Are you a parent raising children or youth with mental/behavioral health concerns? Do you want to be an integral part of a parent-run team supporting and empowering families who have children with a mental/behavioral health diagnosis, Autism and/or other developmental delay? Do you have a passion for helping parents navigating a complex, child-serving system?
Kennebec Behavioral Health, established in 1960 to provide comprehensive mental health programs and named one of the Best Places to Work in Maine for the last 4 consecutive years, is seeking a Family Peer Specialist in our G.E.A.R Parent Network. This is a per diem position (10-15 hours per week) to work remotely and to travel to families’ homes and meetings in the community, in addition to office-based work. The travel area is primarily from Southern Penobscot County to Cumberland County.
The Family Peer Specialist (FPS) supports, educates, models and encourages parents/caregivers to move toward self-advocacy in the attainment of their own, culturally specific life goals for themselves and their children. Built upon the lived experience of parenting a child/youth with emotional, mental, or behavioral disturbance, the foundation of this work is having the ability to articulate the lessons learned from their parenting experiences.
Required Minimum Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Education: High School Diploma or equivalent preferred. Five (5) plus years of lived experience parenting a child/youth with behavioral health concerns and experience navigating the systems of care on behalf of that child. Obtains National Certification from the National Federation of Family Certification Commission as a Certified Family Peer Specialist is required within 3 years of the date of employment. A valid Maine driver’s license is required, along with reliable transportation and insurance. (NOTE: lived experience years is determined from the date your child/youth received their first mental health diagnosis).
Computer proficiency is required with ability to demonstrate basic computer skills in using Microsoft Office and Outlook email. Be able to work and take phone calls from their home office, with the ability to work evenings and occasional weekend day.
KBH is an eligible employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) that provides workers with qualifying employment and loan payments federal student debt forgiveness after 10 years or 120 monthly payments. KBH also offers:
- HEALTH INSURANCE WITH 3 PLAN OPTIONS
- DENTAL, VISION & LIFE INSURANCE (PAID BY KBH FOR EMPLOYEE)
- SHORT AND LONG TERM DISABILITY INSURANCE (PAID BY KBH)
- 403(B) WITH EMPLOYER MATCH
- SUPPORTIVE WORKING ENVIRONMENT
- 65.5 CENTS PER MILE TRAVEL REIMBURSEMENT
- $40 PER MONTH GYM REIMBURSEMENT
- CONTINUING EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES
- PAID TIME OFF TO INCLUDE: 20 VACATION DAYS, 12 HOLIDAYS, 8 SICK DAYS AND 1 PERSONAL DAY