Peer Education Specialist

Planned Parenthood Western Pennsylvania (PPWP) is the local affiliate of the country’s leading sexual and reproductive health care advocate and provider. PPWP operates six health centers located in Allegheny, Westmoreland, Cambria, and Somerset Counties and provides education and advocacy services throughout western Pennsylvania.

PPWP is seeking a compassionate person to work for a mission driven organization as a full time Peer Education Specialist in our Education Department.

The Peer Education Specialist implements Planned Parenthood of Western Pennsylvania’s (PPWP) 27-year peer education program, Peer Helpers, a long-term teen education/mentoring program to reduce teen pregnancy and ensure school completion through structured education programming, peer helping, recreation, and community service.

The Peer Education Specialist builds relationships with youth over the course of a student’s middle and high school career and nurtures youth empowerment by engaging students in important conversations around topics like decision-making, communication, relationships, identity, gender, personal values, consent, contraception, STD prevention, etc.

Essential Functions

• Committed to the goals, mission, standards and objectives of Planned Parenthood by fostering a positive environment to serve as a resource in teaching sex ed topics to varying audiences in an age-appropriate, trauma-informed way.
• Organizes, develops and implements lessons and activities based on sexuality topics of the Peer Education Program (i.e., relationships, consent, STIs, contraception) to engage youth in the classroom using curricula tailored to the specific needs of the community.
• Demonstrates effective teaching and presentation techniques with health classes inside Peer Helpers schools and follows and implements PPWP’s “Life Skills” curriculum (instruction to comprehensive sexuality education series).
• Encourages and engages Peer Helpers by providing them with opportunities, activities and support to develop, apply and share their leadership skills with the community, which includes implementing (planning, organizing, teaching and reporting) in accordance with goals outlined by funding sources and supervisors.
• Participates in community education and outreach events as assigned, with particular emphasis on Peer Education and Life Skills.
• Cultivates and maintains a respectful and supportive safe space for staff and students to work and learn healthy behaviors.
• Engages in respectful, professional communication with all teens, parents and school/community leaders from diverse communities and strong public speaking skills. Able to resolve conflicts quickly when they arise.
• Remains current and reads literature in the field concerning peer education, peer mentoring, adolescent development, human sexuality, family planning, and behavior change/risk-reduction.
• Attends workshops and/or seminars on peer education, teen pregnancy, human sexuality and family planning as assigned to contribute towards the mission of the program.
• Provides outstanding customer service and are expected to be available throughout the workday for communications with youth outside of their classroom in-school-time. Maintains regular communication Manager on students and curriculum.

• Assist in completion of departmental goals, including diversity and inclusion; complete administrative paperwork and other duties as assigned in a timely and accurate manner.

Skills:

• Receive and maintain current Pennsylvania Act 33/34 clearances.
• Flexible schedules since weeknights/weekends may be required based on the needs of the program.
• Good organizational skills
• Work under pressure
• Travel independently.
• Communicate professionally effectively in person, by phone, and email.
• Work in a flexible, fast-paced environment.
• Able to perform extensive standing without breaks and walking during the day.
• Punctual and regular attendance is an essential responsibility of each employee. Employees are expected to report to work as scheduled, on time and prepared to start working. Employees also are expected to remain at work for their entire work schedule