Are you ready to champion the efforts of establishing suicide prevention in Eastern Washington? If so, then this Program Specialist 3, Rural Suicide Prevention Peer Specialist, position is for you!
Located in Eastern Washington, work will be typically completed 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday. Flexible schedule may be needed to complete work off-site, which could include occasional evening or weekend work. Telework schedule may also be available based upon supervisor approval.
*This position has been posted within the assigned pay range through Step L. Step M has not been published as this is considered the longevity step, in alignment with state HR compensation rules.
Here at the Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs (WDVA), we are passionate about our mission of “Serving Those Who Served.” As a national leader in our advocacy for more than 500,000 veterans and their family members, we strive to connect them to earned benefits as well as innovative programs focused on their overall health and wellness. In addition, we provide critical community services through a variety of programs, and at our four State Veterans Homes located in Orting, Port Orchard, Spokane, and Walla Walla. These locations provide Medicare and Medicaid nursing home care to honorably discharged veterans, including, in some instances, their spouses, widows, or Gold Star Families.
In this position, under the supervision of the Lead Suicide Prevention Peer Specialist, you will support the expansion and enhancement of suicide prevention within the Veteran’s Peer Corps Program:

• Provide suicide prevention trainings.
• Collaborate with community organizations and resources targeted for Service Member, Veterans and Families.
• Provide hand offs to community services and resources including peer mentors and Vet Corps members.
• Collect, manage, and report program evaluation and outcome data in accordance with the Washington State SMVF Suicide Prevention Strategic Plan 21-23.

This position will require outreach to the following counties: Ferry, Stevens, Pend Oreille, Lincoln, Spokane, Adams, Whitman, Garfield, Columbia, and Asotin.
 
Be a part of this important work and join our efforts of establishing suicide prevention policy and actionable objectives statewide by applying today!Some of what you'll be doing under the direction of the Lead Suicide Prevention Peer Specialist includes:
 
 

• Provide Suicide Prevention Peer Programming and outreach in response to the actions detailed in the Governor's Challenge.
• Provide matching and hand offs for SMVF to community services and resources in assigned region, to include Vet Peer Corps mentors, Vet Corps members, or other community providers.
• Provides direct support to SMVF in assigned region with the delivery of Suicide Prevention Training, and tasks related to the WDVA Peer support programs.
• Build and maintain relationships with regional community resources and personnel serving SMVF promoting wellness and addressing crisis.
• Track outreach activities including warm hand offs and community connections in EVCMS.
• Encourage non-profit, for profit, city, county, state, and federal organizations to submit applications to be included in resource database.
• Meet with key stakeholders, and represent the WDVA Suicide Prevention Program to other agencies and organizations. 
• Under the supervision of the Lead Suicide Prevention Peer Specialist, implement strategies, goals and initiatives within the statewide plan.
• Support the distribution of safer homes materials and safe firearms storage devices to the Washington National Guard, the Washington State Patrol, allied veteran groups, and other organizations serving or employing veterans, following the recommendations of the safer homes task force.
• Provide regular updates on suicide prevention related activities.
• And much more!

Required:
 
 

• Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology, Social Services, Social Work, Social Science, Health Care, or Liberal Arts/Sciences from an accredited institution whose accreditation is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) or a foreign equivalent.

AND
 

• Two years of experience years’ of experience providing services to veterans and their families in a human services environment related to mental health, behavioral health, traumatic brain injury and/or similar functional area. 

Please Note: Related and comparable experience may be substituted year for year for education. 
Preferred/Desired Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in counseling-related field from an accredited institution whose accreditation is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) or a foreign equivalent and two years of experience providing services concerning varying suicide prevention training efforts and/or familiarity with ASSIST, AMSR, ZERO Suicide and other suicide prevention models etc.
• Current and valid WA State licensure of one of the following or equivalent: LMHC, LICSW, LMFT.
• Demonstrated ability to engage stakeholders, provide outreach, education and case management and deliver successful presentations to a wide variety of audiences.
• Proficient and knowledgeable in all laws and ethical guidelines related to suicide prevention and mental health services.
• Minimum two years of experience in program development; coordination and experience in budget management and or contracting; experience with records/data base management.
• Served in the armed forces, guard, or reserves with combat experience; three years working directly with veterans and their family members or demonstrated competency with this population.
• Experience working with rural populations.

Application Process:
The top candidates will be contacted directly to interview for this position. Because the selection will be based on information provided by you, it is in your best interest to identify the knowledge, skills and abilities that address the mandatory and desirable qualifications described below.
 
 Please include the following documents with your application:
1. A letter of interest describing specific qualifications.
2. A current resume detailing applicable experience and education.
 
 Finalists will be asked to provide a list of at least three professional references with current telephone numbers.
Other Information:

• Prior to a new hire, a background check including criminal record history will be conducted. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant's suitability and competence to perform in the position.
• Positions requiring travel must have a valid unrestricted driver's license and must be insured if driving a privately owned vehicle on state business.

Applicants wishing to claim Veterans Preference should attach a copy of their DD-214 (Member 4 copy), NGB 22, or signed verification of service letter from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs to their application. Please blackout any personally identifiable data such as social security numbers. For further information please contact us at: recruiters@dva.wa.gov.
Here at YOUR Washington Department of Veterans Affairs our employees come from all walks of life. We strive to hire great people from a wide variety of backgrounds. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.
We believe in the importance of recognizing the value each of us contribute to the success of the mission of the agency. Having a diverse workforce is this agency’s greatest resource of strength and knowledge. It is through the combination of talents and abilities that we can pursue finding effective measures on how we can provide the best customer service. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace for everyone.
The State of Washington is an equal opportunity employer. Persons with a disability who need assistance in the application process or testing process, or those needing this announcement in an alternative format, may call (360) 725-2183. TTY users should first call 711 to access the Washington Relay Service.
You are welcome to include the name and pronoun you would like to be referred to in your materials and we will honor this as you interact with our award-winning diverse and inclusive organization.
If you have any questions regarding this announcement, program, or the agency please contact us at recruiters@dva.wa.gov.