Youth Advocate Peer Mentor | YCCS

Job Category: Operations
-Community Service

Requisition Number: YOUTH
003120

• Posted :
  January 21, 2026
• Full-Time

Showing 1 location

Springfield, MA 01105, USA

Why Work For Gandara

Explore the career pathways in Behavioral Health, Substance Use and Recovery, Community Based Clinical services, Adolescent and Family services, Adult Residential, Maintenance and Administration! Whether that is in an entry level or leadership role, Gandara will provide the tools and resources to better enhance your career growth. The opportunities are presented with the ability to transition your skills and experience in meeting the organizations mission.

There is grand landscape of opportunities that supports the community we serve, so Join the Gándara team today!

• Health, Dental, Vision, Pet and Life Insurance
• Paid vacations
• Paid holidays
• 8 discretionary days
• Mileage Reimbursement
• Hourly Range | $17.64 - $20

Job Title:Peer Mentor

Work Location:Agawam, MA

* Bilingual Candidates Encouraged to Apply

* EOE M/F/D/V

* Union/Non-Union

Job Summary:

The Youth Advocate Peer Mentor , structured, one-to-one, strength-based support services for the purpose of addressing daily living, social, and communication needs. Services are designed to support age-appropriate social functioning or ameliorate deficits in the youth’s age-appropriate social functioning. Youth Advocate Peer Mentor services include supporting, coaching, and training the youth in age-appropriate behaviors, interpersonal communication, problem-solving and conflict resolution, and relating appropriately to other children and adolescents, as well as adults.

The Youth Advocate Peer Mentor creates strategic activities in order to meet a pre-established goal.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Direct time with youth engaged in activities in the program that are designed to address one or more goals on the youth’s existing treatment plan, or ICP.
• Provide coaching, supporting, and training in order to ensure the youth’s success in navigating various social contexts, learning new skills, and making functional progress.
• Maintains phone and face-to-face consultation with youth on a regular basis (i.e. at least weekly and as often as necessary)
• Collaborate with other necessary individuals the youth and family may have contact with, such as Case Managers, Probation Officers, Judges, District Attorneys, Attorneys, Teachers, Physicians, etc.
• Demonstrated ability to be innovative, creative, analytical, and decisive in problem-solving.
• Demonstrated communications and organizational skills
• Awareness and sensitivity to contextual variables such as race, culture, gender, sexuality, disability, economics, and lived experience.
• Submit detailed progress reports and follow compliance guidelines
• Provides client with transportation for treatment-related activities

Minimum Qualifications:

• Degree
  
  Required:
  
  Must possess a minimum of a high school diploma/GED.
• 2 year’sminimum required experience (volunteering or working with youth)
• Bilingual Preferred (Spanish/English)

The Gándara Mental Health Center provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

Equal Opportunity Employer This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.