Peer Support Worker (Community Outreach Worker I)

University of Maryland•Baltimore, MD

7d•$41,323 - $43,000•Onsite

About The Position

The EMBRACE Initiative at the University of Maryland, Baltimore has an exciting opportunity for a dedicated, compassionate, and team-oriented Peer Support Worker (Community Outreach Worker I). The selected candidate will apply lived experience, relationship-building skills, and community engagement strategies to support justice-involved and at-risk youth and their families. This position will serve as the primary liaison between The EMBRACE Initiative and partner organizations/agencies, assisting with outreach, program facilitation, mentoring, family engagement, and resource coordination. The Peer Support Worker will work closely with youth participants, caregivers, Parent Navigators, and community partners to promote program participation, positive youth development, and successful outcomes. Serve as the primary liaison between The EMBRACE Initiative and HeartSmiles to support coordinated service delivery. Conduct outreach and engagement activities to recruit and retain youth participants. Build trusting relationships with youth and families to encourage program participation and success. Collaborate with Parent Navigators to support family engagement and wraparound service delivery. This full-time, contractual position will report to the Program Director.

Requirements

High-school diploma or GED.
None (Experience)
Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing.
Ability to establish and effective working relationships.
Ability to operate computers and other office equipment.
Ability to write reports and maintain records.
Ability to work in extreme weather conditions.
Ability to perform extensive standing and walking.
Ability to handle sensitive and confidential matters with discretion and tact.
Ability to interact with the public, health care providers, community organizations, and social service agencies.
Ability to maintain poise and courtesy under pressure.
Possess a valid Maryland Non-commercial Class C or Commercial Class B Driver's License (CDL).

Nice To Haves

Lived experience with justice-involved and at-risk youth and their families.
Experience with community engagement strategies.
Experience as a primary liaison between an initiative and partner organizations/agencies.
Experience assisting with outreach, program facilitation, mentoring, family engagement, and resource coordination.
Experience working closely with youth participants, caregivers, Parent Navigators, and community partners.
Experience promoting program participation, positive youth development, and successful outcomes.
Experience serving as a primary liaison between an initiative and HeartSmiles to support coordinated service delivery.
Experience conducting outreach and engagement activities to recruit and retain youth participants.
Experience building trusting relationships with youth and families to encourage program participation and success.
Experience collaborating with Parent Navigators to support family engagement and wraparound service delivery.
30 college credits being equivalent to one year of experience.

Responsibilities

Recruits a client base within the community by identifying, locating, interviewing, and screening individuals who may be appropriate for the program.
Provides general information to individuals and families on program objectives and services; eligibility requirements and benefits; confidentiality of information etc. Distributes informational materials and literature.
Conducts visual inspection of the physical condition of the client`s house to identify factors that may be detrimental to maintaining a safe, healthy, and comfortable living environment.
Serves as a liaison between the client and community resources including department staff, City, State, and Federal social services agencies.
Schedules clients for appointments with health care providers, reminds them of pending appointments, and contacts them to inquire into reasons for missed appointments. Escorts clients to various appointments to ensure compliance and provide support.
Assists with client retention by following up on all contacts for continued progress assessment and locating those clients who have moved or lost contact with the program.
Assists with the facilitation of the clinic process by greeting clients and making sure that they are registered to be seen.
Assists with planning, organizing, and implementing community special events such as health fairs, workshops etc.
Participates in staff meeting and conferences. Reports on community outreach activities including problems and concerns.
Prepares written reports and maintains records of outreach contacts and activities.
Updates information in database from various data forms collected.
Maintains a good working relationship with all members of the community.