POSITION DESCRIPTION: Advocacy Unlimited offers holistic, peer-led, education, advocacy, and support in the areas of mental health, addiction, and trauma recovery. We believe all people have the innate capacity to create a life of self-defined purpose beyond a psychiatric diagnosis and addiction histories. All members of the team champion recovery resources as part of the continuum of care and model recovery with collective care, accountability, and ethics. To learn more, please go to www.advocacyunlimited.org
The position of Youth Peer Bridger is based in Rocky Hill, Connecticut. The Youth Peer Bridger is a member of the AU team. Youth Peer Bridgers provide brief, transitional peer support to young people aged 14-17. Youth Peer Bridgers are mobile and work with youth participants across CT. This is not a crisis intervention service or case management.
Important attributes expected of applicants include cultural humility, trauma responsive, gender affirming, recovery oriented, person centered, situationally aware, strong boundaries, high degree of integrity and ethical standards, excellent communication skills, a sense of humor, flexible, consistent, reliable, growth oriented, solution focused, and patience.
FULL-TIME NON-EXEMPT EMPLOYMENT: The position is 37.5 regularly scheduled hours per week, not to exceed 40 hours. $26.00 per hour. 180-day introductory period with Performance Evaluation at the conclusion of this period. Opportunity for an additional longevity payment, and standard benefits outlined in the Advocacy Unlimited Personnel Handbook. This is a CT Department of Children & Families grant funded project that will extend from 1/1/2026-6/30/2027. REPORTS TO: Youth Peer Bridger Program Manager
ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES:
- Provide 1:1 peer support to at least 15 participants living in Connecticut, annually, and no more than 6, concurrently.
- Meet with participants who may be living at home, attending school, incarcerated, hospitalized, or unhoused.
- Assist participants with creating recovery plans and move toward achieving goals.
- Host youth groups at community sites one evening per week.
- Connect participants with community resources.
- Establish and maintain relationships with schools, local hospitals, community behavioral health organizations, DCF Area Offices, and the Judicial Branch.
- Educate and support family members and natural supporters
- Regularly complete in community outreach, advocacy, referrals, and education on peer recovery resources.
- Practice and adhere to ethical standards for peer support and the role.
- Maintain up to date and accurate records of all work-related activities.
- Meet all contractual obligations and reporting requirements.
- Successfully complete the youth peer support training, and participate in ongoing professional development
- Attend team meetings and participate in staff training.
- Onsite in Rocky Hill 1.5 days per week, with statewide travel.
- Some nights and weekends, as scheduled.
- Other duties as assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS:
Recovery Support Specialist Professional or eligible for training, required advocacyunlimited.org/programs/rss-training
2+ years delivering direct support in human services or related field
Bilingual, Spanish speaking, preferred with compensation
Experience offering support to people and community groups from diverse backgrounds
Interest and experience working with youth and adolescents
Must have a reliable vehicle, clean driving record, up to date Motor Vehicle Insurance and Driver’s License
Background checks are required
SKILLS:
Collaborative Decision Making
Personal Accountability
Understanding and ability to exercise good judgement and maintain appropriate boundaries
Strategic Thinking
Self-led
Creative Problem Solving
Communication, both written and verbal
Microsoft Office 365
To apply send a cover letter and resume to [email protected].