allcove Youth Peer Support Specialist

Community Health Trust of Pajaro Valley•Watsonville, CA

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

The allcove™ Youth Peer Support Specialist builds meaningful connections with young people, provides peer-to-peer support, and engages the community to increase awareness, access, and participation in allcove services. This role serves as an advocate and go-to resource for youth, connecting them with tools for physical and mental health, assistance with school or work, and skill-building workshops. The specialist amplifies youth voices within the care coordination model through communication with the care team and identifies and shares resources applicable to youth needs, addressing barriers to accessibility by delivering information in a youth-friendly language and format. allcove creates integrated mental health centers for young people ages 12 to 25 to access support for mild to moderate needs, providing services in mental health, physical health, substance use, peer support, family support and supported education and employment. The centers are reflective of the unique youth culture of each geographic community being served and become youth’s independent space for care. Each center proactively works in the community to decrease the stigma surrounding youth mental health, encourage early help-seeking, and increase the knowledge, understanding, and importance of youth mental health and wellbeing.

Requirements

Personal experience with mental health challenges, recovery, or navigating support systems; ability to appropriately share lived experience in a professional setting.
Effectively engage and support youth and young adults ages 12–25 across diverse backgrounds, identities, and needs.
Ability to provide individualized peer support, connect youth to mental health and community resources, and advocate for youth voice and empowerment.
Familiarity with the Watsonville community and the experiences, strengths, and needs of local youth and families.
Understanding of the diverse experiences and systemic barriers affecting youth in the community, including LGBTQ+, BIPOC, juvenile justice-involved, and undocumented young people.
Strong interpersonal, communication, outreach, and public speaking skills, with the ability to engage youth, families, peers, and community partners.
Ability to establish trust, maintain appropriate professional boundaries, and create a welcoming, safe, and nonjudgmental environment.
Ability to recognize when additional support is needed and appropriately connect youth to crisis services and other resources.
Demonstrated ability to assess situations, solve problems, make sound decisions, and respond flexibly.
Ability to recognize personal wellness needs, practice healthy coping strategies, and maintain appropriate boundaries while providing peer support.
Ability to work effectively independently and as part of a team and maintain positive working relationships with staff, partners, contractors, and the Youth Advisory Group.
Must be 18 years or older.
Lived mental health experience.
High school diploma or equivalent.
Bilingual preferred, English and Spanish
Ability to work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends.
Valid CA driver’s license and insurance.
Ability to communicate and write clearly and professionally.
Demonstrated organizational and time management skills, accountability, reliability, and punctuality.
Ability to work independently and show initiative, as well as be part of an interdisciplinary team.
Basic computer skills: experience with Microsoft Office applications.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor's degree preferred.
Strong ties to the Watsonville community or demonstrated experience working with and understanding the community, including its unique needs, priorities, and perspectives.

Responsibilities

Support young people ages 12–25 in accessing and engaging with allcove Center by creating a welcoming, inclusive, and youth-friendly environment; providing peer support and mentorship; connecting youth to resources; and promoting youth voice, empowerment, and community connection.
Provide initial orientation and ongoing support to ensure youth feel welcomed, included, and comfortable access center services.
Assist youth with forms, intake questionnaires, and initial screenings or assessments as needed.
Serve as a consistent point of contact, providing peer support, coaching, mentorship, and encouragement.
Build trust and rapport through shared, lived mental health experience and a strength-based approach.
Support youth with goal setting and identifying opportunities for personal growth, confidence, and self-esteem.
Connect and encourage youth to access appropriate support, resources, and services.
Lead or co-facilitate workshops and youth-centered activities.
Conduct outreach through schools, community events, presentations, tabling, center tours, and speaking engagements to promote allcove services and resources.
Engage with the Youth Advisory Group and support the planning and implementation of meetings, events, and outreach activities.
Represent and promote peer perspective within the center and broader community.
Develop collaborative relationships with community agencies and organizations to support youth empowerment, wellness, outreach, and programming.
Collaborate on communication and marketing materials for program activities.
Complete required training related to mental health, diversity, outreach, and inclusion.
Maintain accurate records and documentation and participate in data collection.
Help ensure youth and center resources are accessible, organized, and available.