Youth Peer Advocate

GENERAL JOB DESCRIPTION 

Provide peer support in person and online. Coordinate independent living skills, evaluations, and trainings for transition-age youth with disabilities within Erie, Niagara, Genesee, Orleans and Wyoming Counties. 

SPECIFIC DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES 

Monitor and facilitate WNYIL’s online, youth peer support forum: WNYyouthresources.org. 

Provide peer advocacy services to transition-age youth with disabilities. 

Coordinate and/or perform independent living skills counseling and training. 

Facilitate youth peer support and skill-building groups. 

Coordinate and conduct independent living evaluations for transition-age youth with disabilities. 

Inform individuals about various programs available to them and assist them in securing and/or maintaining benefits, such as vocational rehabilitation, social services, Medicaid, etc. 

Identify housing options for transition-age youth. 

Accurately document consumer services and required paperwork in WNYIL’s electronic consumer record within two (2) working days of the date of service. 

Must at all times perform in a professional, conscientious, and efficient manner for the purpose of ensuring a better quality of life for persons with disabilities. 

Attend Agency’s in-service training and staff meetings as well as any other agency-related activities as required. 

Participate in maintaining a neat, clean, and safe work environment. 

Perform other duties as deemed legally and ethically necessary by the supervisor 

EDUCATION & TRAINING 

High School diploma or equivalent  

   OR 

Associate degree  

   OR 

Bachelor’s degree 

Professional and life-experience may be considered in lieu of, in full or part of academic credentials.  

KNOWLEDGE & EXPERIENCE (if required) 

High School diploma or equivalent requires five (5) years of work experience. 

Associate degree requires three (3) years of work experience.  

Bachelor’s degree requires one (1) year of work experience.  

Must obtain a New York State Youth Peer Advocate Credential within the first year of employment.  

Be an individual 18 to 30 years old who is self-identified as a person who has first-hand experience with social, emotional, medical, developmental, substance use, and/or behavioral challenges. 

Be able to use lived experience with a disability, mental illness, juvenile justice, special education, substance use disorder, and/or foster care to assist in supporting youth in their resiliency/recovery and wellness. 

Be able to travel independently throughout Erie, Niagara, Genesee, Orleans and Wyoming counties.  

At a minimum, have a high school diploma, high school equivalency, or a State Education Commencement Credential. This educational requirement can be waived by the certifying agency if the person has demonstrated competencies and has relevant life experience sufficient for the peer certification. 

WORKING CONDITIONS 

WORK ENVIRONMENT 

Office/Community 

PHYSICAL DEMANDS OF THE JOB 

Sitting for extended periods of time. 

Occasional lifting of not more than 15 pounds. 

HOURS / SHIFTS 

20 hours per week.  Monday – Friday, 8:30am-5:00pm  

CLASSIFICATION 

Part-time, hourly, non-exempt, professional staff.  

Hourly: $17.00 - $19.00 

BENEFITS 

Vision, dental, life, supplemental insurances available. 

PTO and paid holiday package. 

403(b) retirement with Agency match. 

Employee Assistance Program 

OTHER 

Western New York Independent Living, Inc. values employee safety and follows all recommended NYS required Infectious Disease Prevention Protocols. 

Western New York Independent Living, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. 

Reasonable accommodations will be made for people with disabilities. 

Western New York Independent Living Inc. is a scent-free Agency.