Young Adult Peer Mentor

Vinfen • Lowell, MA

3d

About The Position

The Young Adult Peer Mentor (YAPM) supports youth and young adults (YYA) in engaging with services, supports, and community activities; promotes self-determination; and helps shift decision-making to the YYA. The mentor supports life transitions—including education and vocational pursuits, relationship changes, housing, and other transitions to adult roles—in alignment with each YYA’s goals. The role welcomes new YYA to the Access Center (AC), encourages participation in AC activities, and provides ongoing engagement and peer support.

The YAPM provides individual mentoring, facilitates peer support groups, helps YYA identify goals and access services and community resources, and supports development of life skills, self-advocacy, wellness, and positive employment behaviors. The mentor uses lived experience purposefully and strengths-based, and applies practices such as motivational interviewing, harm reduction, and Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP), as trained. The position works collaboratively with AC staff and community partners under the leadership of the AC Program Director.

Vinfen is a nonprofit health and human services organization established in 1977. It provides community-based services in Massachusetts and Connecticut and employs 3,500 people across more than 550 sites. The position requires driving and substantial physical activity, including standing, walking, climbing, assisting clients with daily living tasks, and lifting at least 25 pounds. Pay is $21.74 per hour.

Requirements

• Personal, firsthand experience as a recipient of the mental health system; a formal diagnosis is not required, but the experience must relate to mental health, emotional health, or trauma resulting in significant life disruption.
• One year of experience working with youth and young adults.
• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Must complete the Core Elements of Young Adult Peer Mentoring training within six months of hire or become a Certified Peer Specialist; must become a Certified Peer Specialist within one year of hire.
• Certified Peer Specialist credential required within 12 months of hire.
• CPR certification required within two weeks of hire.
• First Aid certification required within two weeks of hire.
• NET certification required.
• Valid driver’s license required at employment; must be at least 21 years old, have held a valid U.S. driver’s license for at least six months, pass a driving background check, and maintain a safe driving record. If using a personal vehicle, must maintain adequate insurance.
• Ability to stand, walk, bend, kneel, stoop, crouch, crawl, and climb; lift at least 25 pounds using proper technique or a two-person lift; operate a computer and office equipment; sit, reach, climb stairs, and maneuver through narrow spaces or hallways; assist clients with daily living tasks; and communicate with clients, staff, and external representatives.
• Ability to use personal computer applications and equipment.
• Competence in using the Young Adult Peer Mentoring Practice Profile.
• Knowledge of the DMH Child, Youth and Family and Adult services systems.
• Ability to help YYA participate in service planning to meet their expressed goals.
• Skill in mediation and conflict resolution.
• Willingness to use and share personal practical experience of recovery, wellness management, and the effort and commitment required for a satisfying life in the community.
• Strong commitment to the right and ability of people served to live and work in their communities of choice, have meaningful relationships, and receive needed resources and supports.
• Knowledge of person-centered, strengths-based, recovery-oriented values, principles, and modalities; peer support practices and ethical standards; engagement and participatory planning techniques; advocacy techniques; community resources; and YYA legal, civil, and human rights.
• Ability to learn and use evidence-based approaches; create and maintain supportive, trusting relationships; maintain confidentiality; use crisis intervention and relapse prevention techniques; balance competing priorities; make independent judgments and decisions; and work independently and as part of a team.
• Sensitivity to cultural, religious, ethnic, disability, and gender and gender-identity differences.

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor’s degree in a human services discipline preferred; in some cases, experience may substitute for academic training.
• Bilingual and bicultural applicants are encouraged to apply.

Responsibilities

• Work with YYA, when chosen, to develop self-direction and empowerment.
• Share personal experiences and provide non-directive support, coaching, and modeling to improve engagement and help YYA identify and access services, providers, recovery tools, and resources.
• Provide one-to-one peer mentoring to 5–10 YYA using the Young Adult Peer Mentoring Practice Profile.
• Staff the Access Center, engage YYA during drop-in hours, support participation in activities and events, and welcome and orient YYA to available services in collaboration with staff.
• Facilitate regular peer support groups on topics relevant to YYA in a nonjudgmental, open, and mutual environment.
• Assist the Peer Leadership Coordinator and other staff in recruiting for and supporting the Young Adult Leadership Council.
• Collaborate with staff to plan events and training opportunities based on YYA and community needs.
• Conduct outreach and marketing to inform YYA and community stakeholders about the program and its services, including direct outreach and creating and distributing marketing materials.
• Attend community events and activities to engage YYA and explain supports available through the Access Center.
• Assist Access Center leadership, clinicians, and TIP Facilitators in identifying and accessing services and service providers that will benefit YYA.
• Help YYA develop supportive relationships and community connections.
• Promote healthy lifestyles and wellness practices, including addressing substance use.
• Support the development of self-sufficiency and positive employment behaviors.
• Help YYA identify needs and goals related to education, employment, family relationships, spirituality, and social recreation, and ensure these are incorporated into service planning.
• Help YYA communicate and work effectively with providers, employers, natural supports, family members, and others to achieve their goals.
• Support YYA in developing life skills, finding their voice, and identifying and using their strengths.
• Use Gathering and Inspiring Future Talent, WRAP, motivational interviewing, harm reduction, and other evidence-informed or best-practice models, as trained.
• Use lived experience purposefully and in a strengths-based way to promote discovery, recovery, hope, and future focus.
• Attend in-service training and staff meetings.
• Help YYA develop self-advocacy skills individually and in groups.
• Serve as a bridge between child/young-adult-serving and adult mental health service systems on behalf of YYA.
• Maximize YYA’s choices, self-determination, and participation in decisions about service planning, delivery, and evaluation.
• Model effective coping techniques and self-help strategies, and provide crisis intervention when needed.
• Collaborate with Access Center staff and other area Access Centers to deliver services under the leadership of the Access Center Program Director.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Fully funded 401(a) employer-sponsored retirement plan requiring no employee contribution and an employee-funded 403(b) plan.
• Medical, dental, and vision plans for employees scheduled to work at least 30 hours per week, with an employer contribution toward medical insurance.
• Employer-paid life, accidental death and dismemberment, and long-term disability insurance.
• Employer-paid short-term disability insurance for employees who qualify.
• Flexible spending reimbursement accounts for health and dependent care.
• Voluntary term life, whole life, accident, critical illness, and hospital indemnity insurance.
• Paid time off for employees scheduled to work at least 20 hours per week.

What This Job Offers

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