What are the responsibilities and job description for the Peer Support Specialist/Counselor position at Lutheran Community Services Northwest?
Lutheran Community Services NW is a non-profit organization dedicated to serving communities throughout Washington, Oregon, and Idaho with a wide range of services for individuals of all ages and backgrounds. All LCSNW team members will contribute to our mission of partnering with individuals, families and communities for health, justice and hope
WHAT WE WILL DO FOR YOU:
As an employer of choice, we’re deeply committed to supporting our employees—because when you’re empowered, our mission thrives. We provide resources, tools, and care that allow you to focus on what matters most: delivering Health, Justice, and Hope to the communities we serve. We’re proud to offer a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your well-being, growth, and peace of mind
The WISe Peer Resource and Support Specialist will maintain the integrity of the Wraparound process. Peer counselors have lived experience in systems that service children, youth and families. A Peer counselor ideally inspires hope and the vision that recovery and resiliency is possible. A peer counselor can be a peer of an individual with mental health challenges, or a peer of a parent or guardian who is raising a child with mental health challenges. The ideal candidate will display a compassionate nature, have the ability to demonstrate and implement creative thought processes, and provide exceptional service. Communication, confidentiality and professionalism are essential parts of this position. The ability to work flexible hours including evenings and managing your work time effectively within 37.5 hour work weeks is essential.
WHAT WE WILL DO FOR YOU:
As an employer of choice, we’re deeply committed to supporting our employees—because when you’re empowered, our mission thrives. We provide resources, tools, and care that allow you to focus on what matters most: delivering Health, Justice, and Hope to the communities we serve. We’re proud to offer a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your well-being, growth, and peace of mind
- A 37.5 per hour work week to ensure work/life balance
- Medical, dental, vision, and prescription benefits to keep you and your loved ones healthy
- Employer-paid short- and long-term disability insurance
- Life insurance coverage at no cost to you
- Up to 2 weeks of vacation in your first year (based on hours worked)
- Up to 2 weeks of sick leave (based on hours worked)
- 12 paid agency recognized holidays
- 2 floating holidays to use your way
- 403(b) retirement plan with employer matching (eligibility applies)
- Access to our Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for you and your family
- Potential eligibility for Student Loan Forgiveness through our 501(c)(3) nonprofit status
The WISe Peer Resource and Support Specialist will maintain the integrity of the Wraparound process. Peer counselors have lived experience in systems that service children, youth and families. A Peer counselor ideally inspires hope and the vision that recovery and resiliency is possible. A peer counselor can be a peer of an individual with mental health challenges, or a peer of a parent or guardian who is raising a child with mental health challenges. The ideal candidate will display a compassionate nature, have the ability to demonstrate and implement creative thought processes, and provide exceptional service. Communication, confidentiality and professionalism are essential parts of this position. The ability to work flexible hours including evenings and managing your work time effectively within 37.5 hour work weeks is essential.
- Provide peer support on a one-to-one basis, in peer support groups, in the community such as the peer’s home, meetings, court rooms, hospitals, schools, etc.
- Help promote a culture that sees youth/family participation as valuable.
- Be able to complete all required documentation accurately and meet all required deadlines.
- Collaborate with other members of the WISe team (clinician, care coordinator) to identify how each WISe team member is addressing ongoing youth/family needs identified on cross-system care plan.
- Attend monthly child and family team (CFT) planning meetings that address youth and family goals with other professional supports, natural supports, and community partners
- Provide parent, guardian, and/or youth with resources to community programs.
- Participate in required weekly individual supervision, case consultation, and staff meetings to explore approaches for engaging with youth and families, process themes of transference/countertransference as they occur, and identify support needed for professional growth in field
- Demonstrate respect for and build on the values, preferences, beliefs, culture, and identity, of the child/youth and family, and their community. Ensure youth/families are present when decisions about them are made and encourage them to take an active role in their care planning.
- Travel throughout countywide service area with mileage reimbursement allocated bi-monthly
- Identify as a consumer of mental health service.
- Consumer Means:
- Someone who has received mental health services.
- Parent/guardian of a child under the age of 13, or a child age 13 and older who are involved, or were involved, in the treatment plan in child’s mental health services.
- Be in mental health/behavioral health recovery for at least one year
- HS diploma or equivalent
- Lived experience that enhances relatability to clients being served
- Are required upon start/within 90 days of hire. Credentials may be required depending on individual program or location requirements. Submit Washington State Agency Affiliated Counselor Registration Application, CPR/First Aid, Washington State CANS certification (within 90 days of start date) and Obtain Certified Peer Counselor certification
- Fluency in English, both spoken and written
- Basic mastery of business applications and productivity suites
- Demonstrates resilience, awareness and self-regulation in navigating challenges, conflict and obstacles/barriers.
- Thrives in a diverse and multicultural environment; works with cross-functional teams to develop and implement strategies to enhance end-user experiences throughout the service lifecycle
- Demonstrates exceptional commitment to serving and advocating for diverse and marginalized populations
- Successfully completes tasks in a moderately noisy environment
- Interacts with others and perform tasks in-person and through the use of technology, with moderate periods of stationary activity and minimal periods of increased physical activity including and not limited to interactions with youth in school, office or community settings.
- Moves equipment/materials weighing up to 20 pounds.
- Travels between worksites regularly, which requires valid driver’s license, auto insurance, and motor vehicle records clearance and consistent access to a reliable vehicle.
- Works in a variety of settings, including and not limited to LCSNW office locations, partner agency and community-based settings, client home/community settings, outdoor settings in varying weather conditions, and faith-based settings such as churches
- Meets LCSNW criminal background clearance requirements and other job-relevant clearances as required by the State or program. Must not be prohibited from entering school grounds or classrooms for any reason.