Parent Caregiver Peer Support Specialist

Be part of the solution to the behavioral health crisis. As a team member for ND Department of Health & Human Services, you will ensure the most vulnerable have access to a high-quality healthcare system in which prevention works, treatment is effective, and people recover.Northwest Human Service Center (NWHSC) is seeking a Parent and Caregiver Peer Support to join the Youth and Family Team.As a Parent and Caregiver Peer Support, you will work as part of a multidisciplinary team where your focus will be on providing authentic and purposeful support to parents/primary caregivers of a child/children who is/are experiencing mental, emotional, or behavioral health challenges and is being served at the Human Service Center. As a Parent and Caregiver Peer Support you will deliver intentional support activities that build on the strengths and resiliency traits of the parents/primary caregivers and support the parents/primary caregivers in achieving their goals. You will collaborate with representatives from community-based organizations and child-serving systems in providing support to families receiving services. demonstrate the ability to establish peer-based relationships by using strategic self-disclosure to build connection, trust, and acceptance with the parents/caregivers.As a Parent and Caregiver Peer Support you will participate in team meetings and build collaborative partnerships. You will provide support, reassurance, and information as needed to assist parents/primary caregivers in navigating child-serving systems and community resources. You will also work to connect parents with other parents with similar life experiences to reduce isolation, shame, blame, and increase their natural support system.You will develop and maintain strong relationships within the Youth and Family Team, local agencies, schools, family run organizations, and other entities and work both independently and within a team. You will be able to effectively communicate verbally and in writing and are able to present information to a diverse group. Some travel will be required within the region served by NWHSC, and some work outside of the 8-5 workday may occur. To succeed in this position, you must identify as a parent or caregiver with lived experience navigating the child-serving system on behalf of your child or children. You demonstrate an ability to use your own life experiences to empower others to suspend their own bias about parents, communicate that parent voice deserves to be heard and understood. You will be able to actively listen and use person-first and strength-based language in every interaction with the parents/caregivers. You will demonstrate a commitment to continually work to ensure the parent feels empowered and confident in their own decision-making ability and create conditions for parents to make decisions that are best for their family and determine their course of action.To be considered for the Parent and Caregiver Peer Support position, you must be an individual who is parenting or has been the primary caregiver of a child/youth who has experienced mental or emotional or behavioral health needs, has navigated complex child-serving systems on behalf of their loved one and can articulate the understanding of their experience with another parent or family member and who is willing to share their individual experiences for the benefit of healing of others. Preferences will be given to applicants with lived experience navigating juvenile justice systems on behalf of their child(ren); and Have a High-School Diploma or GED.Be at least 21 years of age.Be able to pass a background check and obtain fingerprint clearance.Have a current and valid driver's license.About HHS: ND HHS strives to make North Dakota the healthiest state in the nation by reinforcing the foundations of well-being: physical, economic, and behavioral. Those services are to be delivered as close to home as possible with a focus on dignity and respect. The keys to delivery of those services are the 2800 committed, compassionate ND HHS team members and more than $6 billion in funding from nearly 200 different federal, state, and special sources.Location:ND HHS utilizes a blended workplace model. This position provides essential client services face to face and therefore the person in this position needs to be able to travel to meet clients at their location.

About Team ND

"Far and away the best prize life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." - Theodore RooseveltMore than 7,500 talented, hard-working people across sixty-three agencies have come together as Team North Dakota. At Team ND, we are driven to succeed through gratitude, humility, curiosity and courage. Our purpose is to empower people, improve lives, and inspire success. Join us in being legendary.Total Rewards: The State of North Dakota is committed to providing team members with a strong and competitive rewards package that support you, your health and your family.Considering a new position on Team ND? How does your current position stack up? Use our Total Rewards Calculator to estimate.

Application Procedures

Your resume should include information to demonstrate how you meet the minimum qualifications as posted. If the Department's Human Resource Division is unable to determine that you meet the minimum qualifications credit will not be given. All application material must be received on or before the closing date by 11:59 pm.Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States. The Department of Health & Human Services does not offer or provide sponsorships.This employer participates in E-Verify. Please visit the following website for additional information: https://www.hhs.nd.gov/careers/e-verifyA copy of your qualifying degrees transcript and any applicable certifications or licensures must be provided at the time of an interview.For more information about the position or if you need an accommodation, please contact Karlee Harwell at kjharwell@nd.gov or at 701.774.4600.Employing Unit: ND HHS -Northwest Human Service CenterUnit Phone Number: 701.774.4600TTY Number: ND Relay Service 1-800-366-6888 (text); 1-800-366-6889 (voice)If you are experiencing technical difficulties with the Application Process or uploading attachments, please contact recruiter@nd.gov or (701)328-3290.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The State of North Dakota and this hiring agency do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including sexual orientation and gender identity), genetics, religion, age or disability in employment or the provisions of services and complies with the provisions of the North Dakota Human Rights Act.As an employer, the State of North Dakota prohibits smoking in all places of state employment in accordance with N.D.C.C. Sect. 23-12-10.