The Peer Leadership Coordinator (PLC) works in one of the Youth and Young Adult (YYA) Access Centers (ACs) to coordinate YYA leadership activities, conduct engagement activities and ensure youth voice is reflected throughout the AC. The PLC is a key member of the AC leadership team.

Job Duties and Responsibilities:

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

• Works with 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 Leadership Council.
• Provides outreach and marketing efforts to educate YYA and other stakeholders in the community about the program and services offered.
• Acts as staff liaison to the Young Adult Leadership Council.
• 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 SEAC leadership team, ensures YYA decision making power is present in all aspects of the SEAC operation.
• 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/forums in collaboration with the SEAC Director that are based on YYA feedback and are 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 substance misuse.
• Educates DMH and SEAC staff around engagement strategies that retain YYA in services.
• Helps YYA in developing life skills, finding their voice, and identifying and using their strengths.
• Uses Achieve My Plan, Gathering, and Inspiring Future Talent, motivational interviewing, harm reductions and other evidence information/based and best practice models as trained, models effective coping techniques and self-help strategies.
• Performs other duties, as assigned.

Keywords: Peer Specialist, PeerSpecialist, CPS, advocacy, PeerSupport, VinfenPS, VinfenSEAC

Why Vinfen?

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

• Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance for employees working 30 hours or more
• 15 days of Vacation, 12 Paid Holidays, 10 Sick Days and 3 Personal Days per year (for employees scheduled for 20 hours or more)
• Education Assistance and Tuition Remission Programs as well as innovative Student Loan Payment Programs. Employment with Vinfen counts toward your Public Student Loan Forgiveness eligibility
• Professional Development programs including year-round online training courses and opportunities to earn CEUs
• Retirement savings programs, including a fully funded, employer sponsored retirement plan and an employee funded 403 (b) plan
• Company paid Life, Accidental Death & Dismemberment and Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Voluntary Term, Whole Life, Accident and Critical Care Insurance
• Flexible Spending Reimbursement Accounts (Health and Dependent care)
• $500 -- $1,000+ Employee Referral Bonuses with no annual cap!
• Other generous benefits including discounted memberships, access to wellness programs 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 3,200 dedicated employees are experienced, highly-trained professionals who provide a full range of supportive living, health, educational, and clinical services in 318 programs throughout Massachusetts and Connecticut. For more information about Vinfen, please visit www.vinfen.org/careers

My Vinfen. My Community. My Job.

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.

• 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