Peer Youth Advocate Job Description

The primary job function of the Youth Advocate is to: engage, advocate, communicate, and address the needs of children and youth that have emotional, behavioral, mental health and or substance use challenges who are receiving services at the NYCCC, including South Beach Psychiatric Center, RFK PS 169, Astor Case Management Services, and any other program(s) FOTM is contracted to provide services.

The Peer Youth Advocate also provides transitional services and educational workshops to youth within the various programs.  Promotion of quality services, youth empowerment, and support to youth are essential features of this position. To meet the diverse needs of the youth served, schedules may vary and staff can be reassigned at any time based on program needs.

Peer Youth Advocates are mandated reporters and must follow the guidelines of reporting child abuse and or neglect.

Qualifications/Requirements

Must have:

• A High School Diploma, or its equivalent (GED), college experience is a plus; good verbal and written communication skills.
• The Youth Peer Advocate will be an individual 18 to 30 years old who has self-identified as a person who has first-hand experience with social, emotional, medical, developmental, substance use, and/or behavioral challenges, and has experience receiving mental health services and/or navigating other child-serving systems.
• Demonstrates qualities of leadership, including knowledge of advocacy, and can positively reflect on and share his/her experiences with others.
• Peer Engagement.  The ability to effectively connect and engage with youth.  Peer Engagement is 90% of the Peer Youth Advocates role and responsibility.  This also includes engagement with staff and partner staff agency.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office products (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• Work flexible hours, as required. 
• Work in collaboration with all Peer Family Advocates in engaging youth in planning their own care and having their voice heard
• Share personal knowledge and experiences about the youth serving system and resources available to youth.
• Possess the ability to complete paperwork promptly, flexible, willingness to travel, and able to engage and work well with others.
• Computer literate with the ability to navigate computer software applications successfully (i.e., Microsoft WORD, PowerPoint, Zoom, etc.).
• Adheres to all agency guidelines, protocols, and procedures.
• Collaborates and engages with others to develop and publicize youth support groups, recreational activities, educational workshops/training.
• Works as a team to access community resources and support for youth.
• Shares general information about family and youth support programming and other community-based resources.
• FOTM employees who are assigned to work at an Office of Mental Health (OMH) facility must be fully vaccinated or willing to become fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Candidates who are not fully vaccinated against COVID-19 may not start work.