Community Support & Youth Training Specialist (Multiple Positions)(Closes 8/24)

This position is full-time and operates under the primary direction of the Senior Manager, Community Wellness Team within the Office of Behavioral Health (OBH), Allegheny County Department of Human Services (DHS). The incumbent will be an employee of partner agency Community Family Advocates, working onsite at Allegheny County DHS.

About the role

The OBH Community Support & Youth Training Specialist supports Stand Together, a behavioral health anti-stigma initiative that trains, equips, and inspires middle and high school students to act against stigma directed at their peers. The role also ensures OBH programs, activities, initiatives, and contracted services engage service users, present their interests, and promote recovery principles. The specialist serves as an OBH recovery liaison to contracted and community providers—including police, courts, payers, evaluators, social services, and housing programs—as well as the OBH liaison to the Allegheny County Coalition for Recovery (ACCR), family members, caregivers, consumers, and volunteers. The incumbent gives peer voice to service users in office program and policy development.

Responsibilities

• Conduct Stand Together trainings in designated schools.
• Provide ongoing technical assistance to Stand Together schools.
• Visit Stand Together student projects.
• Assist with planning the Stand Together Recognition Event.
• Provide training to Stand Together partners outside Allegheny County as needed.
• Work with OBH staff (both MH and D&A units) and community partners/providers to promote, integrate, and use recovery practices and principles.
• Assist in developing recovery-focused materials and policies for providers, OBH staff, coalitions, and professional workgroups.
• Provide or organize trainings about wellness and recovery practices and principles.
• Provide or organize trainings addressing stigma toward adults and youth with mental and/or substance use disorders.
• Promote the hiring of people in recovery to provide peer support and professional services.
• Participate in local, regional, and statewide committees, workgroups, and advisory committees as assigned.
• Assist with initiatives focusing on recovery, wellness, and resiliency with transition-age youth.
• Promote peer support activities.
• Assist with the development and management of recovery initiatives, including necessary logistics and administrative details.
• Assist in developing initiatives that promote community integration for adults and youth with mental and substance use disorders.
• Provide staff support and technical assistance to stakeholder groups such as ACCR, Certified Peer Specialist Advisory Committee, Recovery Oriented System of Care Initiative, Student Assistance Program, and other assigned groups.
• Perform additional tasks and duties as required by the employer.

Requirements

• Lived self-experience with mental health and/or drug and alcohol recovery is required.
• Familiarity with the behavioral health system from the service user perspective.
• Willingness and ability to self-disclose regarding that experience positively and appropriately.
• Some experience training or mentoring.
• Act 33 and 34 clearances.
• Reliable vehicle and valid driver’s license.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field, plus a minimum of 3 years of experience in a social service, human service, or healthcare profession; or
• Any equivalent combination of education and experience that meets the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.

Skills

• Ability to work effectively with behavioral health consumers.
• Knowledge about recovery and resilience principles and practices (preferred).
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook.
• Excellent organizational skills.
• Excellent communication skills, including the ability to write clearly and speak in front of groups.
• Ability to navigate community work assignments independently.
• Self-starter with the ability to initiate tasks for the department or office.

About the employer

DHS is a diverse organization striving for greater inclusion, equity in hiring and advancement, and creative collaboration across all levels. It values assertive leadership, problem-solvers, and innovators to ensure smart use of funding and impactful support for those in need. DHS aims to be a workplace where a diverse mix of talented people want to grow and do their best work.