Peer Mentor | Impact Center

Overview

Why Work for Gandara
:
Explore the career pathways in Behavioral Health, Substance Use and Recovery, Community Based Clinical services, Adolescent and Family services, Adult Residential, Maintenance and Administration. Whether that is in an entry level or leadership role, Gandara will provide the tools and resources to better enhance your career growth. The opportunities are presented with the ability to transition your skills and experience in meeting the organization’s mission.

There is a grand landscape of opportunities that supports the community we serve, so join the Gándara team today!

• Retirement Plan 403(b)
• Health, Dental, Vision, Pet and Life Insurance
• Paid vacations
• Paid holidays
• 8 discretionary days
• Mileage Reimbursement

Salary
: $18.00 to $19.00 Hourly

• Career Growth Opportunities
• Culturally Diverse population
• Clinical Licensing Support

Job Title
:
Peer Mentor

Work Location
:
Springfield, MA

• Bilingual Candidates Encouraged to Apply
• EOE M/F/D/V
• Union/Non-Union

A Peer Mentor should have the willingness to share lived experience with purpose and intent: good listening skills, nonjudgmental ability to foster self-sufficiency; the desire to work in a natural family and youth setting; ability to establish trusting relationships through compassion, embracing of diversity and empathy and insight with TAYA.

• Support, coach and train youth in connecting with community resources and services that help sustain the youth’s optimal function in the community.
• Attend and coordinate youth advisory group meeting
• Attend and participate in all training sessions and group meetings.
• Work both independently and as part of a group with fellow peer mentors
• Provide outreach to the community to engage in Transitional Age Youth and Young Adults (TAYA); provide information and linkages to mental health, substance use, primary healthcare, supportive housing employment, education, social support, Bene Plan, and DTA.
• Work as a team with Recovery Coach to meet the co-occurring needs of TAYA
• Attend System of Care and other system meetings to infuse youth and young adult’s voice and perspective.
• Meet individually with youth and family and submit report to the supervisor or coordinator.
• Collect data to support quality improvement
• Maintain Social Marketing strategies developed through the grant

• GED or high school diploma and 2 years experience working with children/adolescents; OR Bachelor’s degree in human services field from an accredited university and one year experience working with children/adolescents
• Requires a current driver’s license and reliable vehicle for transportation
• Ability to work effectively with other community agencies
• Requires good organization skills and comfort negotiating multi-level systems on behalf of client and program
• Experience overcoming difficult situations and preferably personal experience with mental health services. Lived experience is defined as: the personal experience of living with and overcoming a mental health/substance abuse/traumatic life concern which has caused difficulties in one or more areas of life. A person with lived experience will also have had valuable experience in navigating or using community resources, therapeutic services, or other supports to overcome the challenges.
• Must be 21 years and over
• Understanding/willingness to be part of a program that supports youth and families 24 hours per day, 365 days per year
• Self-motivated
• Involves repetitive motion activities for documentation and data input on computer
• Works well with Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and navigates through the internet
• Bilingual English/Spanish preferred

The Gándara Mental Health Center provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training