maintained in various formats in accordance with applicable laws, standards, and regulations.
Responsible for other duties as assigned or identified, for the benefit of Goodwill, Mission Services, or Peer Mentor Program.