THIS IS WHO WE ARE: The LaSalle School is a highly regarded, and nationally accredited provider of therapeutic, educational, and supportive services designed to accomplish positive, personal growth and lasting change in the lives of youth and families in need. With over a quarter of our staff employed for over 10 years with the agency, many of our employees find this work to be extremely fulfilling and choose to make this a lifelong career. Here at LaSalle, we take pride in our people who share our commitment to the core values of integrity, mutual respect, fairness, and communication. LaSalle School offers competitive compensation and benefits, excellent learning, and development opportunities.
THIS IS WHO YOU MIGHT BECOME: The Youth Peer Advocate (YPA) is a full-time, 40-hour a week, non-exempt, and hourly position who plays a key role in LaSalle School’s Youth Safe Spaces Program, a drop-in initiative serving approximately 500 youth and young adults annually, ages 12–24. This program supports individuals experiencing social, emotional, developmental, behavioral, medical, and/or substance use challenges by providing a welcoming, barrier-free environment where they can access essential needs and holistic support. YPAs will use their lived experience to engage participants, model resilience, and foster empowerment through mentorship, outreach, and co-facilitation of youth-centered programming. Services include access to free Wi-Fi, phone charging, computer use, grab-and-go food, kitchen space, transportation assistance, as well as on-site laundry and shower facilities. In addition to meeting basic needs, the YSS Program offers robust non-clinical mental health support such as peer-led wellness workshops, mindfulness groups, and suicide prevention sessions, alongside referrals to behavioral health services, housing, education, and community resources. YPAs are responsible for daily programming including recreational and creative activities—sports, music, visual arts, gaming, and cultural outings—plus education and workforce readiness opportunities, including tutoring, resume workshops, credentialing, and leadership development. They will co-lead these activities and provide individualized mentorship, helping youth develop life skills, strengthen community connections, and navigate pathways toward stability and growth.
Employees should be expected to work afternoon/evenings, one day per weekend and some holidays.
THIS IS WHAT YOU’LL DO:
- Provide Skill Building and Coaching to youth to encourage wellness, resiliency, recovery and hope.
- Act as a peer partner in transitioning to different levels of care and into adulthood.
- Linking youth to services in the community, including connection to peer support groups.
- Support a Youth Peer Advisory Board.
- Support Daily Programing for youth at the center.
- Engage participants, model resilience, and foster empowerment through mentorship, outreach, and co-facilitation of youth-centered programming.
- Facilitate peer-led wellness workshops, mindfulness groups, and suicide prevention sessions, alongside referrals to behavioral health services, housing, education, and community resources.
- Serve as an advocate, mentor, or facilitator for resolution of issues.
- Help youth develop self-advocacy skills.
- Connect youth to community resources and services.
- Assist families to enhance community connections and natural support when requested
- Deliver services in individual and/or group modality.
- Deliver services in a trauma-informed, culturally and linguistically competent manner.
- Document contacts in a timely and accurate fashion.
- Attend required supervision, meetings and training.
- Report incidences and issues to supervisor immediately.
- Monitor that youth choice and voice is present in service delivery on a continuous basis.
- Maintain knowledge of Trauma Informed Practice, common challenges associated with mental health conditions, and crisis de-escalation and intervention.
- Other duties, as assigned.
THIS IS WHAT YOU NEED:
- Must be at least 18 years old and have one (1) personal life experience in child serving systems (juvenile justice, mental health, child welfare, and education).
- Be a Youth Peer Advocate Professional Credential Youth Peer Advocate Provisional Credential and/or willing to work toward Youth Peer Advocate Certification.
- Valid and clean NYS Driver’s License.
- High School Diploma.
- Physically capable of fulfilling all responsibilities of position.
THIS IS WHO YOU ARE:
- Capable of using technology including radios, computers, and security devices.
- Show capacity to learn and follow daily routine of program.
- Able to effectively supervise clients in the program.
- Strong Communication skills orally, electronically, written, to support quality documentation and the effective exchange of information.
- Mature demeanor, professional attitude, able to effectively engage youth and colleagues.
- Commitment to agency philosophy and mission.
- Must demonstrate the ability to respond to youth voice and need
- Able to use an electronic record system and meet deadlines.
- Be flexible and agile when working with youth and in the community.
- Work as part of a team.
- Knowledge and adherence to agency and regulatory bodies’ standards of practice.
- Completion of mandatory agency training components.
THIS IS WHAT WE OFFER:
- Start at 10 days off for vacation (5 for part-time), 13 paid holidays a year, 3 personal days (full-time only), 12 sick days per year and other leave time available dependent on the circumstances.
- Health/Medical Insurance for full-time employees - Single (LaSalle covers 100% of cost) / 2-person/family (LaSalle covers 50% of coverage)
- Dental Insurance for full-time employees - Single (LaSalle covers 100% of cost) / 2-person/family (LaSalle covers 50% of cost)
- Life Insurance for full-time employees - LaSalle covers 100% of cost at $50,000. Additional coverage can be purchased by the employee at cost to employee.
- Flexible Spending and Cafeteria Plans for full-time employees - Employee covers 100% of cost.
- Vision Insurance for full-time employees - Employee covers 100% of cost.
- Short Term Disability for full-time employees - Employee covers 100% of cost.
- Cancer Care and Accident Care plans for full-time employees - Employee covers 100% of cost.
- Retirement: LaSalle covers 100% of contribution to Pension (401a) for full-time employees; 403b option available to all staff - 100% contribution is employee responsibility.
- Tuition Reimbursement/Educational Loan Assistance Program
- Federal Loan Forgiveness Programs - As a non-profit organization, LaSalle School qualifies as an organization to help college debt forgiven over the course of a set number of years--federal requirements must be meet by employee.
- During the first three to six months of employment, LaSalle will ensure that you have the necessary training, which is 100% covered by LaSalle; to be successful in the new position.
- Employee Assistance Program (Capital EAP)
- Join us for Breakfast, Lunch, or Dinner in the cafeteria at no cost to the employee during your shift/breaks at LaSalle.
... AND THIS IS WHAT WE STAND FOR:
At LaSalle School, we provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants, regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, arrest and/or conviction record, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, an individual's genetic information, domestic violence victim status, familial status, marital status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law. Our recruitment and selection processes are designed to be fair and unbiased, reflecting our belief that embracing diversity strengthens our workplace and enriches our community. Join our team and be part of an organization that values and celebrates the contributions of every individual.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: From $18.75 per hour
Benefits:
- 403(b)
- Bereavement leave
- Dental insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Employee discount
- Flexible schedule
- Flexible spending account
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Professional development assistance
- Retirement plan
- Tuition reimbursement
- Vision insurance
People with a criminal record are encouraged to apply
License/Certification:
- Driver's License (Required)
- Youth Peer Advocate Credential (Required)
Shift availability:
- Day Shift (Required)
- Night Shift (Required)
Ability to Commute:
- Albany, NY 12203 (Required)
Work Location: In person
