Youth Engagement Specialist

Who We Are

Founded in 1999, Maryland Coalition of Families (MCF) is a statewide nonprofit with a central office in Columbia, Md., and staff located in communities throughout the state. Using personal experience as parents, caregivers, youth and other loved ones, we connect, support and empower Maryland’s families. Our staff provide one-to-one support to parents and caregivers of young people with mental health issues and to any loved one who cares for someone with a substance use or gambling issue. We also advocate to improve systems that impact individuals with behavioral health challenges.

Overview

MCF has an employment opportunity for a Full-time Youth Engagement Specialist who lives in PG County Maryland. The Youth Engagement Specialist for the Healthy Transitions Program is part of the System of Care in Prince George’s County offering youth leadership and educational enrichment activities for transition-aged youth (TAY), ages 16-25.  The Youth Engagement Specialist will use their lived experience accessing mental health/behavioral health services to advocate for positive system changes and support the development of a young adult peer network within the County and across Maryland as part of MCF’s Taking Flight Program.  

Taking Flight is comprised of youth advocates who use their experiences to promote positive change in youth-serving systems. Taking Flight works to reduce stigma and encourage youth involvement in improving services for youth and young adults. It also works to empower and support the transition from childhood to adulthood.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Provides enrichment activities, advocacy, and leadership development opportunities for TAY. 
• Participate in contract management meetings, monthly Core Team meetings, and required trainings as set by Prince George’s County System of Care leadership team. 
• Collaborates with the Healthy Transitions Collective team to lead development of peer 
• support and educational programs to empower TAY. 
• Conducts outreach in the community to educate families and TAY regarding peer support services and other initiatives to serve the population through the System of Care grant. 
• Facilitates training for TAY to become certified peer support specialists. 
• Collects and reports timely and accurate data for funder reporting processes. 
• Creates, maintains, and promotes program awareness through social media and other communication efforts. 
• Speaks on panels about lived experience; modeling appropriate, safe, and effective ways to share stories.? 
• Serves on committees and supports other young people to serve on committees representing the young adult perspective in order to impact and improve youth-serving systems.? 
• Attends relevant trainings and conferences to stay abreast of issues related to youth and young adults in relation to behavioral health needs.? 

Qualifications

• Lived experience accessing mental health/behavioral health services is required. 
• Must live in Prince George's County 
• Ability to join youth advocacy boards and committees. 
• Ability to work independently, manage priorities, and communicate effectively with a remote supervisor. 
• Ability to work a flexible schedule, including nights and/or weekends as needed. 
• Ability to work with youth and young adults from diverse cultural, religious, racial and economic backgrounds, as well as LGBTQIA+ youth and young adults. 
• High school diploma or equivalent. 
• Experience with social media and ability to adhere to Taking Flight’s guidelines pertaining to usage in promotion, outreach and education. 
• Ability to create and maintain positive and professional relationships with partners. 
• Current Maryland driver’s license and access to own vehicle; in-state travel required for various meetings/events across the state and to the MCF office in Columbia 
• Successful completion of a background check is required for all MCF employees.? 

Hours/Compensation

• Full-Time/40 hours per week.
• Flexible work schedule.
• Salary: $18-$20 per hour
• MCF provides equipment, mileage reimbursement, and paid training.
• Full benefits include generous paid time off (2-Weeks Vacation, 2-Weeks Sick leave, 3-Personal days, 2-Floating holidays, 11-Holidays per year), health plans, dental, vision, life insurance, FSA, long-term disability, 401(k), and EAP.

To apply: To be considered for this position, you must submit a resume and respond to the screener questions, specifically your experience as a consumer of mental health and/or substance use services. Please provide details regarding what services and resources you have used. Please note that mailed or faxed resumes will not be considered. No phone calls please.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer – all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, marital status, national origin, disability, veteran status or any other classification protected by applicable discrimination. 

Visit our website for information about our organization: https://www.mdcoalition.org