Peer Advocate - Youth & Family Workforce Expansion Program

Peer Advocate - Youth & Family Workforce Expansion Program

Career Opportunities with Brooklyn Bureau of Community Service (inc)

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Department: Peer Advocate Workforce Expansion Program

Position: Youth and Family Peer Advocate

Program/Department: Youth and Family Peer Advocate Workforce Expansion Program

Reports to: Program Coordinator

Work Location: 980 Halsey Street, Brooklyn, New York

Hours: Part Time 20 to 25 hours per week, must be available to work on Saturdays

Salary Range : $18.00 - $18.00 per hour

Contract is scheduled to run through June 30, 2026

Founded in 1866, Brooklyn Community Services (BCS) is one of New York City’s largest and oldest poverty-fighting nonprofits. We partner with people of all ages to overcome obstacles on their paths to self-determination, through our after school, food, housing, literacy, ESOL, psychiatric rehabilitation, work readiness, and workforce development programs across more than 25 sites in Brooklyn. BCS serves approximately 20,000 individuals a year.

The Youth Peer Advocate program provides training to youth and families to develop skills and strategies to empower and support other young people and families by helping participants to obtain the YPA or PEP credential. The core required training for this is either the Youth Peer Advocate (YPA) training or Parent Empowerment Program (PEP) training, in addition to a wide range of other training.

POSITION SUMMARY: Peer Specialists use their “lived experience” to promote resiliency, recovery, wellness, and self-efficacy, and support the practice of youth-guided and family-driven approaches. The Peer Specialist position is community-based. Services are delivered in a variety of settings that meet the needs of the program participants.

RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE:

• The Peer Advocate works with the Program Coordinator in collaboration with the NYC Youth/Family Peer Advocate Training programs to introduce and motivate young adults with mental health and/or lived experience towards professional development and purpose.
• Establish structured, supportive relationships with youth and family peer advocate trainees.
• Build trusting supportive relationship with Peer trainees, offering hope and motivation towards goal setting and professional development
• Meet participants in the office, or in the community to educate around YPA or PEP training Programs, while promoting self-efficacy and personal development
• With the program coordinator develop community resources and services
• Connect participants to community resources and services;
• Provide mutual support, hope, reassurance and advocacy which includes sharing one’s own “personal recovery/resiliency story” as appropriate.
• Co-facilitate presentations on the Youth/Family Peer Advocate Training Program as needed and serve as an advocate and mentor.
• Assist in navigating the Youth and Family Peer training service system, including coaching, encouragement, bridging gaps, and support around developing skills to independently navigate services.
• Use electronic database, document demographic data on all individuals seen, track all services provided and monitor progress towards identified goals associated with training program
• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications

• High school or equivalent (Required)
• Effective oral /written/interpersonal communication skills and the ability to work independently are required
• Must undergo pre-employment screenings such as the Criminal Background Check required by OMH

BCS is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities