​​​​​​​Senior Youth Support Partner

Senior Youth Support Partner

Department: Allegheny County Department of Human Services

Division: Office of Community Services

Location: 810 River Avenue, Suite 300 Pittsburgh, PA 15212

The Senior Youth Support Partner is a member of the Allegheny County Department of Human Services (DHS) Youth Support Partner Unit. The primary responsibility of this position is to serve as a peer mentor, positive role model and an advocate to support peer Youth Support Partners, as well as support youth/young adults served by DHS. The Senior Youth Support Partner will assist the YSP Leadership Team in coaching and mentoring other Youth Support Partners in their role and also assist youth in achieving their goals and living healthy, self-directed lives. This position involves connecting with other professional staff and youth in order to strengthen the Youth Support Partners’ role and the focus on a strength-based approach to empowering youth voice and choice. The Senior Youth Support Partner also focuses on promoting resources and trainings, collaboration and engaging community and natural supports.

Additional assignments may include work with YSP Leadership Team, DHS Senior Management Staff and Director as needed.

The Senior Youth Support Partner must have (1) personal life experience in one or more of the child serving human service systems, like juvenile justice, behavioral/mental health, developmental disability, child welfare, drug & alcohol, etc., (2) the ability to positively and appropriately self-disclose regarding that experience, (3) minimum of 15 months as a Youth Support Partner including 1 year carrying a caseload, (4) consistently demonstrated the YSP Unit skill sets, (5) consistently demonstrated the Family Development Credential principles, and (6) positive yearly evaluation(s) and a clean DCM disciplinary record for the past 6 months. Local and distant travel as required.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Assists YSP Supervisors/Coaches with training and coaching other Youth Support Partners.

• Provides orientation and onboarding support.

• Develops a schedule and works with Supervisors/Coaches and others to plan speakers and activities to fill the schedule of coaching and training for the YSP Unit Staff.

• Completes periodic peer assessments to aid YSP Supervisors/Coaches in their evaluations of YSPs.

• Participates in Train-the-Trainer activities for trainings, (i.e. self-advocacy or the Youth Mental Health First Aid) and leads trainings for YSPs and youth.

• Credentials YSPs in the field.

• Provides shadowing opportunities.

• Learn all 8 keys for A.M.P and teach 1-2 classes each month.

• Leads YSP Unit efforts on managing requests for special speaking engagements or event participation for members of the YSP Unit.

• Actively participates in trainings and professional development opportunities.

• Participates in outreach and advocacy efforts on local, state and national level.

• Maintains membership on various boards and committees.

• 
  Uses technology and computer programs to develop documents to support the YSP Leadership team, the other YSPs and the youth, as needed.

• Coordinates and helps facilitate support groups and/or social events.

• Provides outreach, recruits and identifies youth for the program.

• Helps with Behavioral Rehearsals.

• Assists with recruitment by going out and pitching YSP role to interested youth.

• Helps with first round interviews for potential new YSPs.

• Mentors new YSPs and serves as a role model for Youth Support Partners, youth and others.

• Coordinates youth involvement in evaluation projects.

• Participates in networking opportunities: speaking engagements, committees, workgroups, roundtables, etc.

• Serves as an advocate and peer mentor for youth currently receiving services through Allegheny County’s

Department of Human Services.

• Maintains a caseload of youth, approx. 15-18 youth, depending on opportunities and needs.

• Speaks up for the youth and the Youth Support Partner role in various settings – 1 on 1; in small groups; at meetings and large conferences, etc.

• Acts as a resource on youth transition through the collection of information about the needs of young adults in any DHS System.

• Represents DHS/YSP Unit in internal and external committees, meetings, taskforces, presentations, and at community, county and state events.

• Works independently, as well as with teams, to assist youth in identifying and coordinating services, community resources and natural supports.

• Coordinates youth involvement in a variety of opportunities, including but not limited to conference attendance involving out of town travel.

• Educates youth on how to advocate for their needs; have a voice and choice in matters related to their lives.

• Creates partnerships with youth and professionals to help meet their needs.

• Educates youth on independence and recovery.

• Completes all required paperwork (case notes, timesheets, expense reports, etc.) in a timely manner.

Supervisory Responsibilities

This job has no supervisory responsibilities.

Additional Responsibilities

From time to time the employee will be required to perform additional tasks and duties as required by the employer.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Demonstrated leadership abilities through taking initiative on projects, during meetings and other peer support opportunities.

• Demonstrated computer skills and understanding, including Microsoft Outlook, Word and preferably Excel.

• Demonstrated sense of personal responsibility and accountability.

• Demonstrated ability to follow up and follow through on assignments and tasks.

• Demonstrated knowledge and some success with own life skills, i.e. budgeting, pursuing and maintaining education objectives and/or jobs, understanding of basic life skills (hard and soft skills), etc.

• Demonstrated ability to manage personal and work boundaries and seek support when needed.

• Demonstrated ability to establish and accomplish goals.

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

• Demonstrated ability to work with individuals from diverse backgrounds in a culturally competent manner.

• Outspoken, flexible and self-disciplined.

• Ability to take constructive criticism with an open mind.

• Ability to set and manage one’s own schedule and meet deadlines.

• Demonstrated ability to work independently and manage multiple tasks.

• Proven ability to adjust to changes.

• Knowledge of community resources.

• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.

• Ability to find creative solutions to problems/issues.

• Skilled at leading and inspiring by example.

• Skilled in public speaking.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions, consistent with applicable law.

Education/Experience Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in a related field, plus at least 1 year of combined work experience.

-OR-

High School Diploma or equivalent, plus a minimum of 3 years combined work experience.

-OR-

Any equivalent combination of education and experience which meets the required knowledge, skills and abilities.

-AND-

Incumbent must have (1) a minimum of 15 months as a Youth Support Partner in the Youth Support Partner Unit and have consistently demonstrated the YSP Unit skill set and Family Development Credential principles, with no DCM documented disciplinary issues within the past 6 months. The required 15 months as a Youth Support Partner in the Youth Support Partner Unit can be combined with the total years’ experience required above.; (2) an alumni from one of the Department of Human Services’ child serving systems (Office of Children, Youth and Families, Office of Behavioral Health, Office of Mental Retardation/Developmental Disabilities) or Juvenile Justice; (3) demonstrated the ability to positively and appropriately self-disclose regarding that experience; (4) On ‘auto-approve’ for contact notes.

Generally, candidates are expected to have a minimum of 15 months as a Youth Support Partner (including 1 year carrying a caseload) and a clean DCM disciplinary record for the past 12 months. Candidates who do not meet those requirements will need to demonstrate why they are ready for this role.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations ​​​​​​​

Act 33, 34 and FBI clearances.

-AND-

Valid driver’s license and access to a reliable vehicle to attend meetings and make home visits to the families.

-AND-

Family Development Credential.