WHY WORK FOR OAKLAND FAMILY SERVICES?
We know that in order for you to do your best work and meet our mission, you must be able to be your best self. At Oakland Family Services (OFS), we care about our staff as people first. We treat our team members like family and understand the importance of their families at home. We recognize the significance of flexibility and work/life balance.
We also know that your success…is our success. That’s why OFS not only honors the talent and experience you bring; we actively seek to develop it.
Oakland Family Services has proudly been named a Top Workplace for ten (10) consecutive years, voted on by our own staff. We offer a warm, engaging, equitable, supportive, and inclusive work environment.
ABOUT OAKLAND FAMILY SERVICES
Oakland Family Services is a private, non-profit service organization serving our community and building brighter futures for more than 100 years. We proudly offer a continuum of prevention, education and treatment services that span the human life cycle.
OUR MISSION: Providing individuals and families the opportunity to build brighter futures.
OUR VISION: Communities of thriving individuals and families.
Between our strong commitment to our mission and a workplace culture that puts our staff first, we enrich the lives of those we serve, strengthen families, and build brighter futures for those we serve and those we employ.
WHAT’S IN IT FOR YOU?
- Competitive compensation.
- Comprehensive medical, dental, prescription, and vision coverage.
- Flexible Spending Accounts and HSA options.
- Retirement plan with a company match.
- Long-term disability insurance.
- Voluntary short-term disability.
- Life insurance and AD&D.
- Malpractice insurance.
- Paid time off benefits, including generous vacation, sick, personal, and bereavement days.
- Twelve (12) paid holidays, including a floating holiday of your choice!
- Annual pay increases, as approved.
- Employee assistance program for you and immediate family.
- Network of support for your health & well-being.
- Verizon cellular plan discount.
- Mileage reimbursement at the IRS rate.
- Loan forgiveness programs.
- Commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.
- Family friendly practices and support.
- Flexible work schedules, as appropriate.
- Hybrid and virtual work options, as appropriate.
- Highly robust and comprehensive onboarding and training program.
- Paid professional development.
- Free online trainings that count toward continuing education credits.
- Employee assistance programs.
- “Dress for Your Day” approach to dress code.
- Financial literacy education and workshops.
- Collaborative annual performance appraisals.
- “Casual for a Cause” program for clients and staff in need.
- And more!
…MORE ABOUT OUR AWARD-WINNING CULTURE
- Our CEO wants to get to know staff personally and has an open-door policy. She hosts regular staff lunches and townhalls to answer questions.
- Open, honest, and transparent communication is celebrated.
- We practice giving the benefit of the doubt.
- We believe that feedback is the breakfast of champions! That’s why we have a staff suggestion program.
- We want our team members to feel valued. That’s why we have a staff recognition program.
- Having FUN is an important part of the job! We love hosting events such as staff recognition celebrations and luncheons, road rallies, seasonal parties, food truck lunches, ice cream days, surprise giveaways, spirit weeks, Bring Your Child to Work Day, cook off/bake off contests, and more.
ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITY/WORK
The Youth Peer Support Specialist will act as a support and resource for youth with serious emotional disturbances (SED) who are receiving services in the Specialized Services for Youth program (SSY). The Youth Peer Support Specialist will act as a key member of the treatment team by working with youth one-on-one or in a groups, supporting them in achieving goals through shared activities and interventions. The Youth Peer Support Specialist will support youth empowerment by assisting youth in developing skills to improve their overall functioning and quality of life and working collaboratively with others involved in delivering the youth’s care. The position reports to the Outpatient Supervisor of Specialized Services for Youth.
Professional Practice
- Build and foster relationships with the youth, family and others working with the youth.
- Provide services to youth primarily in the home or community.
- Actively engage as part of the treatment team to meet youth needs, complete all required documentation and paperwork.
- Prepare the youth to fully participate in their own meetings and treatment planning process (including Wraparound, Family Centered Planning meetings, IPOS, IEP meetings, etc.).
- Teach self-advocacy, problem-solving and independent living skills.
- Provide support during “rough” or “crisis” times.
- Provide community education about youth culture and perspective.
- Empower the youth to build understanding in others about their unique mental health needs.
- In collaboration with the youth, work with other internal and external partners (i.e., schools, faith community, other human services organizations) to develop natural supports to eliminate barriers to services, enhance existing community services or develop new services based on the needs of the youth.
- Co-facilitate groups of youth focusing on goals as specified in the treatment plan.
- Provide consultation and education to individuals and groups, and use problem-solving techniques with the objective of assisting youth in improving or maintaining functioning.
- Serve as a role model and active participant in supporting youth in meeting their treatment plan goals.
- Document, in the form of written notes, in ODIN all family/individual contacts and/or activities conducted on their behalf.
- Conducts individual check-ins as necessary, provides check-in contact when clinicians are unavailable, as appropriate.
- Assists in facilitating community referrals to resources identified by the clinician, individual and family.
- Attends staff, team, and department meetings.
- Participate in mandatory trainings in accordance with the requirements of funders, OCHN and MDHHS.
- Facilitate Youth Advisory Council.
- Responsible for incorporating principles of diversity, equity and inclusion in work processes and in job functions. Responsible for promoting a feeling of welcoming, belonging, and acceptance to all clients and staff.
- Other duties as assigned.
Pay Rate: $15.35 - $18.00 per hour
