Youth Peer Specialist

Nexus Family Healing•Eugene, OR

3d•Onsite

About The Position

Nexus Family Healing is looking to add a Youth Peer Specialist to join our newest Youth Psychiatric Residential Treatment facility set to open this summer in Eugene, Oregon! our residential location in Portland, Oregon! Nexus Family Healing is expanding to Eugene, Oregon , with the opening of a new 14-bed psychiatric residential treatment facility (PRTF) set to open this summer! This location is In partnership with the Oregon Health Authority Behavioral Health Division and will serve justice-involved youth ages 12 – 17, experiencing acute emotional concerns, and serious and persistent mental illness. At Nexus Family Healing, we embrace diversity, promote equity, and foster inclusion. As a national mental health organization, we serve a diverse group of youth and families, and we strive for our workforce to support and represent that diversity.

Requirements

High School Diploma or GED
Demonstrated lived experience, coping with adolescent challenges. (Personal experience may include but is not limited to experiencing foster care, residential treatment, juvenile justice or any transferrable or relatable experience to ongoing youth struggles.)
Demonstrated interpersonal maturity and emotional intelligence; ability to create trust and rapport with clients while setting clear, definitive, and healthy boundaries.
Valid driver’s license required and access to reliable transportation is required
Must meet state regulating agency and Home Office driving requirements.
Must have the ability to build strong relationships with diverse individuals or communities and understand their unique needs and challenges.
Must be open to meeting the cultural needs of individuals or communities, considering factors such as language, traditions, and values.
Successfully participate and complete a three-part Nonviolent Crisis Intervention exam and training

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s Degree
Previous experience working with youth who have experienced trauma and/or a mental health crisis.

Responsibilities

Build trusting relationships with youth preparing to transition from high-level care
Assess individual needs and collaborate with care teams to support successful placements
Partner with families, providers, and community resources to prepare and support youth transitions
Contribute to and help implement individualized care plans
Support youth in developing life skills (employment, education, financial literacy, independence)
Connect youth to community resources and remove barriers to achieving personal goals
Maintain consistent communication with care teams and stakeholders
Provide mentorship, guidance, and encouragement to promote independence and self-confidence
Advocate for youth needs and highlight progress to care teams and caregivers
Conduct regular check-ins and share updates to support ongoing success