What are the responsibilities and job description for the Youth Peer Support Specialist position at Oakland Family Services?
Who We Are
Oakland Family Services offers a warm and engaging work environment that is led by our cultural values. Oakland Family Services is a private, non-profit human service organization serving the area and building brighter futures for 100 years. We offer a continuum of prevention, education and treatment services that span the human life cycle, enrich the lives of children, strengthen families, rebuild lives and builds brighter futures for those we serve and those we employ. We are a proud recipient of the Detroit Free Press Top Workplaces Award for the 9th consecutive year!
What’s In It For YOU?
Our Culture
- Cultural values that are clear and lived each day
- Peer-based staff recognition programs
- Annual staff celebration (awards and luncheon)
- Warm, supportive work environment
- Work/life balance and wellness initiatives
- Flexible work schedule/hybrid schedule where appropriate
- Clinical supervision
- Professional development to include paid trainings and leadership and succession opportunities
- Team oriented approach to work processes
- RISE – Employee Sponsored Task Force Committed to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
- Commitment to open, honest and transparent communication
- Quarterly all staff lunch and/or meetings with the CEO
- Employee engagement initiatives (road rallies, employee appreciation events, staff recognition programs, food truck lunch-truck event, ice cream day, spirit weeks, logo wear webstore, bring your child to work day, chili cook off/bake off contests, and more)
Our Employee Benefits
- Three medical insurance plans to choose from (2 HMO’s and 1 PPO with Health Saving Account)
- Flexible Spending Accounts and HSA options*
- 403B Retirement Plan with a company match (immediate eligibility)
- Employer-paid Vision and Dental Insurance*
- Employer-paid Long-Term Disability*
- Voluntary Short-Term Disability Option*
- Generous Paid Time Off Benefits* to include vacation (10 prorated days of vacation time for new employees with increases starting after 2 years of employment) Sick (10 prorated days of paid sick leave), Personal Days (1 paid personal day off in addition to sick leave and vacation time), 11 paid bank holidays (in addition to sick leave, vacation time, and your personal day)
- Employer-paid Life Insurance and AD&D
- Employee Assistance Programs
- Verizon Cellular Plan Discount and other available discounts
*Applicable to regular, full time employees
About the Opportunity/Work
RESPONSIBILITIES/ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
The Youth Peer Support Specialist will act as a support and resource for youth with serious emotional disturbances (SED) who are receiving services in the Specialized Services for Youth program (SSY). The Youth Peer Support Specialist will act as a key member of the treatment team by working with youth one-on-one or in a groups, supporting them in achieving goals through shared activities and interventions. The Youth Peer Support Specialist will support youth empowerment by assisting youth in developing skills to improve their overall functioning and quality of life and working collaboratively with others involved in delivering the youth’s care. The position reports to the Supervisor of Specialized Services for Youth. The following represents a summary of the major duties and responsibilities performed by incumbents in this position. Incumbents may be requested to perform related tasks other than those specifically presented.
SPECIFIC DUTIES/JOB EXPECTATIONS
Professional Practice
- Build and foster relationships with the youth, family and others working with the youth.
- Provide services to youth primarily in the home or community.
- Actively engage as part of the treatment team to meet youth needs, complete all required documentation and paperwork.
- Prepare the youth to fully participate in their own meetings and treatment planning process (including Wraparound, Family Centered Planning meetings, IPOS, IEP meetings, etc.
- Teach self-advocacy, problem-solving and independent living skills.
- Provide support during “rough” or “crisis” times.
- Provide community education about youth culture and perspective.
- Empower the youth to build understanding inn others about their unique mental health needs.
- In collaboration with the youth, work with other internal and external partners (i.e., schools, faith community, other human services organizations) to develop natural supports to eliminate barriers to services, enhance existing community services or develop new services based on the needs of the youth.
- Co-facilitate groups of youth focusing on goals as specified in the treatment plan.
- Provide consultation and education to individuals and groups, and use problem-solving techniques with the objective of assisting youth in improving or maintaining functioning.
- Serve as a role model and active participant in supporting youth in meeting their treatment plan goals.
- The Youth Peer Support Specialist is responsible to document, in the form of written notes, in ODIN all family/individual contacts and/or activities conducted on their behalf.
- Conducts individual check-ins as necessary, provides check-in contact when clinicians are unavailable, as appropriate.
- Assists in facilitating community referrals to resources identified by the clinician, individual and family.
- Attends staff, team and department meetings.
- Performs other duties as assigned. Administration
- Performs the administrative tasks related to assigned caseload and other work assignments as required by the Agency.
- Provides assistance and support to other staff members, as appropriate and to coordinate program activities when assigned to do so.
Does This Describe YOU?
- Minimum High School Diploma/GED and relevant work/life experiences.
- Certification as a Youth Peer Support Specialist within six months of hire. Attend all required trainings to enhance skills and meet Agency guidelines as required by the Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS).
- Minimum of one year of experience working with minors and their families, preferred.
- Special abilities and skills necessary to perform the required tasks and that best meet the needs of the Agency also will be considered. Any standard above may be waived when compensating specifications or circumstances exist.
- Ability to exercise independent judgment while representing and service the Specialist Services for Youth program interests.
- Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
Oakland Family Services is an Equal Opportunity Employer
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status
