Youth Navigator

General Information

Position Title

Youth Navigator

Location:

Main Office

Date

August 15, 2024

Reporting Relationship(s)

Manager

Hours

35 hours/week

Main hours - 8:00 am - 3:30 pm, Monday - Friday, Some evening and weekend hours are involved providing training sessions and/or shift coverage.

FLSA Classification

Non-Exempt

Salary range - $ 24.73 - $ 25.27

General Summary

The Youth Navigators will play a crucial role in supporting young individuals as they navigate the mental health and social services systems. These positions are designed for individuals who identify as 'Peers,' meaning they have lived experience with mental health challenges, substance use, or other relevant life experiences. The Youth Navigators will use their unique perspectives to provide empathetic, culturally competent, and effective support to youth in need. The selected candidates will be required to undergo training to become Credentialed Youth Peer Advocates (YPA), Credentialed Family Peer Advocates (FPA), New York Certified Peer Specialists (NYCPS), or Certified Recovery Peer Advocates (CRPA).

Duties And Responsibilities

• Assessment & Support: Conduct assessments to identify the needs of youth seeking support and develop personalized action plans.
• Advocacy & Empowerment: Advocate for youth and empower them to take charge of their mental health journey by providing them with the necessary tools, resources, and referrals.
• Cultural Competency: Utilize cultural understanding and sensitivity to connect with diverse youth populations effectively.
• Referral Assistance: Help youth access mental health and community services by providing appropriate referrals and follow-up support.
• Training & Certification: Participate in training programs to obtain and maintain required certifications (YPA, FPA, NYCPS, or CRPA).
• Collaboration: Work closely with other team members, community organizations, and service providers to ensure comprehensive support for youth.
• Engage youth: in group activities and lead group sessions.
  
  

Education Requirements

High School Diploma preferred.

Previous Experience Requirement

• Previous experience working with youth in a mental health or social services setting.
• Existing certification as a Youth Peer Advocate, Family Peer Advocate, Certified Peer Specialist, or Recovery Peer Advocate preferred.
  
  

Knowledge and Skills Needed to Perform Effectively in this Position

• Peer Experience: Candidates must identify as 'Peers,' meaning they have personal lived experience with mental health challenges, substance use, or other relevant life experiences.
• Willingness to Train: Must be willing to undergo training to become a Credentialed Youth Peer Advocate, Credentialed Family Peer Advocate, New York Certified Peer Specialist, or Certified Recovery Peer Advocate.
• Empathy & Advocacy: Demonstrated ability to provide empathetic support and advocacy for youth in need.
• Cultural Competency: Ability to engage with and support youth from diverse cultural backgrounds.
• Problem-Solving Skills: Strong problem-solving abilities and the capacity to think critically in challenging situations.
• Communication Skills: Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Team Player: Ability to work effectively as part of a team and collaborate with other professionals
  
  

Additional Requirements

• Some evening and weekend hours are involved providing training sessions and/or shift coverage
• Reliable transportation to various locations across the county
• This position description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying this position. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by their supervisor
• This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an 'at will' employment relationship
• All candidates will be required to complete a background check
  
  

Physical Dimensions (Job-related physical abilities an individual needs to possess in order to perform the job in a satisfactory manner)

• All requirements are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities
  
  

This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an 'at will' employment relationship.

Contact Community Services, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or protected veteran status.