Peer Leadership Coordinator

Overview

Summary:

The Peer Leadership Coordinator (PLC) works in one of the Youth and Young Adult (YYA) Access Centers (ACs) to coordinate YYA leadership and advocacy activities, conduct engagement activities, and ensure YYA voice and choice is reflected throughout the AC. The PLC functions as a liaison to the YA Leadership Council and is a key member of the AC leadership team alongside the PD, promoting YYA voice and leadership throughout all elements of AC programming and culture.

Responsibilities

Job Duties and Responsibilities:

The essential job duties/responsibilities of the position include but are not limited to the information listed below:

• Shares personal experiences; provides non-directive support and works with the YYA (if YYA chooses) to enhance skills of self-direction and empowerment.•Provides outreach and engagement activities that lead to the establishment of a Young Adult (YA) Leadership Council.•As a member of the AC leadership team, partners with the PD to engage in networking, collaboration, and coordination efforts to develop and strengthen relationships with community stakeholders in order to ensure ACs are offering activities and events to meet the needs of YYA in the community.•Acts as staff liaison to the Young Adult Leadership Council, serving in an advisory capacity to the Council and assisting the Council as requested.•Works closely with the YA Leadership Council to ensure that the YYA voice and choice informs all AC programming and is the driver of all AC supports and services. Coordinates YYA leadership activities within the AC.•Promotes YYA participation in other local and statewide leadership councils, such as the Department of Mental Health (DMH) Statewide Mental Health Planning Council Youth Development Subcommittee.•As a member of the AC leadership team, ensures YYA decision making power is present in all aspects of the AC operation. Communicates YYA input and feedback to AC PD, and to organizational leadership as needed.•Supports YYA and facilitates and promotes YYA voice in policy and programmatic decisions and service design and improvement to ensure services are relevant.•Coordinates the inclusion of YYA in the interview and hiring of all staff positions.•Arranges trainings/forum in collaboration with the AC Program Director that are based on YYA feedback and are opportunities that include both YYA andYYA Access Ctr Peer Ldrshp Coor MA PR 2staff.•Develops volunteer opportunities through networking efforts for YYA to give back to the community.•Helps YYA in developing supportive relationships and community connections.•Helps YYA in communicating and working effectively with service providers, employers, natural supports, family members, and others to achieve their goals.•Promotes healthy lifestyles and wellness practices including in the area of substance use.•Educates DMH and AC staff around engagement strategies that retain YYA in services.•Provides coaching, guidance, and non-supervisory mentorship to Young Adult Peer Mentor staff to promote professional growth and development.•Helps YYA in developing life skills, finding their voice, and identifying and using their strengths.•Uses Gathering and Inspiring Future Talent, Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP) motivational interviewing, harm reduction, and other evidence informed/based and best practice models as trained.•Promotes discovery and recovery as they use their own lived experience in a purposeful, strength-based way to support YYA.•Inspires hope and future focus in YYA.•Provides social activities for YYA, whether at the AC or in the community.•Attends in-service trainings and staff meetings.•Helps YYA develop self-advocacy skills, in groups or individually.•Helps maximize choices available to YYA as well as their self-determination, and participation and decision-making in the planning, delivery, and evaluation of their services.•Helps YYA link to other community services and peer networks, both in person and virtual, including services and networks for people with co-occurring disorders - including mutual help and peer support groups.•Models effective coping techniques and self-help strategies.•Provides crisis intervention when needed.•Works collaboratively as a cohesive unit with all other AC staff, both within the AC and collaboratively with other ACs, to deliver services under the leadership of the PD.•Performs other related duties, as assigned.

About Vinfen

Why Vinfen? We are committed to you! We offer great training, great benefits, career growth and job security!

Our comprehensive and generous benefits package includes:

• A fully funded, employer-sponsored retirement plan that requires no employee contribution as well as an employee-funded 403(b) plan
• First-rate Medical, Dental and Vision plans that are open all employees scheduled to work 30 hours per week or more. Plus, we offer a generous employer contribution toward the cost of medical insurance!
• Employer-paid Life, Accidental Death & Dismemberment and Long-Term Disability Insurance (no cost to you!)
• Employer-paid Short-Term Disability Insurance along with the option to purchase additional, voluntary, Short-Term disability insurance
• Flexible Spending Reimbursement Accounts (Health and Dependent care)
• Voluntary Term, Whole Life, Accident and Critical Care Insurance
• Generous paid time off (Employees scheduled to work 20 hours or more per week):
• 15 days of Vacation per year
• 11 Paid Holidays
• 10 Sick Days per year
• 3 Personal Days per year
• Educational Assistance and Remission Programs
• $500 Employee Referral Bonus with no annual cap!
• Other generous benefits including discounted YMCA memberships, access to discounted movie tickets and more!

About Us:

Established in 1977, Vinfen is a nonprofit, health and human services organization and a leading provider of community-based services to individuals with mental health conditions, intellectual and developmental disabilities, brain injuries, and behavioral health challenges. Our services and advocacy promote the recovery, resiliency, habilitation, and self-determination of the people we serve. Vinfen''s 3,500 dedicated employees are experienced, highly-trained professionals who provide a full range of supportive living, health, educational, and clinical services in over 550 sites throughout Massachusetts and Connecticut. For more information about Vinfen, please visit www.vinfen.org/careers.

My Job. My Community. My Vinfen.

Vinfen is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran status, or disability status.

Qualifications

• Bachelor''s degree in human services discipline strongly preferred
• Certified Peer Specialist required
• Experience as a recipient of services for people with psychiatric conditions as well as being well along in own recovery required
• Two to three years working with YYA experiencing co-occurring disorders in addition to psychiatric conditions required
• A fully insured vehicle that you will use in the course of daily work and willingness to provide transport to YYA
• Ability to form solid connections with YYA with mental health concerns
• Knowledge of both the DMH Child Youth and Family and Adult services systems
• Willing to use and share personal, practical experience of recovery process and wellness management

All candidates for this position must be at least 21 years of age and have held a valid US driver''s license for at least 6 months. Additionally, candidates must be able to successfully pass a CORI, driving record, employment and multi-state background check. All candidates must be able to become CPR, First Aid certified within two weeks of hire. Knowledge and Skills:•Ability to create and maintain supportive, trusting relationships with YYA served by the AC•Knowledge of both the DMH Child Youth and Family and Adult services systems•Ability to liaison between the Leadership Council and Program and organizational Leadership as needed•Skilled in mediation and conflict resolution•Willing to use and share their personal, practical experience of recovery process, wellness management, and the personal effort and commitment required for YYA to have a full and satisfying life in the community•Strong commitments to the right and ability of people served to live, work, have meaningful relationships and receive the resources and supports needed in their community of choice•Knowledge of person-centered, strengths-based, recovery-oriented values, and principles and modalities•Knowledge of Peer Support practices and ethical standards including the Peer Mentor Practice Profile•Ability to learn and use evidence-based practices and approachesYYA Access Ctr Peer Ldrshp Coor MA PR 3•Knowledge of Wellness Recovery Action Planning (WRAP) and other wellness management strategies•Ability to create and maintain supportive, trusting relationships with YYA served by the AC•Commitment to maintain confidentiality of YYA•Knowledge of engagement and participatory planning techniques•Sensitivity to the cultural, religious, ethnic, disability, and gender/gender identity differences of YYA•Knowledge and use of advocacy techniques•Respect for and knowledge of legal, civil, and human rights of YYA•Knowledge of community and other resources•Ability to work independently as well as a part of a team•Ability to use crisis intervention techniques and relapse prevention techniques•Ability to balance competing priorities•Ability to make independent judgments and decisions•Knowledge of personal computer applications and equipment•Knowledge and use of advocacy techniques•Respect for and knowledge of legal, civil, and human rights of YYA.•Knowledge of community and other resources•Ability to work independently as well as a part of a team.•Ability to use crisis intervention techniques and relapse prevention techniques.•Ability to balance competing priorities.•Ability to make independent judgments and decisions.•Knowledge of personal computer applications and equipment Typical Requirements:•Personal, first-hand experience (not just having a friend or family member) being a recipient of the mental health system, which encompasses experiences such as psychiatric inpatient hospitalization, outpatient services/therapy, experience with psychiatric medications, and/or participating in mental health groups in the community. While a formal mental health diagnosis is not required, your involvement with mental health services must be related to your experience with mental health, emotional health and/or trauma resulting in significant life disruption.•Must become a Certified Peer Specialist OR complete "Core Elements of Young Adult Peer Mentoring" training within 6 months of hire. Must become a Certified Peer Specialist within 1 year of hire.•Two years working with YYA experiencing mental health challenges and/or co-occurring disorders required, including coordinating young adult led activities and groups. Prior experience as a Young Adult Peer Mentor or Certified Peer Specialist strongly preferred.•Preference given to bi-lingual/bi-cultural applicants.Preferred /Required Education:A high school diploma or equivalent is required. Bachelor's degree preferred. In some cases, experience may be substituted for academic training. Certification as Peer Specialist (CPS) in state of service preferred. Driving Requirements:YYA Access Ctr Peer Ldrshp Coor MA PR 4Driving is a requirement for this position using either a Vinfen van or a personal vehicle. If using a personal vehicle, you must possess and maintain adequate insurance as well as maintain a safe driving record which is subject to annual checks. A valid driver''s license must be presented at the time of employment. Incumbents must be at least 21 years of age, have maintained a valid US driver''s license for at least one year, and must be able to pass a driver''s screening background check. Physical Effort:Ability to stand, walk, bend, kneel, stoop, crouch, crawl, climb as this is a very physically active position. Must be able to lift at least 25 pounds using proper lifting techniques or the use of a two-person lift. Ability to operate a computer and other office equipment such as a calculator, copier, and printer. Ability to sit, reach, climb stairs, and maneuver through narrow spaces or hallways. Ability to assist clients with tasks of daily living. Ability to speak, hear, and communicate with clients, staff, and external representatives. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus. Required Certifications:• CPR required within the first two weeks of hire.• First Aid required within two weeks of hire.• NET required.• GIFT co-trainer required within one year of hire. Required Credentials/Licenses:Certified Peer Specialist required.

Pay Range

USD $48,667.00 - USD $48,667.00 /Yr.