Peer Support Worker, Back Our ; B2OF

Location:

Chicago, ILJob # of Openings: 1

Job Title:

Peer Support Worker, B2

OF

Reports to:

Director, High School and Post Secondary Education Program Area:
Breakthrough Youth Network, Back 2 Our Future (B2OF)
FLSA Code:
Full time, Exempt

Hours:

40-hour workweek; flexible schedule (including evenings and weekends hours as needed)

Location:

Family Plex, 3219 W. Carroll, Chicago, IL 60624

Position Summary

The Peer Support Worker will work collaboratively with the Breakthrough Beyond team, Violence Prevention team, and Behavioral Health team to provide culturally relevant outreach, engagement, and support services to youth ages 13-21.

• Build strong positive relationships with youth and facilitate team building between participants
• Engage youth in wrap around services within their agency and work with external partners to provide additional support services to youth
• Responsible for gaining trust of the students and demonstrating relentless engagement to keep youth actively engaged
• Develop and implement creative strategies to retain youth participants throughout the program
• Assist with data collection and entry into data systems such as Salesforce
• Implement performance measurement tools with youth participants and ensure timely completion of deadlines
• Attend mandatory training and meetings
• Participate in facilitation of programs, workshops and events geared toward youth development and engagement
• Document all youth services activities and engagement in appropriate paper and electronic systems
• Work with the team to create and execute individualized service plans (ISP) and Casey Life Skills Assessment
• Engage youth in problem-solving, life skills, conflict resolution and communication activities to enhance core competencies
• Work collaboratively with Behavioral Health Staff
• In collaboration with support staff, conduct regular home visits for potential program participants for recruitment purposes and to disengaged participants to re‑engage in the program
• Behaves with integrity, demonstrates high ethical standards and displays a positive image of Breakthrough
• Act in a professional manner always and maintains appropriate boundaries with youth
• Demonstrates accountability for results and keeps commitments to others
• Supports youth with transitions to employment and/or education upon program completion
• Demonstrates openness and respect for cultural and socioeconomic characteristics of youth and coworkers
• Accepts feedback and ideas from team and supervisor and is constructive when giving feedback and ideas to others
• Responds in a timely manner to all written correspondence, email, and phone calls
• Connects youth to year-round and summer related career activities, vocational training, employment, etc.
• Attends regular supervision, team meetings and other professional workshops to enhance job skills
• Serve as linkages and support to individuals by referring clients to outside services and other opportunities (i.e., drug treatment, etc.)
• Prepare accurate reports and case summaries
• Performs other duties and tasks assigned

• Independently follows agency policy and procedures
• Follows through with commitments including meeting established timelines
• Identifies and resolves difficult issues
• Project a professional image to all internal and external customers ensuring proper grooming
• Promote customer care through all actions and behaviors
• Works effectively with diverse staff, communities and population served
• Maintain a high degree of sensitivity, tact, and diplomacy during stressful situations.
• A passion for the mission of Breakthrough

• At least 21 years of age
• High school diploma/GED with lived experience or experience as a caregiver of a child with behavioral health needs OR 2 years of experience in youth development
• Has individual, lived experience with firearm violence, either directly or through community exposure
• Demonstrates the ability to work within agency structure, accept supervision, and participate as a member of a multi-disciplinary team
• Has completed or will complete training through the Metropolitan Peace Academy upon hire
• Willingness to learn and commit to the principles of…