Peer Specialist - Young Adults Career Program (YACP)

Position Description:

The YACP Peer specialist role involves mentoring young adults, providing career guidance, and supporting them in overcoming challenges that may hinder their professional and personal development. The Peer Specialist will be a role model who can relate to the experiences and needs of young adults striving to enter the workforce. The role of the Peer Specialist encompasses extensive knowledge of the recovery journey, effective rapport building, and fostering individuals' resilience in order to obtain and maintain a fulfilling life within society.  The YACP Peer Specialist will assist consumers with identifying and reducing barriers to obtaining and maintaining a career while advocating for consumers’ autonomy, empowerment, and decision-making throughout the entire process of engagement, rehabilitation, and support services.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

·         Mentorship and Support:

·         Provide one-on-one mentorship to participants in the career development program.

·         Assist participants in setting and achieving personal and professional goals.

·         Offer support and guidance on overcoming personal and career-related challenges. Provides complex care coordination, with a focus on career navigation and retention.

·         Provides high-touch case management, especially in terms of escorting consumers to indicated resources and ensuring that the linkage is made.

·         Share his/her experience with mental illness and substance abuse in a manner which communicates hope ---- this individual will be a “program of attraction” as he/she relates their own experience--- what it was like, what happened, and what it is like now.

·         Is involved in monthly collaborative meetings with team and partners.

·         Career Guidance:

·         Help participants understand various career paths and the qualifications required for different roles.

·         Assist with job search strategies, resume building, and interview preparation.

·         Facilitate workshops and training sessions on career development topics.

·         Program Development:

·         Collaborate with program coordinators to develop and refine career program curricula.

·         Provide feedback on program effectiveness and suggest improvements based on participant needs and outcomes.

·         Is involved in monthly collaborative meetings with team and partners.

·         Work collaboratively with team members to ensure program target objectives are met on a daily basis.

·         Advocacy and Outreach:

·         Serve as an advocate for the career program in the community.

·         Engage with local businesses and organizations to create partnership opportunities for program participants.

·         Participate in outreach efforts to attract new participants to the program.

·         Administrative Duties:

·         Maintain accurate records of participant progress and program activities.

·         Prepare reports on program outcomes and participant success stories.

·         Assist in the organization of program events and activities.

·         Comply with all protected health information about any member of other party in accordance with Southern California Health & Rehabilitation Program policies related to state or federal laws such as Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).

Use appropriate safeguards to protect the confidentiality