Youth Peer Support Facilitator (Part-time)

Description

WHO WE ARE

Since 1993, The Pathfinder Network (TPN) has been providing justice-system impacted individuals and their families the tools and support they need to be safe and thrive in our communities. We serve individuals experiencing incarceration, those reentering the community, those on forms of community supervision, their families, and their children, within 9 of Oregon’s 11 corrections facilities and in the community in Multnomah, Jackson, Marion, and Clackamas Counties. We develop and deliver a comprehensive scope of evidence-based, trauma-, gender- and culturally-responsive cognitive behavioral-based programs, including our proprietary, evidence-based curriculum Parenting Inside Out, which is the highest-rated parenting skills curriculum for parents involved with the criminal justice system. Our community programs feature holistic wraparound individual and group support and services. We serve an average of 3,000 people a year agency-wide.

We show up for our employees by providing support and resources in six key areas that make up our total package, and we always strive to expand on what we offer: compensation, development, wellness, benefits, recognition and service. This includes:

• Generous paid sick time
• 17 paid days of significance each year 
• Extended holiday days of significance with a week off at the end of the year and 3 4-day weekends
• Paid 30-minute lunch breaks
• Mental wellness hours
• 401k retirement plan with 3% employer match, fully vested immediately
• Employment with TPN may mean you are eligible for Public Service Student Loan forgiveness
• Employee recognition program
• Employee Assistance Plan, professional development opportunities, and much more!

We are intentional about building a healthy and thriving organizational culture and envision a community of staff, partners, volunteers, and donors who are deeply committed to equitable, just and anti-racist practices in every facet of our organization. We engage in continual learning and seek ways to operationalize equitable and inclusive practices. We believe every member on our team enriches our diversity by exposing us to a broad range of ways to understand and engage with the world, identify challenges, and to discover, design and deliver solutions.

At TPN, we envision communities that welcome all people, provide second chances, and create pathways to change. We believe all people have the capacity to change. We honor the dignity and worth of every individual, engage our clients and employees with compassion, and bring excellence to all we do. To learn more, go to https://www.thepathfindernetwork.org/about/.

HIRING PRACTICES

We admit that there is no such thing as the perfect candidate. Don’t be discouraged if you don’t meet each and every position requirement – instead, use your application to let us know what excites you about the role and what transferable skills or other qualities you would like to bring to TPN!

If reasonable accommodation or an alternative form of this application are needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact our Director of People and Culture at [email protected] or 503.892.5396.

TPN hires a workforce representative of the communities we serve, understanding that a diverse workforce strengthens our organization. We value diversity and support a positive and welcoming environment where all employees can thrive.

In practice, this means we do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, status as a parent, marital status, political affiliation, or military or veteran status. We also take seriously the idea that our work benefits from a genuine commitment to diversity, by considering applications from individuals representing all kinds of backgrounds.

TPN is offering a $250 referral bonus for community members who refer a new employee to one of our open positions!*

WHAT YOU WILL BE COUNTED ON TO DO 

Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply for jobs unless they believe they meet every one of the qualifications as described in a job description. We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job, and that candidate may be one who comes from a less traditional background. 

 As a Youth Peer Support Facilitator, you will provide group peer support services to justice system-involved youth as a part of the youth branch of the Resilience & Recovery Project. You will facilitate groups adhering to the curriculum in its intended format while maintaining fidelity through a standardized evidence-based delivery model in institutional and community settings. You will work to support the mission, vision and values of the Pathfinder Network and engage with participants in a holistic, strengths-based, gender-, trauma- and culturally-responsive, person- and healing-centered way. Your work will support the efforts of our partners to provide a continuum of services that emphasize prevention of further criminal activity and to create community safety through restorative justice.  

We are looking for applicants who have personal lived experience with the juvenile justice system to deliver relevant, realistic, and relatable individual and group peer support services to youth. Your lived experience, relational and collaborative skills, capability to work well under high-stress emotional experiences, high-level of empathy, and ability to keep strong boundaries will enable you to thrive in this position and consistently deliver high quality services with impact and excellence. 

Responsibilities 

• Facilitate groups using standardized and evidence-based curriculum and delivery models at a variety of program locations. 
• Plan, review, and prepare materials for facilitation of groups. 
• Support the development and maintenance of group schedules and building and closing of groups. 
• Implement appropriate interventions and service models to provide holistic support. 
• Teach, coach and model positive recovery, cognitive and social skills individually and in groups. 
• Reinforce positive behaviors and progress. Use incentives to motivate behavior and remove barriers for participants.  
• Communicate and follow up with participants to keep them engaged in groups. 
• Enroll participants in services and support their engagement.  
• Provide drop-in peer support services.  
• Complete all required documentation and track participant attendance and participation. Complete thorough and timely case notes. 
• Work with parole and probation officers, DHS workers and/or other community providers to ensure participant compliance and success. 
• Provide information and referrals. Coordinate services with other providers, including child welfare, mental health, substance use treatment providers, and other social services. Maintain communication with other providers, as necessary. 
• Assist youth in developing and maintaining positive relationships with family members and other supportive adults. 
• Support justice-involved youth in successful engagement with community supervision. 
• Connect parents and caregivers to services through the Resilience & Recovery Project.  
• Serve as a community advocate for justice-involved youth. 
• Act as a mandatory reporter. 
• Other duties as assigned.   

Participation in Shared Leadership (=5% of your time) 

• Be a champion in the shaping and sustaining of a diverse, equitable, inclusive and just workplace, with a focus towards creating racial equity. 
• Participate on cross-departmental teams or committees regarding organizational policies, processes and work environment 
• Participate in Temporary Teams, Equity Team, Employee Resource Groups, and other teams 
• Contribute individualized skills, knowledge, experience and expertise to help the agency reach its mission  

WHO YOU WILL BE COUNTED ON TO BE  

Required Cultural Values: Staff are expected to embody certain cultural values to support TPN’s mission: communicate effectively, value one another, show respect, demonstrate accountability, display a high level of self-awareness, participate in shared leadership and continuous growth and learning, live values of diversity, equity, inclusion and justice and engage in personal work to further DEIJ values and impact. 

Commitment to Racial Justice. Staff are expected to interact effectively across racially diverse teams, partners, and experiences, apply a racial equity lens in their work and commit to the ongoing work required to move TPN toward a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive and just organization. 

Requirements

 Experience and skills we are interested in: 

• Lived experience with the juvenile justice system 
• Lived experience with addiction and recovery and/or adult criminal justice involvement 
• Certification or eligibility to be certified as a Youth Peer Support Specialist, Certified Recovery Mentor, Peer Support Specialist or Traditional Health Worker, and/or Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor  
• Released from prison/jail and completed all forms of community supervision no less than two years ago. 
• Must be in recovery from substance use dependence and have a minimum of 2 years recovery. 
• A high school diploma or equivalent is required 
• Experience working with youth  
• Experience facilitating groups 
• Awareness of Trauma-Informed and restorative justice practices and approaches 
• Basic level computer capabilities in use of web-based environments, word processing, email, and spreadsheet data entry 
• Must pass a criminal history background check (a criminal record is not automatically disqualifying), employment verification, motor vehicle records check, and drug screen (which does not include testing for marijuana). 

*Referral bonuses are payable after 60 days of employment to new employees in good standing who hold the required certifications. New candidates should specify in the job application who they were referred by, and the community member will also complete this form. 

OTHER INFORMATION 

Working Conditions/Travel Requirements 

This job operates within an institutional and community service delivery setting. This is largely a sedentary role and this role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets, and fax machines. 

The Pathfinder Network follows public health guidance for any public health emergencies and will remain in compliance with any vaccination or isolation requirements from partner agencies.  

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to use hands to finger, handle or feel; and reach with hands and arms. 

This is a part-time, non-exempt position working 15-25 hours per week. Typical days of work are Monday through Friday. Shifts include afternoon and evening hours, typically between the hours of 12:30pm - 8:30pm. 

Some travel is required in the community and to meetings and training. Travel to TPN administrative office in Portland, Oregon and program sites across the state may be required periodically with advanced notice.  

Please note this position description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice. 

Compensation and Benefits: This is a non-exempt, part-time position. The hiring range for this position is approximately $23.33 - $24.03 per hour. Pay offers are determined in conjunction with an internal pay equity assessment.

For more information on our total compensation and benefits, visit The Pathfinder Network • Work With Us