Support Specialist - Kinship Peer Mentor

YMCA of San Diego County•San Diego, CA

3d•$22 - $24•Remote

About The Position

The Support Specialist - Kinship Peer Mentor is responsible for providing program assistance, guidance, crisis support, and administrative support to Youth & Family Services projects. This position will assist weekly with participant engagement, resource navigation, and participant group while using appropriate research methods to conduct duties, as well as, lead group exercises, develop professional rapport with participants, and monitor participant progress throughout the duration of the program. The Support Specialist supports participants through a human centered and trauma informed approach, in addition they are engaging, culturally responsive and aware of the diverse needs of various cultures, races, ethnicities and populations. This position's contract has an end date of 6/30/2027 with the potential for extension. The Kinship Support Program serves grandparents and other relatives raising children in the family in San Diego County. We provide navigation/case management, support groups, respite care, emergency funds, and family events. Our goal is to make sure caregivers have the resources and support needed for the kinship children in their care.

Requirements

High school diploma preferred
Must be 18 years of age or older
Minimum two years’ relevant experience required
Basic computer knowledge and skills

Nice To Haves

Lived experience as a kinship caregiver preferred
Familiarity with life experiences common among the transition aged youth population preferred
Experience with Independent Living Skills issues (financial aid, college admissions, GED preparation, housing, transportation) preferred
Familiar with the operations of federal grants preferred
Familiar with community resources and referral processes preferred
Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to quickly build rapport with others
Must be an adult role model with the ability to effectively set limits and function in crisis-oriented and high stress situations
Must be able to work independently and as part of a team
Must be self-aware, flexible, adaptable, and teachable
Ability to navigate community resources
Visual and auditory ability to respond to critical incidents and the physical ability to act swiftly in an emergency situation
Ability to adequately observe participants’ activities, enforce safety regulations, and apply appropriate policies and procedures
Must possess the ability to lead and interact in group activities and perform related physical skills
Ability to work effectively with others in alignment with the YMCA 4 Core Values; Models the 4 Core Values in all aspects of position responsibilities

Responsibilities

Provide administrative and intervention support to program staff; prepare agendas and activities for groups, assist with documentation and data collection, support various meetings and activities, facilitate groups and lead activities, provide support for the collection and analysis of data required for reporting purposes
Utilize shared life experience expertise to advance program interventions and participant satisfaction
Identify and navigate complex community resources and referral processes
Apply mental health first aid training to participants in crisis
Engage in recruitment and outreach activities and advocacy strategies
Provide aftercare, follow-up, and stabilization support services to participants
Maintain engaging, professional relationships with participants
Individually meet with participants, assess the need for and provide supportive services, and apply designed curriculum as needed
Perform other administrative tasks as assigned and assist with maintaining proper document storage and auditing
Participate in and attend all required staff meetings, trainings, YMCA staff development events, and appropriate agency-wide committees