MCC Youth Peer Mentor

The Wellspring • Monroe, LA

1d • Hybrid

About The Position

The role of the Peer Support Staff is to promote the inclusion of youth voice in youth programming; lead regional youth advisory board; lead quarterly regional focus groups and participate in Administrative Reviews. This position requires firsthand experience in the child welfare system and flexibility to work non-traditional business hours. The ideal candidate will have knowledge of community, job, financial, and social resources and demonstrate the ability to partner with youth using a strengths-based approach. Preference will be given to candidates who most reflect the racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic status of the majority of members of the neighborhoods being served. The role also requires reliable transportation, a valid driver’s license, and meeting state-required automobile insurance minimums.

Requirements

• Firsthand experience in the child welfare system
• Flexibility to work non-traditional business hours
• Knowledge of community, job, financial, and social resources
• Demonstrates ability to partner with youth using a strengths-based approach
• Reliable transportation
• Valid driver’s license
• Meet state required automobile insurance minimums
• Ability to communicate with, be sensitive to the needs of, and develop and maintain relationships with individuals from various cultural, ethnic and racial backgrounds
• Ability to communicate effectively with internal and external customers in a professional, tactful, and friendly manner
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to record with clarity and promptness
• Good listening skills and the ability to ask appropriate questions
• Maintains poise and self-control even under extreme stress and unexpected crises; handles delicate situations tactfully
• Appropriately assertive even in difficult situations
• Must demonstrate mature and objective, non-judgmental behaviors
• Ability to assess situations both within and outside the client system and determine priorities
• Maintains positive work relationships with other staff, is cooperative and promotes teamwork
• Effective in planning and arranging work responsibilities including determining priorities, managing multiple projects, handling deadlines and changes in priorities
• Ability to identify and use community resources
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, including Word, Outlook, Excel and Power Point
• Maintains personal appearance consistent with agency image
• Ability to work within the purpose, structure and constraints of the Agency and to make suggestions for change in a responsible manner
• Ability to maintain confidentiality with regard to clients and agency business
• Commitment to continued professional growth

Nice To Haves

• Preference will be given to candidates who most reflect the racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic status of the majority of members of the neighborhoods being served

Responsibilities

• Participate in up to 15 Administrative Reviews a month or as many as possible, taking notes, offering suggestions and/or resources, and following up with youth.
• Develop and lead Youth Advisory Boards, including recruitment, coordinating activities, and training opportunities.
• Meet with the statewide Youth Advisory Board as needed to discuss ideas, concerns, and progress reports.
• Coordinate and Lead Quarterly Youth Focus Groups, including written summaries of feedback.
• Assist with the facilitation of Life Skills training to youth in DCFS foster homes or youth not enrolled in EFC.
• Provide peer mentoring to support youth involved in the child welfare foster care system, explaining case plans, court expectations, available services, and accompanying families to court and meetings.
• Offer flexible support options (in-person, virtual, or phone-based).
• Demonstrate a positive attitude, concern, and respect for others.
• Establish personal rapport with clients and maintain case records.
• Track and report required MCC qualitative and quantitative data.
• Report to the MCC Program Coordinator and utilize staff for support.
• Participate in meetings with MCC State staff, MCC State teams, and MCC peer network as requested.
• Participate in agency meetings as required.
• Comply with appropriate program standards and guidelines.
• Complete required agency and funder paperwork in a timely and accurate manner.
• Participate in case review meetings.
• Participate in continued education and personal growth experiences.
• Review professional publications.
• Establish personal and community networks.
• Comply with agency procedures, rules, and regulations.
• Perform and document required collaborative and client contacts.
• Record data into MCC management Information System(s) or other identified database.
• Adhere to all agency and grant confidentiality policies and procedures.
• Gather and document necessary demographic and personal information.
• Document all contacts with or activities on behalf of each client.
• Keep information confidential.
• Communicate effectively, exhibit a willingness to help other staff, demonstrate flexibility, encourage and support others, engage in amenable and cooperative contacts, and give and receive feedback.
• Establish working relationships with sponsoring, advisory, and related service agencies.
• Perform other duties as related to the position as assigned.
• Work non-traditional hours and/or alternate schedule during special projects or to meet agency deadlines.

Benefits

• Orientation
• Initial 40 hours Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault as required by Wellspring
• Initial and ongoing MCC training in the areas of protective factors that promote child wellbeing, individual and community level trauma and its impact, best practices in preventing child abuse and neglect, and disparities and disproportionalities in public systems
• Trust-Based Relational Intervention® and Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACES) training
• 40 hours continuing education yearly
• On-going in-service workshops, conferences and self-study
• Monthly Agency Staff meetings, program delivery meetings and program area meetings

What This Job Offers

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