Peer Mentor, Springfield, MA

Key Program is seeking a Peer Mentor in Springfield, MA, to work with youth ages 14-22 referred by the MA Department of Children and Families (DCF) for comprehensive community-based services. Working in tandem with Key's Outreach Caseworkers, the Peer Mentor will provide services include supporting, coaching and training the youth in age-appropriate tasks that assist with developing the life skills necessary for independence and autonomy; and to foster the development of life-long relationships with community resources that can support and sustain them throughout their life. Join the Key Program and be part of an organization that values employees and promotes a positive work/life culture.

Wage: Competitive hourly wage: $24.50

Additional compensation is provided for bilingual skills, on-call rotation, and our generous employee referral bonus program.

Insurance: (See attachment for contribution details)

• Key offers Blue Cross Blue Shield Blue Benefits covering over 90% of medical premiums and 70% for dental premiums with low deductibles and co-pays.

Professional Development: (See attachment for details)

• Tuition assistance is available for any degree or certification program.
• Scholarship opportunities are provided for clinical-related graduate programs.
• Key is an internship placement site where employees can fulfill internship requirements for college credit.
• Intensive training, professional development and opportunities for advancement.

Self-Care and Paid Time Off Benefits:(See attachment for details)

• 3 weeks/vacation, 2 weeks/sick time, 3 days/personal, 3 days/bereavement and 12 paid.

holidays for Full-time staff.

• Free, confidential employee assistance program for employees and adult household members for support with mental and physical health, financial, family, legal, parenting and other concerns.

Other:

• Mileage reimbursement for work-related travel.
• 403(b) retirement savings account (tax-deferred).
• Pre-tax childcare.

Qualifications:

• High School diploma, GED or HiSET AND a minimum of three (3) years of personal involvement and lived experience within the child welfare system.
• Previous experience working with children, adolescents or transition age youth (ages 14-22), preferred.

Requirements:

• Must be 21 years of age or older
• Valid state driver's license and legally registered and insured car for daily work use

This job requires daily driving to where the youths reside and includes a .70 cents per mile mileage reimbursement.

Responsibilities:

The Peer Mentor works a mixed schedule of afternoon, evenings and weekend shifts to accommodate youth schedules.

• develops and identifies an anticipated schedule for meeting with the youth at least one time per week and a timeline for goal completion.
• provides therapeutic interventions in collaboration with Key's Outreach Caseworkers while engaging the youth in various activities including social, recreational, athletic, creative, educational, vocational, and/or daily life-skills
• engages with youth delivering services in a manner that respects their cultural, ethnic and individual differences; demonstrates cultural humility, and sensitivity to gender identity.
• structures age-appropriate activities with the youth in order to coach or teach one or more skills identified in the existing treatment plan.
• provides services in a professional manner ensuring privacy, safety, respect and clear role boundaries for the youth.
• works collaboratively with members of the youths' team (consisting of community-based providers, lifelong connections, and DCF social workers).
• provides emergency support to the youth when needed, in accordance with Key's on-call system.
• prepares well written session notes and documentation according to guidelines and timeframes.

The Key Program is a private, non-profit human services agency whose mission is to assist children/adolescents and their families to develop positive life skills so they may pursue productive and rewarding lives. Key works in conjunction with the MA DCF, RI DCYF and NH DCYF and is an agency provider of community-based services, residential treatment programming, and outpatient mental/behavioral health services.

Key is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion and committed to hiring employees that reflect the diverse communities that we serve. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to their race or color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, age, country of ancestral origin, or veteran status.