Youth Safe Spaces Youth Peer Advocate (37216)

ST JOHNS COMMUNITY SERVICES • City of Ithaca, NY

6d • $21 - $22 • Onsite

About The Position

St. John’s Community Services is hiring Youth Peer Advocates to support youth ages 12–24 participating in its Youth Safe Spaces Program. The role helps create a safe, supportive, and youth-centered environment. Drawing on personal experience, empathy, and a commitment to positive youth development, the Peer Advocate engages youth in meaningful activities, connects them with community resources, and supports their personal growth and well-being. The role works collaboratively with program staff, community partners, and youth participants to promote inclusion, empowerment, self-advocacy, and community engagement.

The organization is seeking one full-time and two part-time employees. Daytime flexibility, evening availability, and weekend hours are required. The listed hiring range is $21–$22 per hour, depending on location and experience. Employees must meet applicable health certificate and background screening requirements, including criminal background, Justice Center Staff Exclusion List, and State Central Registry checks. Reasonable accommodations may be made for qualified individuals with disabilities.

Requirements

• Ability to work effectively with youth from diverse backgrounds.
• Commitment to creating inclusive, person-centered environments.
• Flexible schedule, including availability to work evenings and weekends.
• Ability to stand, walk, lift, and actively participate in program activities.
• Ability to travel within the community as needed.
• Ability to transport youth in agency-approved vehicles if required.
• Obtain a valid health certificate when required by SJCS or the current funding authority.
• Meet SJCS and funding authority requirements for criminal background, Justice Center Staff Exclusion List, and State Central Registry checks.

Nice To Haves

• Prior experience working with youth and familiarity with Positive Youth Development.
• Current Youth Peer Advocate Credential through Families Together.
• Young people ages 18–29 with lived experience in youth-serving systems, mental health services, or other relevant experience.
• Youth Peer Advocate credential, provisional credential, or pursuit of credentialing; candidates may file a provisional credential application within three months of employment.

Responsibilities

• Engage youth and facilitate groups and activities.
• Model healthy coping and connection.
• Navigate community resources with youth.
• Help create a safe, inclusive, and welcoming environment.
• Provide peer support, encouragement, and mentorship using a strengths-based approach.
• Assist with planning, organizing, and facilitating youth-led activities, workshops, and events.
• Encourage youth participation in program activities and community engagement opportunities.
• Help maintain a clean, organized, and safe environment.
• Promote Positive Youth Development principles in all interactions.
• Assist with outreach efforts to engage youth and increase program participation.
• Support transportation, food distribution, and other program activities as needed.
• Support reporting by keeping accurate program records.
• Follow policies, confidentiality standards, and local, state, and federal regulations.
• Participate in required training, including credentialing as a Youth Peer Advocate through Families Together.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, vision, short-term disability, and other benefits and company contributions.
• Retirement plans.
• Company-paid long-term disability.
• Connectivity reimbursements for some employees.
• PTO, vacation, and sick time off.
• Flexibility.
• Family culture.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed