Young Adult Peer Mentor

Young Adult Peer Mentor - Community Services

 PACT-Y - Waltham 

Salary Range: $19.25/hour + depending on experience and certification + sign on bonus (half paid after 30 days of employment and half paid after 90 days of employment).
  

Wayside Youth & Family Support Network’s Waltham site is hiring a Young Adult Peer mentor (YAPM) for an innovative, evidenced based model of treatment in Massachusetts, the Program for Assertive Community Treatment for Youth (PACT-Y). This program is a DMH funded, intensive, self-contained, community-based program, serving youth and their families. We are looking for individuals who are open to working Monday - Friday with flexible scheduling. 

We provide a supportive culture that allows for a balance of personal responsibilities and professional development while contributing to the community. 
  
What you will do:    

• Work as part of a strong, collaborative, multidisciplinary team with the youth, young adults, caregivers and providers to ensure close collaboration and coordination of care. 
• Share your own lived experience as an example of hope to youth and families who are experiencing distress.
• Provide emotional and social support to individuals receiving services.
• Support individuals in making positive life changes and developing skills to facilitate their recovery.
• Act as a mentor, assisting the individual's recovery process and supporting the individual's goals and decisions.
• Work directly with youth and ensure youth engagement in services.
• Encourage youth to have an active voice in their treatment. 
• Assist youth served in navigating systems, to promote their awareness of     resources and access to supports. 
• Support and empower youth with skills and strategies to support their behavioral health needs. 
• Promote and strengthen family’s natural supports to foster a welcoming and supportive community for the youth. 
• Ensure that the youths’ rights are respected, particularly in regard to cultural competency. 
• Collaborate with other community-based organizations to provide services and care for clients. 

Competencies/Traits of Our Superstars:

• Talent connecting with people. 
• Strong communication skills –both written and verbal 
• Ability to assess and manage risk. 
• Flexibility, creative thinking, and adapt to competing priorities. 
• Excellent boundaries.

Minimum Requirements: 

• Lived experience of mental health, emotional health and/or trauma resulting in significant life disruption.
• Willingness to share your recovery story in the context of peer support.
• High school degree or GED.
• Driving in the community is a requirement of this position; please ensure you have a valid driver's license and access to a reliable vehicle. 

We will train you in: Motivational Interviewing; Courageous Conversations; Attachment, Regulation and Competency Model (ARC); Trauma Informed Practice; Substance Use Intervention; Risk and Safety Assessment. 

Wayside welcomes equity-minded applicants whose values align with our goal of being a child welfare and behavioral health agency committed to anti-racism, social justice, and advocacy. Successful candidates are asked to be engaged in Wayside’s dedication to Diversity, Equity & Inclusion. Bilingual/bicultural and LGBTQ+ applicants are encouraged to apply!