Peer Support Specialist - CSEC Team

Why join Olive Crest?

Since 1973, Olive Crest has transformed the lives of over 200,000 abused, neglected, and at-risk children and their families. We work tirelessly to meet the individual needs of kids in crisis by providing safe homes, counseling, and education for both youth and parents throughout Southern California, Nevada and the Pacific Northwest. Olive Crest is dedicated to Preventing child abuse, to Treating and Educating at-risk children and to, “Preserving the family...One Life at a Time."

Overview

Provides mentorship, stability, and support to youth in the CSEC Transitional Housing Placement Program. Builds trusting, trauma-informed relationships through shared lived experience, offering encouragement and guidance as youth work toward independence. Assists with life skills, models healthy boundaries, and supports youth in navigating daily challenges.

Job Responsibilities

• Build authentic, trust-based relationships with youth through shared lived experience. Serve as a relatable role model, demonstrating healthy boundaries and positive decision-making.
• Encourage youth participation in life skills, ILP activities, and program expectations.
• Coach youth on everyday tasks such as cooking, budgeting, hygiene, and time management.
• Provide support during outings (e.g., grocery shopping, appointments) to model real-life skills. Help youth set and track personal goals, including educational or employment milestones.
• Support youth in using their voice in CFTs, roommate meetings, or with staff. Help identify strengths and challenges, encouraging self-advocacy and confidence.
• Promote harm reduction and safety planning without judgment. Create a safe space for youth to express themselves and process challenges.

Qualifications

• Bachelors degree or 4 years experience working with at risk youth.
• Must be a former foster youth.
• Must be at least 21 years of age.
• Preferably have participated in a transitional living program.
• Preferably have real-life experience being in “the life” (commercial sexual exploitation) and/or have directly supported someone who has been impacted by exploitation.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: From $24.00 per hour

Expected hours: 40 per week

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Mileage reimbursement
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Referral program
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Monday to Friday
• On call

Application Question(s):

• This role requires use of a personal vehicle and up to date auto insurance to be able to travel to client homes with mileage reimbursement. Please confirm that you understand this is a requirement of the role.
• This role has either a Wednesday-Saturday (3PM-1130PM) or Sunday-Wednesday (3PM-1130Pm) schedule. Please confirm which you prefer.
• This role requires personal or lived experience as a former foster youth or being in “the life” (commercial sexual exploitation) and/or have directly supported someone who has been impacted by exploitation. Please include a cover letter here to describe in detail your lived life experience.

Education:

• Bachelor's (Required)

Experience:

• working with at-risk youth: 1 year (Preferred)

Language:

• Spanish (Preferred)

Work Location: In person