Youth Peer Support Specialist

Join our Team as a Youth Peer Support Specialist

Are you passionate about helping your peers overcome their mental health and life challenges? Do you have firsthand experience with mental health, addiction/recovery, incarceration/juvenile justice, Oregon Youth Authority, foster care, education, or LGBTQ communities? If so, we want YOU to join our team at Youth Era as a Youth Peer Support Specialist!

Youth Era values diversity and strives to expand representation at all levels of the workforce. We welcome applications from BIPOC, women, people with disabilities, members of the LGBTQ community, and veterans.

We strongly encourage applicants to provide a cover letter as it allows them to showcase their personality, passion, and specific qualifications for the position they are applying for.

Research shows that women and BIPOC individuals are often hesitant to apply for positions unless they feel confident they can fulfill every task outlined in the job description. At our organization, our priority is to find the most qualified candidate for the job, and that individual may come from a less conventional background. We recognize the value of diverse experiences and perspectives, and we're committed to considering any equivalent combination of knowledge, skills, education, and experience to meet the minimum qualifications.

About this Position:

* Position Title: Youth Peer Support Specialist

* Compensation Range: $20.00-22.00 per hour (Depending on experience)

* Offered Benefits: Medical, Vision, and Dental coverage comprehensive benefits and PTO package

* Work Schedule: 40 hrs/wk (hours may vary)

* Position Type: 1.0 FTE, Full-time hourly (non-exempt)

* Location: Medford, OR (Youth Era Drop In Center)

The youth peer support specialist (YPSS) is responsible for providing peer support services to youth participants ages 14-25 within the Youth Advisory Council. This position involves building meaningful connections with young adults and assisting in needs identification, solution brainstorming, and self-advocacy at all levels. By serving as a role model and demonstrating resilience and advocacy skills, this position empowers youth to take control of their lives and build positive community connections.

This is an exciting opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of young people and be part of a passionate and dynamic team dedicated to youth leadership and empowerment. Join us, and let's work together to create a brighter future for our youth!

In this role, you’ll get to:

• Build meaningful connections with young people through trust, empathy, and respect;
• Provide non-judgmental and confidential peer support to young people who may be experiencing mental health challenges or difficult life transitions;
• Assist young people in identifying their strengths, interests, and goals and help them develop a plan to achieve them;
• Facilitate group support sessions that promote peer connections, social skills, and emotional regulation;
• Organize and execute additional meetings or communication regarding support, resources, and crisis intervention as may apply;
• Provide culturally responsive assistance to each participant
• Empower young people to advocate for themselves, set goals (using The 40 Developmental Assets), and implement achievable steps towards reaching them;
• Network and refer community-based resources, support, and opportunities;
• Collaborate with other Youth Era staff and community partners to provide comprehensive and culturally responsive support to young people;
• Participate in ongoing training and professional development to enhance your knowledge and skills in peer support.

Key Skills:

• Excellent interpersonal skills, including communication and active listening.
• Ability to work effectively with individuals from diverse backgrounds and cultures.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a team.
• Ability to build and sustain collaborative working relationships with staff, supervisor, and others as appropriate.
• Willingness to address and work to eliminate personal biases and prejudices.
• Have a strong desire to make a positive impact on the lives of young people
• Willing and have the capacity to share your lived experience in a way that engages, inspires, and validates the experiences of youth in this program
• willing to continuously learn and enhance their skills through training, educational opportunities, professional networks, and keeping up-to-date with relevant publications.
• Willingness to address and work to eliminate personal biases and prejudices.
• Excellent advocacy, public speaking, problem-solving skills, and organizational skills.
• Ability and willingness to learn about youth culture and the organization's history, mission, demographics, programs, etc. in order to persuasively articulate how Youth Era distinguishes itself from peer organizations.
• Proficiency in the use of computers, their routine software applications (i.e. Microsoft Office, Word, and Excel), and Google applications (i.e. Gmail, Hangouts, and Google Calendar).

Must Haves:

• Identification as a peer with lived experience in youth/young adult-serving systems (i.e. mental health care, addiction/recovery, juvenile justice, Oregon Youth Authority, foster care), OR experience supporting a family member.
• Understanding of peer-support, youth advocacy, and the youth movement and the ability to discuss it intelligently with professionals and the public.
• Familiarity with and understanding of the Youth Bill of Rights and support principles, youth and young adult culture, and issues affecting families (i.e. mental health, juvenile justice, child welfare, etc.) across the country.
• Hold a Peer Support Specialist certification from a State approved training program, OR be willing and able to become certified upon hire.
• Candidates for this position must have reliable transportation and a valid driver's license with an acceptable driving record.
• Employee is required to maintain insurance on their vehicle in accordance with Oregon law.
• Ability to travel and willingness to work evenings and weekends as required
• Willingness to update job knowledge by participating in educational opportunities, reading professional publications, maintaining professional networks, and attending trainings.

If you're ready to make a positive impact on the lives of young people and contribute to a supportive and compassionate organization, we would love to hear from you. Apply now and be a part of our mission to empower youth in our community!

We are accepting applications until the position is filled.

About Youth Era

Youth ERA is an Oregon-based non-profit that creates lasting positive change in the lives of young people and the systems that serve them. By uniting a diverse collective of young adults and organizations around innovative solutions, Youth Era impacts thousands each year. The work we do is fueled by a deep sense of dedication to our staff, the young people we serve, and the system partners we collaborate with, who give their time and voices to empower young lives and improve our communities.

Every day, our team creates positive change in countless ways. Whether we're providing one-on-one support to a young person in need, developing programs and resources that help young people thrive, or working with system partners to create change at a broader level, we're driven by our mission to empower and uplift the next generation. Join us and be part of the change!

Our Benefits

* We offer 100% employer-paid comprehensive medical, dental, and vision group health insurance.

* Enjoy 12 paid holidays, including your birthday!

* Take advantage of our 403b retirement plan.

* Access our employee assistance program.

* Generous paid time off plan.

* Professional development assistance.

Application Process

At Youth ERA, we take our hiring process seriously to ensure we find the right candidate for the job. Our interview process typically consists of two stages: an initial phone interview, followed by a secondary Zoom interview with the hiring supervisors. However, the process may be subject to change based on management's decision, and in some cases, an onsite meet and greet may be required to make a final decision.

We appreciate your interest in joining our team at Youth ERA. For more information about our organization, please visit our website at www.youthera.org.

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement

At Youth ERA, we are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all our employees and applicants for employment. We strictly prohibit any form of discrimination or harassment based on race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.

This policy applies to all aspects of employment, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training. We believe in creating a workplace that values diversity, promotes inclusivity, and respects the rights of all individuals.

Trauma-Informed Care Statement

At Youth ERA, we're committed to providing trauma-informed care to youth in our community, and this commitment also extends to our staff. We believe that by prioritizing trauma-informed care in all aspects of our organization, we can create a workplace that's supportive, inclusive, and empowering for everyone. With this mindset, we aim to grow our team's resilience so we can, in turn, provide the best possible care, support, and experience to our youth participants.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $19.00 - $22.00 per hour

Expected hours: 40 per week

Benefits:

• Bereavement leave
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible schedule
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Mileage reimbursement
• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance
• Referral program
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

Application Question(s):

• Are you under 35? (This is a qualification criteria adopted under ORS 414.665).
• Are you located in Jackson County or willing to commute to Medford, OR?

License/Certification:

• Driver's License (Required)

Ability to Relocate:

• Medford, OR 97501: Relocate before starting work (Preferred)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $19 - $22