Job Description

Level: Experienced
Job Location: Redding - Redding, CA 96002
Position Type: Full Time
Salary Range: $21.00 - $25.00 Hourly

Job Shift: Day
Job Category: Health CareJob Title: Peer Mentor Advocate
Department: Community Programs
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt
Reports To: CCBHC Program Manager
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM
Location: Redding and Eastern Shasta County

Position Summary
The Peer Mentor Advocate will provide direct, relationship-based support to young people involved with the justice system, probation, or who are at risk of system involvement. This position offers a unique opportunity to work alongside youth by building authentic connections, offering mentorship, and supporting them through care coordination, crisis response, system navigation, and conflict resolution.
Peer Mentor Advocates use their lived experience, empathy, and knowledge to help youth overcome barriers in the areas of family stability, school engagement, community connection, employment, and health. The role includes implementing direct social service support, mentoring, and promoting positive youth development to reduce criminal involvement and recidivism

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:
Youth Support & Mentoring
- Mentor, motivate, inspire, and empower youth by building trust and strength-based relationships.
- Assess youth needs through individualized care plans and provide in-house services, linkages, and referrals for identified needs.
- Provide crisis response, conflict resolution, and emotional support as needed.
- React well under pressure, treats others with respect and consideration regardless of their status or position.
- Accept responsibility for own actions.
- Put success of clients and team above own interests. Support everyone's efforts to succeed.
Care Coordination
- Assist youth in removing barriers to basic needs, including food, hygiene supplies, medical/dental/vision care, housing support, substance use treatment, and recreational activities.
- Support youth with appointment scheduling, accompaniment, transportation assistance, and coaching.
- Connect youth to employment and education pathways, assisting with job placement or enrollment in vocational or school programs.
- Respectful communication both verbal and written with clients, their families, collaborative agencies and staff.
Program Operations
- Coordinate public relations, build community partnerships and community outreach activities as assigned.
- Maintain accurate, timely documentation and ensure all reports are completed in accordance with program standards.
- Monitor youth progress toward program goals and provide regular updates to the team.
- Attend required community and company meetings, training, and quality assurance activities.
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively
- Perform other related duties as assigned by the Program Manager or Director.

Required Qualifications
- Lived experience with the criminal justice system (personal history of incarceration, successful re-entry, or having a family member who was incarcerated).
- Experience working with diverse communities and youth populations.
- Must be an experienced driver and comfortable transporting youth.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills; strong attention to detail in documentation.
- Strong work ethic, positive attitude, and a sense of humor.
- Background checks and required clearances must be completed prior to employment.
- CPR/AED & First Aid certification (Adult, Child, and Infant).
- A valid California driver’s license, clean driving record, reliable transportation, and current auto insurance.
- Minimum six months of experience working with youth from similar demographics.
- High school diploma or GED required, associate or bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, Social Work, Child Development, or related field preferred.
Math Ability:
Intermediate math skills required to assist youth with budgeting and financial planning. Must be able to add, subtract, multiply, and divide accurately.
Reasoning Ability:
High-level critical thinking and reasoning skills required.
Ability to assess mental status, identify risks, and determine the need for emergency interventions.
Ability to define problems, gather relevant information, evaluate options, and draw valid conclusions.
Computer Skills:
Proficiency with Windows operating systems, Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook), and online platforms.
Ability to use electronic health records and telecommunication tools such as Zoom, Teams, or Skype.
Equipment Skills:
Proficient with standard office equipment including computers, copiers, fax machines, printers, and multi-line telephone systems.

Work Environment:
The work environment includes indoor office settings, health clinic locations in the Redding Area and Round Mountain, vehicles, partner agencies, schools, homes of clients, and occasional outdoor or evening activities.
Physical Demands:
Regularly required to sit, talk, hear, write, and use hands to handle or feel objects.
Frequently required to stand, walk, and reach with hands and arms.
Occasionally required to climb, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.
Must be able to lift and/or move up to 10 pounds regularly and up to 25 pounds occasionally with assistance.
Must have adequate vision including close, distance, color, peripheral, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.