Youth Peer Support Specialist

Position summary

Position Title

Youth Peer Support Specialist Work Schedule: Full-Time (40hr/week) Position Type: 1 FTE Supervisor: Program Manager

Description

The Youth Peer Support Specialist (YPSS) provides culturally responsive, trauma-informed peer support services to youth ages 14–21. This role is rooted in lived experience and the values of positive youth development, harm reduction, and peer leadership. YPSS staff create safe, affirming, and youth-driven spaces both at the Drop-in Center and through mobile “Pop-Drop” outreach, ensuring that all youth have access to support on their own terms. YPSS are not authority figures, but trusted peers who share lived experience and provide individualized support, group facilitation, crisis response, and resource navigation.

Our Benefits

• We offer 100% employer-paid comprehensive medical, dental, and vision group health insurance.
• Enjoy 12 paid holidays, including your birthday!
• Take advantage of our 403b retirement plan.
• Access our employee assistance program.
• Generous paid time off plan.
• Professional development assistance.

Application Process

At Youth ERA, we take our hiring process seriously to ensure we find the right candidate for the job. Our interview process typically consists of two stages: an initial phone interview, followed by a secondary Zoom interview with the hiring supervisors. However, the process may be subject to change based on management's decision, and in some cases, an onsite meet and greet may be required to make a final decision. We appreciate your interest in joining our team at Youth ERA. For more information about our organization, please visit our website at www.youthera.org. Equal Opportunity Employer Statement At Youth ERA, we are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all our employees and applicants for employment. We strictly prohibit any form of discrimination or harassment based on 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 aspects of employment, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training. We believe in creating a workplace that values diversity, promotes inclusivity, and respects the rights of all individuals. Trauma-Informed Care Statement At Youth ERA, we're committed to providing trauma-informed care to youth in our community, and this commitment also extends to our staff. We believe that by prioritizing trauma-informed care in all aspects of our organization, we can create a workplace that's supportive, inclusive, and empowering for everyone. With this mindset, we aim to grow our team's resilience so we can, in turn, provide the best possible care, support, and experience to our youth participants.

Specific responsibilities include

• ●
• One-on-One
• Peer
• Support: Provide individualized emotional support, mentorship, and goal-setting tailored to each youth’s needs. ●
• Peer-Led
• Groups &
• Workshops: Facilitate identity-affirming groups (e.g., LGBTQIA2S+, BIPOC affinity spaces), skill-building workshops, and life skills programming. ●
• Crisis
• Response &
• De-Escalation: Offer immediate, nonjudgmental intervention during emotional distress or mental health crises. ●
• System
• Navigation: Help youth access housing, education, employment, healthcare, and other community resources. ●
• Maintain
• Youth-Led
• Spaces: Foster safe, inclusive, and engaging environments at the Drop-in Center and during mobile outreach. ●
• Rural
• Outreach: Deliver peer support through Pop-Drop programming in Sandy, Molalla, Canby, and Oregon City. ●
• Affirming
• Gear &
• Harm
• Reduction: Provide access to affirming gear (e.g., binders, tucking garments) with education on safe use; distribute harm reduction supplies such as Narcan and fentanyl test strips. ●
• Identity-Affirming &
• Trauma-Informed
• Support: Offer discreet, confidential support for closeted or unsafe youth, including safety planning and private check-ins. ●
• Community
• Engagement: Support youth advisory councils, school partnerships, and outreach events that normalize mental health, promote recovery, and reduce stigma. ●
• Data &
• Compliance: Document services in Fidelity EHR, ensuring accurate tracking of encounters, crisis interventions, and youth outcomes in line with county and OHA standards.

Requirements

● Identification as a peer with lived experience in youth-serving systems (e.g., mental health, recovery, foster care, juvenile justice, LGBTQIA2S+ identity). ● Ability to build authentic relationships with youth, especially marginalized populations. ● Willingness to travel across Clackamas County, with flexibility to work evenings and weekends. ● Valid driver’s license, reliable vehicle, and insurance. ● Strong interpersonal and advocacy skills; including the capacity to communicate and work effectively with individuals from diverse backgrounds and cultures. ● Proficiency with Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, and electronic health record systems (Fidelity EHR preferred).

Preferred Qualifications

● Previous experience in peer support, youth leadership, or advocacy. ● Familiarity with harm reduction, positive youth development, and crisis response. ● Multilingual, especially Spanish/English. ● CPR, First Aid, and Oregon Food Handler’s certifications (or willingness to obtain).

Preferred Certifications: ● First Aid Certification ● Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Certification ● Oregon Food Handlers Card

Professional Development and Support

● Enrollment in Youth Era’s Peer Plus certification and other required OHA-approved trainings. ● Ongoing supervision and coaching from certified peer supervisors. ● Annual $500 professional development allowance. ● Trauma-informed, supportive workplace culture with wellness resources.