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Youth Peer Support Specialist – Transitional Aged Youth
Job Code:12550
Location:Saco 04072
Department:Transitional Age Youth - Saco
FT/PT Status:Part Time
  
Summary:

$2,000 Sign-On Bonus!

Sweetser is opening a Transitional Aged Youth Residential Unit in Saco!

Join a new dynamic team providing support to individuals with mental illness, within the framework of recovery and resiliency, providing a positive environment to assist in the development of living skills and meeting goals, while monitoring and role modeling health and safety.

Applies the tools developed in their own recovery as well as the philosophy and values of Youth Peer Support to build a connection, consider world view, maintain mutuality, and move towards a new way of being within the new relationship being built with the individual. The Youth Peer Support Specialist - Integrated will collaborate, coach, and challenge transitional aged youth up to 25 years of age in viewing life’s challenges as an opportunity for growth and change within each individual’s recovery process.

The role of Youth Peer Support Specialist requires someone between 18-26 years of age and have significant experience with recovery from mental health challenges, substance use disorder, and/or life interrupting trauma.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

  • Fully understands and is able to actively implement the Peer Connect Training Model.
  • Models relationship building, based on the Peer Connect Training Model with participants, volunteers and colleagues.
  • Facilitates peer support groups on an as needed basis to build community and connection among youth participants.
  • Understands and actively implements the Eight Dimensions of Wellness as described by SAMHSA.
  • Models the attributes of respect, trust, sensitivity and confidentiality.
  • Supports and models healthy relationships.
  • Schedules will vary according to program needs.
    • Youth receiving services at Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC)
    • Child Assertive Community Treatment (ACT)
    • Child Behavioral Health Home (BHH)
    • Mobile Crisis Team
    • Transitional Aged Youth (PNMI)
  • Follows best practices and guidelines established for each program.

EDUCATION:

  • High School diploma or equivalent.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS REQUIRED:

  • Peer Connect Training completed within 9 months of hire.
  • Staff must maintain a valid state driver’s license, reliable transportation and adequate insurance.
  • State of Maine Certified Intentional Peer Support Specialist (CIPSS) Certification; or
    • Complete the CIPSS pre-training within the first thirty (30) calendar days of hire.
    • Attend monthly co-reflections within sixty (60) calendar days of hire. 
    • Attend CIPSS 101 and apply for the next available Core Training within ninety (90) calendar days of hire.
  • Meet the annual State of Maine requirements to maintain CIPSS Certification.

EXPERIENCE:

  • Knowledge gained by lived experience with the process of Recovery from trauma, serious mental illness, and/or co-occurring Substance Use Disorder (SUD) and is willing to self-identify with peers on this basis in the community.
  • Paid, or unpaid, peer support experience preferred.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:

  • Demonstrates knowledge of personal Recovery.
  • Ability to be emotionally present and competent; recognize when you are not, seek support, and communicate this to the assigned manager.
  • Ability to work with diverse populations and accept differences in perspective and values.
  • Intermediate computer skills including the expectation of utilizing Electronic Health Record software.