Youth Peer Support Associate

Reports to: Manager of Youth Peer Support

FSLA Status: Full-Time, Non-Exempt

Salary: $50,000 - $60,000

Hours: 32 hours per week, Monday through Thursday 10 AM – 6 PM, Friday 10 AM – 2 PM, evening and weekend hours as needed. Hybrid work schedule with 2-3 days in the office.

About NAMI-NYC:

Guided by lived experience and evidence-based practices, the National Alliance on Mental Illness of New York City (NAMI-NYC) helps families and individuals affected by mental illness build better lives through education, support, and advocacy. We offer evidence-based education classes, 40+ support groups, family mentoring, a multilingual Helpline, and more to family members and individuals completely FREE regardless of income, insurance, or immigration status. We’re also the only non-profit directly supporting family members caring for those with mental illness.

NAMI-NYC also advocates for affordable, culturally responsive mental healthcare, mental health education in schools, and decriminalizing mental illness to break the endless cycle of psychiatric hospitalizations, homelessness, and incarceration.

Check out our website at www.naminyc.org and follow us on social.

Position Description:

We are excited to continue to build our Program and Services team and expand our work to serve adolescents. We’re looking for an incredible Youth Peer Support Associate who is creative and has a can-do attitude. If you enjoy rolling up your sleeves and getting things done, you’ll likely be a great fit. We’re looking for an experienced peer (an individual living with a mental health challenge) OR a family member of someone living with a mental health challenge who is passionate about youth mental health. Someone who can punch above their weight.

As a Youth Peer Support Associate, you will play a crucial role in mentoring and supporting young people within our community. You will serve as a positive role model, advocate, and resource for youth participants, fostering an environment of inclusivity, empowerment, and mutual support.

The sky is the limit, and innovative ideas are not only welcomed but encouraged. We can’t wait to see what our Youth Peer Support Associate can do.

Your Responsibilities:

To perform this job successfully, you must be able to perform the following satisfactorily; other duties may be assigned. Reasonable accommodation may be coordinated to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Assist in the planning, coordination, and delivery of youth programs and activities.
• Schedule and oversee youth peer (ages 14-18) and/or near-peer (18-24) volunteers within the Youth Program
• Collaborate with volunteers to co-facilitate support groups for teens ages 14-18. Help to train, model, and develop co-facilitators to increase their knowledge and comfort in running support groups.
• Chair regular debrief sessions with volunteers to provide support and elicit feedback
• Work with the Helpline to return calls to youth to offer support, educate regarding NAMI-NYC services and connect with resources. Actively listen to concerns and provide non-judgmental support in a confidential manner
• Coordinate logistics of Youth Mental Health Advisory Group including scheduling, setup, taking minutes, preparing youth to present, etc.
• Provide guidance, mentorship, and emotional support to participants of the Youth Council. Facilitate monthly meetings, coordinate scheduling and communications, document meeting outcomes, and support teens in developing action plans and outreach efforts.
• Maintain accurate records of participant attendance, activities, and outcomes.
• Enter all program data in the internal database(s) in a timely manner and report data regularly
• Distribute program evaluations to youth participants and track completion
• Attend internal and external meetings
• Represent the organization at community outreach events and coordinating youth volunteer participation, speaking on panels, and participating in media interviews.
• Support and participate in other NAMI-NYC events, as requested
• Other duties as assigned

Your Qualifications:

• You have 1+ years’ experience working with young people in a community or social service setting.
• You have relevant experience with coordination
• Experience with program and/or volunteer coordination preferred
• You have familiarity with social media and digital communication tools to engage with youth and promote the program.

What Makes You Successful:

• High level of empathy for others and the ability to connect with youth on a personal level.
• Strong advocacy skills with the ability to motivate and mobilize youth.
• You have lived experience. You understand what it’s personally like to have mental health challenges or you’re a family member or close friend to someone who does.
• Comfortable to share personal experiences and insights to help youth navigate challenges and set goals.
• You are resilient and can handle stressful situations calmly and effectively.
• You have good interpersonal and communication skills, both verbal and written.
• You are proficient in the use of personal computers, Zoom and Microsoft applications
• You have a go-with-the-flow attitude and sense of humor--that’s nonprofit life.
• You have lived experience. You understand what it’s personally like to have mental health challenges or you’re a family member or close friend to someone who does.

Benefits: We believe in taking care of our team. Our benefits reflect our commitment to a healthy, balanced workplace.

• Work Environment: Fully hybrid model with 2-3 days in the office – coffee and snacks provided in-office
• Schedule: 4.5 day work week
• Paid Time Off: 20 days annually, with an increase at the third year of employment
• Sick Time: 6 days annually
• Holidays: 10 holidays PLUS two “rest up” weeks – including the week between Christmas Day and New Years, and the week before 4th of July.
• Health Coverage: Medical, dental, and vision coverage
• Retirement: 401(k) with employer matching
• Additional Coverage: Employer-paid life insurance, pre-tax commuter benefits, access to professional development and training opportunities

Physical Demands:

You must occasionally lift and/or move equipment. Evening and weekend work is occasionally required.

The above job description is not intended to be an all-inclusive list of duties and standards of the position. Incumbents will follow any other instructions, and perform any other related duties, as assigned by their supervisor.

To Apply: We can’t wait to hear from you. Submit

your resume and cover letter with responses to the following questions to

jobs@naminyc.org with "Youth Peer Support Associate" in the subject

line. No Phone Calls, please.

• What strategies would you use to gain trust with teens?
• Can you name 2-3 social media accounts (influencer, media or brand accounts) that you believe have a positive impact on youth? Why?

Benefits: We believe in taking care of our team. Our benefits reflect our commitment to a healthy, balanced workplace.

• Work Environment: Fully hybrid model with 2-3 days in the office – coffee and snacks provided in-office
• Schedule: 4.5 day work week
• Paid Time Off: 20 days annually, with an increase at the third year of employment
• Sick Time: 6 days annually
• Holidays: 10 holidays PLUS two “rest up” weeks – including the week between Christmas Day and New Years, and the week before 4th of July.
• Health Coverage: Medical, dental, and vision coverage
• Retirement: 401(k) with employer matching
• Additional Coverage: Employer-paid life insurance, pre-tax commuter benefits, access to professional development and training opportunities