Careers

About the Fellowship

MentorHub Fellows are San Bernadino County residents ages 18-24 with personal lived experience with mental health and/or substance use issues, trauma, system involvement, identify as a part of an underserved population or have provided care or support to a close family member of any of the above and a willingness to share their journey with purpose and intent. Through this paid, one year career-advancing program, Fellows spend 15-20 hours a week:

• Completing training and examination requirements leading to MediCal Peer Support Specialist Certification
• Participating in ongoing activities to support skill development and workplace readiness including individual supervision, targeted training and fellowship cohort meetings.
• Working with various community partners for hands on field experience
• Providing 1-1 and group support and mentorship to mentees ages 12 and up
• Completing required documentation and administrative tasks

As a Peer Support Specialist working in a variety of settings, peer specialists will (1) use personal lived experience to connect with, validate, inspire, and provide support to youth and young adults with mental health, substance use or other identified challenges; (2) meet individually with youth & young adults to provide one-on-one peer support; (3) collaborate with parents/caregivers (as appropriate) and other service providers to ensure youth & young adults needs are met, at the request and consent of the individual receiving support; (4) support advisory groups and youth & young adult generated activities and events; and (5) provide their perspective in team meetings to educate and ensure services are youth & young adult attuned.

Responsibilities

• Complete the MediCal Peer Support Specialist training program and pass the certification exam.
• Provide individual support to youth & young adults who choose to engage with a peer mentor.
• Collaborate with other members of the youth & young adult’s support network engage, assess, partner, and support youth and young adults who are looking for support (as appropriate at the request of the individual).
• Share personal journey with purpose and intent to youth & young adults in order to establish mutuality, validate, demonstrate empathy, inspire, and motivate while maintaining ethical boundaries and avoiding re-traumatization of self or others.
• Develop strong working alliances & maintain healthy relational boundaries with all identified stakeholders.
• Partner with youth and young adults to identify their strengths, needs, desires and goals.
• Assist team in partnering with, engaging, and retaining youth & young adults in necessary services (e.g. making appropriate referrals, identifying additional resources).
• Promote youth & young adult sharing, learning, and growth through role modeling and reflecting. Support youth & young adults in developing practical steps to reach goals.
• Facilitate and co-facilitate groups and activities with team members.
• Support youth and young adults to identify and build community and natural supports. 
• Assist youth & young adults in developing self-advocacy skills and personal empowerment. Serve as a role model to clients in creating and maintaining healthy boundaries and relationships, communication, health and wellness, and conflict management.
• Participate in supervision, team meetings, agency required training (e.g. Core Elements of Young Adult Peer Mentoring), and external trainings as applicable to the position.
• Document contacts & activities with youth & young adults per funder and agency requirements 
• Follow all agency policies and procedures.
• Promptly and regularly utilize supervisor for guidance with any concerns or escalations with mentees or community partners.
• Perform other duties based on program need; adjustments to be discussed with supervisor prior to implementation or assignment.

Qualifications

• Must have personal experience living with mental health and/or substance use challenges, trauma, system involvement (foster care, justice system) or identify as a member of underserved populations. The purpose of this program is to find fellows to best represent and serve a broad range of mentees. As such, those with intersectional identities and experiences are highly encouraged to apply. This includes, but is not limited to, the BIPOC or LGBTQIA+ communities, English learners, migrants, (self or close family members), neurodiverse, resident of a rural community, etc., Additionally, providing care or support to a close family member that has experienced any of the above is also acceptable.  
• Willingness to share their journey with purpose and intent
• High School Diploma/GED
• Access to reliable transportation and internet connection.
• Good listening skills, ability to hold a space of nonjudgment, embrace self-determination and the desire to work in the community with family and youth.
• Ability to establish trusting relationships through mutuality, compassion, and empathy.
• Computer proficiency is required including ability to work with email, and to learn electronic health record and word processing software.
• Must be authorized to work in the US.

Additional Requirements and Expectations 

The expectation of this role is 15-20 hours a week for most weeks. There will be variability based on initial trainings, holidays and individual needs which will be determined at the discretion of the fellowship supervisor.

At its core, this fellowship is a collaborative process, therefore the scheduling of recurring meetings and trainings will rely heavily on the needs and availability of the cohort. This will be discussed and established in the first weeks of the program. As such, it is anticipated there will be consistent days of the week and times that require attendance. The fellowship supervisor will do all they can to ensure flexibility and accessibility for participants, so please be aware and open about any concerns with availability.

Background checks

Due to MentorHub’s relationship with WIOA, background checks are a required part of this process for selected individuals. At MentorHub we truly believe that the lived experience of the individual is a powerful tool and should not be a barrier to employment as long as any history does not interfere with the ability to provide safe and effective support.

Timeline

Applications will close when all spots are filled.

The interview and selection process is expected to conclude in late August and onboarding/training will begin in early September 2024.