Peer Mentor

Job title: Peer Mentor

Promotes and elevates foster voice and engagement within child welfare and youth-serving programs. Serves as a liaison between foster youth and program leadership by facilitating youth advisory boards, conducting focus groups, participating in administrative reviews, and providing feedback to improve services and outcomes for youth. Assists youth in identifying resources, developing life skills, and ensuring their perspectives are represented in program development and evaluation.

Major responsibilities and duties:

Provides safe and effective services

• Adheres to policies related to safety and boundaries with service recipients.
• Attends safety and abuse risk management training as assigned.
• Adheres to procedures related to managing high-risk activities and supervising service recipients.
• Reports suspicious or inappropriate behaviors and policy violations.
• Follows mandated abuse reporting requirements.
• Adheres to policies and procedures related to Medication Administration for service recipients.

Serves as a peer mentor

• Participates in up to 15 Administrative Reviews per month, or as many as assigned.
• Takes detailed notes during reviews and submits documentation to the Administrative Review Coordinator.
• Provides constructive input and feedback during reviews when appropriate.
• Offers information, referrals, and resources to youth as needed.
• Follows up with youth regarding identified needs and available support services.
• Recruits youth participants for regional Youth Advisory Boards.
• Plans, coordinates, and facilitates Youth Advisory Board meetings and activities.
• Develops leadership opportunities and training initiatives designed to strengthen youth engagement and advocacy.
• Encourages meaningful youth participation in program development and decision-making processes.
• Collaborates with the Statewide Youth Advisory Board to discuss regional concerns, recommendations, and progress.
• Shares youth feedback and recommendations with leadership and stakeholders.
• Assists in advancing statewide youth engagement initiatives.
• Coordinates and facilitates quarterly regional Youth Focus Groups.
• Gathers and documents feedback from participating youth.
• Prepares written summaries and reports of focus group findings.
• Communicates trends, concerns, and recommendations to program leadership.
• Assists with the facilitation of life skills training for youth ages 14-17 in foster care and youth ages 18-21 who are not enrolled in Extended Foster Care (EFC).
• Supports youth in developing skills related to independent living, self-advocacy, education, employment, and community engagement.

Knowledge, skills, and abilities:

• Knowledge of youth development principles and practices.
• Knowledge of child welfare systems and services.
• Knowledge of community resources available to youth and young adults.
• Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills.
• Presentation and group facilitation skills.
• Active listening and conflict resolution skills.
• Organizational and time management skills.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office applications.
• Ability to effectively engage and build trust with youth from diverse backgrounds.
• Ability to facilitate discussions and encourage youth participation.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and professional boundaries.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Ability to assess youth needs and connect them with appropriate resources.
• Ability to represent youth perspectives in a professional and constructive manner.

Required qualifications:

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Minimum 21 years of age required.
• Experience as a foster youth or working closely with foster youth.

Preferred qualifications:

• Experience in youth advocacy, mentoring, peer support, child welfare, foster care, or related human services work preferred.
• Experience facilitating groups, trainings, or youth engagement activities preferred.

Other duties:

• This job description incorporates the essential functions and duties required for this position. However, other duties may be required and assigned at times and as determined by a supervisor in order to meet the needs of the organization.
• Serves as a role model in carrying out activities and behaviors that reflect the values and principles of the Boys Town mission.

Physical requirements, equipment usage, work environment:

• Reasonably expected to have and maintain sufficient agility and endurance to perform all job requirements (including stressful situations – physically, mentally, and emotionally) encountered on the job without compromising health and well-being or that of fellow employees, youth, or families. Must have sufficient ability to see, hear, speak, and mobility to monitor youth, assist and perform daily household chores, and participate in activities with youth. Subject to outside environmental conditions occasionally and inside conditions frequently. Includes constant interruptions, inappropriate behaviors, and the potential for verbal and physical threats from youth.
• Care and respect for others is foundational to the organization. The organization cultivates a culture of belonging for all employees that respects their individual strengths, views, and experiences. Differences help the team make better decisions, drive innovation, and deliver better results.
• About the organization: The organization has a long history of changing the way America cares for children and families. Its employees are its most important supporters in achieving the mission. The organization offers various benefits including health, retirement, tuition reimbursement, parenting resources, and professional development opportunities. Working at the organization is more than a job; it is a way of life.

This advertisement describes the general nature of work to be performed and does not include an exhaustive list of all duties, skills, or abilities required. The organization is an equal employment opportunity employer and participates in the E-Verify program. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, national origin, age, disability, or veteran status.