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Peer Advocate Jobs in Rochester, NY (NOW HIRING)

Endeavor Health Services

Peer Specialist

Rochester, NY · On-site

$18/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

You will be responsible for creating a safe and supportive environment for our clients, as well as providing peer-to-peer counseling, educational, and advocacy services. You will also be instrumental ...

Youth Advocate Programs

Advocate

Geneseo, NY · On-site

$19.50/hr

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

We are seeking passionate and dedicated Advocates to join our team. In this role, you will work directly with youth and families to provide guidance, support, and advocacy. You will help them ...

Youth Advocate Programs

Advocate

Rochester, NY · On-site

$18/hr

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

The Primary responsibilities of the Advocate are to initiate, organize, plan, develop and implement direct advocacy services to assigned participants and their families. * All service plans will be ...

Youth Advocate Programs

Advocate

Newark, NY · On-site

$18/hr

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

The Primary responsibilities of the Advocate are to initiate, organize, plan, develop and implement direct advocacy services to assigned participants and their families. * All service plans will be ...

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Peer Advocate information

What is a peer advocate?

Peer advocates are individuals who use their own lived experiences to support, guide, and empower others facing similar challenges. They often work in settings such as mental health, addiction recovery, disability services, or educational environments. Peer advocates provide emotional support, help clients navigate services, and offer practical advice based on their personal journeys. Their goal is to foster hope, build trust, and promote self-advocacy among those they assist.

How to become a peer advocate?

To become a peer advocate, individuals typically need to complete relevant training or certification programs, which may be offered by mental health organizations or community agencies. Experience in peer support, strong communication skills, and a good understanding of the issues faced by the populations served are also important. Some positions may require background checks or specific state certifications depending on the setting.

How much do peer advocates make?

In New York City, peer advocates typically earn between $15 and $25 per hour, depending on experience, certifications, and the organization. Salaries can vary based on full-time or part-time status and specific job responsibilities.

What is the difference between Peer Advocate vs Peer Support Specialist?

AspectPeer AdvocatePeer Support Specialist
Required CredentialsHigh school diploma or equivalent; peer certification often preferredHigh school diploma or equivalent; peer support certification often preferred
Work EnvironmentCommunity organizations, healthcare settings, schoolsHealthcare facilities, mental health clinics, community programs
Employer & Industry UsageNonprofits, mental health agencies, addiction servicesHealthcare providers, mental health agencies, hospitals
Common Search & ComparisonPeer AdvocatePeer Support Specialist

Both roles involve supporting individuals through shared experiences, but Peer Advocates often focus on advocacy and connecting clients to resources, while Peer Support Specialists typically provide direct emotional support and facilitate recovery groups. The roles overlap in credentials and work environments, but their primary functions differ slightly based on employer needs.

How does a peer advocate typically collaborate with other professionals and support services in a community setting?

Peer Advocates often work closely with case managers, social workers, and healthcare providers to ensure that clients receive comprehensive support. They act as a bridge between individuals seeking assistance and the broader network of services available, such as housing, mental health, and employment resources. Regular collaboration may involve attending team meetings, sharing insights from lived experience, and helping clients navigate complex systems. This teamwork not only enhances client outcomes but also provides Peer Advocates with valuable opportunities to learn from other professionals in the field.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a peer advocate, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Peer Advocate, you need lived experience relevant to the community served, active listening skills, and a foundational understanding of support resources. Familiarity with client management systems, documentation tools, and sometimes certification as a Peer Specialist are typically required. Strong communication, empathy, and boundary-setting abilities help build trust and effectively support clients. These skills ensure Peer Advocates can connect authentically, empower individuals, and facilitate access to needed services.

What are popular job titles related to Peer Advocate jobs in Rochester, NY?

For Peer Advocate jobs in Rochester, NY, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Peer Advocate jobs in Rochester, NY look for?

The top searched job categories for Peer Advocate jobs in Rochester, NY are:

What cities near Rochester, NY are hiring for Peer Advocate jobs?

Cities near Rochester, NY with the most Peer Advocate job openings:

Peer Advocate jobs near you
Infographic showing various Peer Advocate job openings in Rochester, NY as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 31% Full Time, 66% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution.

Family Peer Advocate I or II - Genesee & Orleans County - Family Resiliency

Hillside Children's Center

Batavia, NY • On-site

$16.75 - $22/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 23 days ago

Hillside Family of Agencies rating

7.2

Company rating: 7.2 out of 10

Based on 22 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

28th of 242 rated social care providers

Job description


Job Summary
The Family Peer Advocate is responsible for empowering families and assisting the family in navigating and advocating in multiple child serving systems. This individual will support parents as they develop positive approaches and methods to meet the needs of youth and their families. This individual will support parents as they develop positive approaches and methods for addressing their family's day-to-day needs, including their own needs for self-care.
This role requires "Lived Experience" and flexibility with working hours, including evenings/weekends as determined by family needs that arise outside of regular service hours.
The hire will need access to a reliable personal vehicle and be traveling across Genesee & Orleans counties on the job. Note that mileage is eligible for a generous reimbursement! The position's home office is our Batavia City Center location.
Essential Job functions
  • Provide informational and educational support on system navigation, advocacy and rights to empower families to become active participants in their child's services.
  • Make referrals and linkages to needed services and resources and assist with access.
  • Support the efforts of families in caring for and strengthening their children's mental, and physical health, development and well-being of their children by assisting the family learn and practice strategies to support their child's positive behavior.
  • Facilitate parent training and education to increase knowledge and skills while providing opportunities for networking with other families and creating natural supports.
  • Form and maintain relationships using effective communication and collaboration acting as a bridge between family and providers.
  • Administer assessments and help family to identify gaps in services needed and assist in planning to eliminate gap.
  • Develop treatment plan and safety plan with parent/caregiver supporting the family's own identified goals.
  • Promote effective family-driven practice. Attend and/or facilitate meetings to promote family voice and infuse a family perspective at all levels: individual provider, agency, local planning, state and national policy making.
  • Maintain all necessary records, forms, notifications, authorizations, reports and summaries in client files to ensure compliance with all Federal, State, Funder, Medicaid Managed Care and Hillside standards.
  • Obtain and maintain credential/certification based on advocate's role and funder requirements.
  • Participate in agency and team meetings, in-service trainings, and team building activities as well as volunteer and serve on agency and community committees as needed.
  • While this job description covers many aspects of the role, employees may be required to perform other duties as assigned.
  • Family Peer Advocate II additionally:
    • Serve as a resource to guide team performance.
    • Lead/conduct Family Peer Advocate staff training and manage projects, as directed.
    • Mentor Family Peer Advocate I staff.

Education & Experience
  • High school diploma or GED required.
  • Minimum 1 of year of "lived experience" required based on program and funder requirements.
    • NYS Office of Mental Health requirement:
      • A parent/caregiver of a child with a social, emotional, developmental, medical, substance use, and/or behavioral challenges; experience in navigating child serving systems to obtain services and resources for their child/family. OR
      • Personal "lived experience" as a person with social, emotional, developmental, medical, substance use, and/or behavioral challenges, or has received services in juvenile justice, foster care, special education or addiction recovery.
  • Family Peer Advocate II: Minimum 18 months of related work experience required.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
  • Must obtain appropriate credential required for the program within 6 months of hire.
  • Unrestricted, valid NYS driver's license for minimum of 1 year with a clean driving record and minimum insurance coverage that meets agency standards.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
In addition to demonstrating the Hillside Professional Competencies of Communicates Effectively, Personal Excellence, Cultural Competence, Builds and Leverages Relationships, and Optimizes Decision Making, the following occupational competencies must be demonstrated:
  • Ability to act as an adult role model for children/youth/families in all behaviors including communication, hygiene, and appearance, management of self, response to stress / challenges and in the demonstration of positive relationships with others.
  • Ability to engage children/youth/families in trust-based, productive relationships in order to help children/youth and families prepare for transitions, interact in the community, and promote respect and independence.
  • Ability to recognize and address, often through referral, problems related to substance abuse, mental health, domestic violence, and child abuse and neglect.
  • Ability to act as an advocate for children/youth/families in order to achieve the best possible children/youth/family's outcomes; communicates reasonable expectations and facilitates the achievement of results.
  • Demonstrates an awareness and sensitivity to cultural and social variations and shows respect for individual differences.
  • Knowledge of applicable laws and regulations, an ability to identify and access community programs and resources as needed, and an understanding of public assistance access and eligibility.

Physical Demands & Work Environment
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
  • Must be able to work a variable scheduling including evenings and weekends
  • The following daily physical demands are required:
    • Sitting (up to 6 hours)
    • Occasional standing (up to 2 hour)
    • Occasional walking (up to 2.5 hours)
    • Driving (several times a week up to 6 hours)
    • Continuous balancing (up to 8 hours)
    • Occasional balancing, bending, stooping, climbing, kneeling, pushing, pulling, reaching forward or down, reaching overhead, running, and twisting (up to 2.5 hours)
    • Weekly lifting up to 10-15 lbs. on a daily basis
    • Manual dexterity is required, including the frequent ability to grasp in both hands and continuous use of fine manipulation skills in both hands (approximately 1-2.5 hrs.)
    • Occasional exposure to dust, fumes, gases, chemicals, or smoke is apparent
    • Ability to change positions as needed.

Family Peer Advocate I:
$18.50 Minimum pay rate, $26.00 Maximum pay rate, based on experience.
Family Peer Advocate II:
$19.50 Minimum pay rate, $28.00 Maximum pay rate, based on experience.
About Us
At Hillside, we believe that healthy youth and strong families with opportunities to succeed are the foundation of any thriving community. Guided by this belief, we provide community-based services, education, and residential treatment to positively impact lives, in partnership with youth and families who have experienced trauma. From locations across Central & Western New York and Prince George's County, Maryland, our programs serve nearly 10,000 youth, adults, and families each year.
Partnering with families and communities, we deliver high-quality, evidence-based services, in the appropriate settings - whether on residential campuses or in schools, homes, or the workplace. By measuring the impact of our work, we endeavor to deliver ever better outcomes every day.
Equal Opportunity Employer: Hillside is committed to equal opportunities for all, supporting a diverse workforce, creating development opportunities for our people. Hillside is an equal opportunity employer; individuals from underrepresented and/or marginalized identities, Veterans, and disabled persons are encouraged to apply. Upon request, reasonable accommodations will be provided for the disabled.
Total Rewards: We offer a competitive benefits package to include generous paid time off, paid holidays, comprehensive medical, dental and vision coverage, flexible spending account, 403(b) retirement savings plan with employer match, and Employee Assistance Plan - just to name a few of the amazing benefits at Hillside! World changers and change makers join our talent community every day. Apply online, get on board, and grow your career with us!

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