Family Peer Advocate I or II - Orleans & Genesee County - Family Resiliency

Family Peer Advocate I or II – Orleans & Genesee County – Family Resiliency

Join to apply for the Family Peer Advocate I or II – Orleans & Genesee County – Family Resiliency role at Hillside Family of Agencies.

The Family Peer Advocate is responsible for empowering families and assisting them in navigating and advocating within multiple child‑serving systems. The advocate supports parents in developing positive approaches and methods to meet the needs of youth and their families, including self‑care.

This role requires lived experience and flexibility with working hours, including evenings, as determined by family needs that arise outside of regular service hours.

• Provide informational and educational support on system navigation, advocacy, and rights to empower families to become active participants in their child’s services.
• Make referrals and linkages to needed services and resources and assist with access.
• Support families in caring for and strengthening their children’s mental, physical health, development, and well‑being by teaching strategies to promote positive behavior.
• Facilitate parent training and education to increase knowledge and skills while providing opportunities for networking with other families.
• Act as a bridge between families and providers by forming and maintaining relationships through effective communication and collaboration.
• Administer assessments and help families identify gaps in services and assist in planning to eliminate them.
• Develop treatment and safety plans with parent/caregiver supporting the family’s identified goals.
• Promote effective family‑driven practice and attend/facilitate meetings to infuse a family perspective at all levels.
• Maintain all necessary records, reports, and summaries in client files to ensure compliance with federal, state, funder, Medicaid, and Hillside standards.
• Obtain and maintain credential/certification as required.
• Participate in agency and team meetings, in‑service training, and community committee service as needed.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
• Family Peer Advocate II additionally:
  • Serve as a resource to guide team performance.
  • Lead/conduct training and manage projects as directed.
  • Mentor Family Peer Advocate I staff.

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Minimum one year of lived experience required based on program and funder requirements, such as being a parent/caregiver of a child with social, emotional, developmental, medical, substance use, or behavioral challenges, or personal lived experience in similar contexts.
• Family Peer Advocate II:
  Minimum 18 months of related work experience required.

• Must obtain appropriate credential within 6 months of hire.
• Unrestricted, valid NYS driver’s license for a minimum of one year with a clean driving record and insurance coverage meeting agency standards.

• Act as an adult role model, demonstrating effective communication, hygiene, appearance, self‑management, and respectful relationships.
• Engage children/families in trust‑based relationships to help prepare for transitions and promote independence.
• Recognize and address issues related to substance abuse, mental health, domestic violence, and child abuse and neglect.
• Advocate for families to achieve optimal outcomes, communicating expectations and facilitating results.
• Demonstrate cultural competence and respect for individual differences.
• Understand applicable laws, identify community resources, and access public assistance and eligibility.

• Variable schedule including evenings and weekends.
• Daily physical demands: sitting (up to 6 hours), occasional standing or walking, driving several times a week, balancing, bending, climbing, kneeling, reaching, lifting up to 15 lbs weekly, and manual dexterity required.
• Occasional exposure to dust, fumes, or chemicals.

Pay range: $18.50 – $25.50 per hour (based on experience).

Pay range: $19.46 – $29.00 per hour (based on experience).

Entry level

Full‑time

Other