Become a member of the team
As our volunteers are an integral part of the success of Compeer we couldn’t facilitate the services we offer without a dedicated team to make everything possible. If you are driven to help, sustain, and create an environment dedicated to mental health and friendship then we want to hear from you.
Opportunities
Per Diem Mental Health Education Instructors
ABOUT THE ROLE:
Compeer is seeking skilled, engaging Per Diem Mental Health Education Instructors to deliver mental health trainings for youth, adults, schools, workplaces, and community organizations. This flexible contractor role is ideal for individuals who are passionate about mental wellness and enjoy facilitating learning environments that reduce stigma and promote connection.
Instructors teach from a menu of mental health curriculam, with assignments aligned to their certifications, strengths, audience experience, and availability. Not all instructors will teach every curriculum. Compeer pays for all required instructor certification courses. Certification time is unpaid, and continuing instructor status requires a minimum of three (3) trainings per year, consistent with MHFA USA standards.
Mental Health Training Menu Includes:
• Mental Health First Aid for Adults working with Adults (adults working with adults)
• Mental Health First Aid for Adults working with Youth (adults working with youth)
• Mental Health First Aid for Teens (age 14-18)
• Mental Health 101
• Workplace Mental Wellness
WHAT YOU’LL DO:
• Facilitate assigned trainings using trauma-informed, person-first, and stigma-free approaches
• Deliver curricula with fidelity to Compeer guidelines
• Prepare materials in advance and coordinate logistics with Compeer staff
• Arrive 30–40 minutes early for in-person trainings, or 15–20 minutes early for virtual sessions
• Maintain timely (2–3 business day) communication regarding scheduling, materials, and coordination
• Pick up and return training materials as required
• Maintain active instructor certification(s) for any curriculum taught
WHAT YOU BRING:
• Strong facilitation, public speaking, or teaching skills.
• Ability to deliver sensitive content in a trauma-informed, culturally responsive manner.
• Reliable transportation.
• Consistent access to technology for virtual training.
• Experience working with youth, adults, educators, corporate groups, or community-based organizations.
• Experience in mental health, education, human services, DEI work, or related fields.
• Already have certification as an MHFA Instructor, or a willingness to complete Compeer-funded
training.
• Availability during at least one of the following time windows is required to match the needs of our
training partners (instructors select assignments based on their availability and are not required to be
available for all time frames):
o School-day hours (Teen and Youth MHFA)
o Business-day hours (Adult MHFA, Workplace Mental Wellness)
o Evenings or weekends (all programs based on partner needs
CORE COMPETENCIES FOR SUCCESS:
Facilitation & Training
Trauma-Informed
Cultural Competence
Reliability
Flexibility & Adaptability
Professional Judgement & Boundaries
FUNCTIONAL REQUIREMENTS & WORKING CONDITIONS:
Delivery of training sessions may involve:
• Standing and presenting for extended periods (2–4 hours)
• Facilitating discussions, activities, or role-plays
• Transporting training materials to/from Compeer’s office
• Setting up basic training equipment (easel, laptop, projector, printed materials)
• Using Zoom or similar platforms for virtual delivery
• Operating a computer and reading printed/digital materials
Training sessions take place:
• In schools, workplaces, and community organizations
• In-person or virtually
• During school hours, business hours, evenings, or weekends based on curriculum and partner needs
Travel:
• Instructors are responsible for their own transportation.
Access & Inclusion:
• Compeer is committed to equitable access in its programs. Contractors are encouraged to discuss any
adjustments that would support effective training delivery.
COMPENSATION:
• Per Training Flat Fee for all approved instructional, preparation, coordination, and facilitation work.
Fee is curriculum dependent ranging from $44 – $220.
• Fee includes travel time and mileage (mileage is not reimbursed separately).
• Contractors submit a monthly invoice using Compeer’s required template.
• Compeer pays certification fees for required curricula; certification hours are unpaid.
• A minimum of three trainings per year is required to remain an active instructor.
Please submit a resume and cover letter explaining which curricula you are interested in teaching, availability, and relevant skills & experience to the Mental Health Education team at education@compeerbuffalo.org.
Interviews will take place on a rolling basis. Multiple instructors will be hired.
Youth Program Coordinator
POSITION DESCRIPTION:
Compeer Buffalo is seeking candidates for the position of full-time Youth Program Coordinator. This person
will oversee the day-to-day coordination of our school-based mentoring services for 2-4 school districts, and
support the community-based youth program as necessary. This position will report to the Program Manager.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
• Oversee and support the team of college interns who serve as mentors to middle and high school
students, including participating in intern/mentor recruiting, screening, onboarding, training and
regular school-based mentoring team meetings.
• Provide direct supervision to School-Based Mentoring Specialists.
• Serve as a Field Supervisor for college interns (mentors) and a positive role model for middle and high
school students.
• Build and maintain strong partnerships with school districts, local colleges and other stakeholders to
identify and address the needs of the students we serve and the community as a whole.
• Communicate regularly with school district staff regarding student referrals, schedules, absences,
progress in the program, etc.
• Support Specialists and interns in organizing student 1:1 and small group sessions, setting up their
space, completing pre and post surveys, calling parents/guardians, sending out monthly
parent/guardian updates, and ordering supplies.
• Support the Specialists and interns in adapting their evidence-based curriculum to meet individual
student/group needs.
• Actively engage in student 1:1 sessions and small group activities.
• Problem-solve challenging scenarios with interns and school district staff.
• Monitor program outcomes and impact, collecting and analyzing data to ensure that the school-based
program is meeting its goals and making a positive difference in the lives of students. Provide reporting
for applicable grants.
• Support the community-based youth caseload as needed, adapting responsibilities in response to
evolving program capacity and participant needs.
• Collaborate with the Compeer Buffalo team to support and provide content for marketing and outreach
strategies, including social media, email marketing, and other channels, to raise awareness of program
services.
• Ensure that resources are used effectively and efficiently, and that expenditures are within budgetary
constraints.
• Collaborate with the program team to ensure consistency of services, including case consultation and
various team projects.
• Stay up-to-date on trends and best practices in school-based and youth mentoring, mental health and
related fields, and incorporate them into program design and delivery as appropriate.
• Provide regular programming updates to the Program Manager.
• Other duties as assigned.
EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE:
• Master’s degree in Social Work (MSW) with the ability to serve as a Field Educator for Bachelor’s and
Master’s college interns.
• At least 1 year of experience working in mental health services, preferably with youth.
• At least 1 year of experience working in a school setting.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES:
• Commitment to the mission and values of Compeer Buffalo, including a passion for making a positive
difference in the lives of others.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build positive relationships with
program participants, mentors, community partners, and other stakeholders.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills, with the ability to manage multiple tasks and
priorities simultaneously and meet deadlines.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team, with a positive and collaborative attitude.
• Knowledge of best practices in school-based mentoring, including strategies for successful matching,
training, and support of program participants and mentors.
• Familiarity with data collection and analysis, and the ability to use data to inform program design and
improvement.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS/WORKING CONDITIONS:
• Physical requirements of this job are that of an office environment, including but not limited to the
following: prolonged sitting while operating computer and office equipment, frequent talking and
listening, occasional walking, and minimal lifting/reaching.
• Candidate must have reliable transportation and automobile insurance, or the ability to use public
transportation to commute across Erie County.
SALARY/BENEFITS:
Pay is $21.98 to $24.72/hour
• 4.5-day workweek (paid for 5 days).
• 12 paid holidays annually.
• 140 hours of vacation per year (accrued at 5.38 hours per pay period).
• Up to 84 hours of paid sick leave per year.
• 28 hours of mental health leave annually.
• Up to 90% company paid single health insurance.
• Employer contribution toward 403(b).
• Comprehensive insurance coverage:
o Dental and vision are fully covered.
o Single health insurance coverage at 90
APPLICATION
Please apply to staff@compeerbuffalo.org
Include a cover letter, explaining the following. Please do not use AI to write your letter:
• Why are you choosing to pursue this position?
• What expertise and experience uniquely qualify you to be a champion of Compeer’s brand?
• What do you hope to contribute to the organization and our members?
Screening and interviews will happen on a rolling basis until the position is filled.
