What are the responsibilities and job description for the WISe Youth Peer Counselor position at Youth Eastside Services?
About YES
Youth Eastside Services (YES) is a leading provider of behavioral health services for children, youth, young adults, and families across East King County. Through school-based, clinic-based, and community-based programs, we provide mental health counseling, substance use treatment, psychiatric services, prevention education, and family support.
At YES, we believe young people thrive when they have access to the care, connection, and support they need in the places and communities where they live, learn, and grow. Each year, we serve more than 4,000 children, youth, and families, partnering with schools, caregivers, and community organizations to promote well-being and resilience.
Our work is grounded in trauma-informed care, collaboration, equity, and the belief that every young person deserves to feel safe, supported, respected, and connected. Our mission is to help youth reach their full potential, strengthen families, and build a healthier, more equitable community through behavioral health services, intervention, outreach, education, and advocacy.
To learn more, visit YouthEastsideServices.org.
Our Mission
YES is a lifeline for kids and families coping with challenges such as emotional distress, substance abuse, and violence. Through intervention, outreach, and prevention. YES builds confidence and personal responsibility, strengthens family relationships, and advocates for a safer community that cares for its youth.
Our Vision
The future is bright, and the potential of our youth lights it. We envision a community where our youth can feel safe, taken care of, respected, and loved. And where our young people make choices that enhance their well-being and lay the foundation for a solid future.
Program Summary
Wraparound with Intensive Services (WISe) is a new approach to helping Medicaid-eligible children, youth, and their families with intensive behavioral and mental health care. The program's goal is to help youth thrive with their natural supports such as homes and communities and assist in helping them meet the goals they have identified. Services are available in home and community settings and offer a system of care based on the individualized need of the child or youth.
Job Summary
Youth Eastside Services is currently looking for a Youth Peer Counselor to join the Children’s Wrap Around with Intensive Services (WISe) program. We are looking for someone who can work as part of a multidisciplinary treatment team to provide an individualized, creative, and strength-based approach within the wraparound model. Additionally, this position will support youth to maintain the least restrictive and community-based environment.
The WISe Youth Peer Counselor provides comprehensive support services assisting children, youth, and families in coping with complex behavior and mental health needs. In a team framework, the Youth Peer Counselor works in close collaboration with a Mental Health Therapist, Care Coordinator, and Parent Partner Counselor to identify goals, assess needs, and coordinate access to community resources. In addition, the Youth Peer Counselor will conduct outreach to clients and families in their homes, school, and community.
This position requires a flexible schedule with evening and weekend hours in the office, the client's home, and the community. The Youth Peer Counselor works with the client to help support their engagement and active participation in making informed decisions to drive the wraparound process. The Youth Peer Counselor ensures each client is heard and their individual needs are addressed and met. Youth Peer Counselor have their own life experience of living with a behavioral health disorder as a young person, which helps them connect with and provide hope to youth in the program.
Reporting to the WISe Program Manager, the Youth Peer Counselor will carry out the position's responsibilities as defined below.
Primary Job Functions
Benefits
At YES, we value our employees and offer a comprehensive benefits package to support health, financial well-being, and work-life balance.
Benefits Include
Job Type: Full time (40 hours) Non-Exempt
Starting Salary: $23.15 - $28.04 per hour DOE
YES offers a collaborative and supportive work environment with EXCELLENT benefits and various professional training opportunities.
Please include cover letter with resume.
YES is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to having a diverse staff team. LGBTQ , BIPOC , and Enabled encouraged to apply.
Youth Eastside Services (YES) is a leading provider of behavioral health services for children, youth, young adults, and families across East King County. Through school-based, clinic-based, and community-based programs, we provide mental health counseling, substance use treatment, psychiatric services, prevention education, and family support.
At YES, we believe young people thrive when they have access to the care, connection, and support they need in the places and communities where they live, learn, and grow. Each year, we serve more than 4,000 children, youth, and families, partnering with schools, caregivers, and community organizations to promote well-being and resilience.
Our work is grounded in trauma-informed care, collaboration, equity, and the belief that every young person deserves to feel safe, supported, respected, and connected. Our mission is to help youth reach their full potential, strengthen families, and build a healthier, more equitable community through behavioral health services, intervention, outreach, education, and advocacy.
To learn more, visit YouthEastsideServices.org.
Our Mission
YES is a lifeline for kids and families coping with challenges such as emotional distress, substance abuse, and violence. Through intervention, outreach, and prevention. YES builds confidence and personal responsibility, strengthens family relationships, and advocates for a safer community that cares for its youth.
Our Vision
The future is bright, and the potential of our youth lights it. We envision a community where our youth can feel safe, taken care of, respected, and loved. And where our young people make choices that enhance their well-being and lay the foundation for a solid future.
Program Summary
Wraparound with Intensive Services (WISe) is a new approach to helping Medicaid-eligible children, youth, and their families with intensive behavioral and mental health care. The program's goal is to help youth thrive with their natural supports such as homes and communities and assist in helping them meet the goals they have identified. Services are available in home and community settings and offer a system of care based on the individualized need of the child or youth.
Job Summary
Youth Eastside Services is currently looking for a Youth Peer Counselor to join the Children’s Wrap Around with Intensive Services (WISe) program. We are looking for someone who can work as part of a multidisciplinary treatment team to provide an individualized, creative, and strength-based approach within the wraparound model. Additionally, this position will support youth to maintain the least restrictive and community-based environment.
The WISe Youth Peer Counselor provides comprehensive support services assisting children, youth, and families in coping with complex behavior and mental health needs. In a team framework, the Youth Peer Counselor works in close collaboration with a Mental Health Therapist, Care Coordinator, and Parent Partner Counselor to identify goals, assess needs, and coordinate access to community resources. In addition, the Youth Peer Counselor will conduct outreach to clients and families in their homes, school, and community.
This position requires a flexible schedule with evening and weekend hours in the office, the client's home, and the community. The Youth Peer Counselor works with the client to help support their engagement and active participation in making informed decisions to drive the wraparound process. The Youth Peer Counselor ensures each client is heard and their individual needs are addressed and met. Youth Peer Counselor have their own life experience of living with a behavioral health disorder as a young person, which helps them connect with and provide hope to youth in the program.
Reporting to the WISe Program Manager, the Youth Peer Counselor will carry out the position's responsibilities as defined below.
Primary Job Functions
- The Youth Peer Counselor provides comprehensive peer support to children and youth with complex behavioral health and mental health needs. Using lived experience, the Youth Peer Counselor serves as a mentor and advocate for youth, helping them build hope, identify strengths and goals, develop self-advocacy skills, and connect with natural and community supports.
- The Youth Peer Counselor works as part of a team in close collaboration with the Mental Health Therapist, Care Coordinator, Parent Partner Counselor, and other providers to identify goals, assess needs, coordinate services, and provide holistic care.
- Supports children and youth in preparing for and participating in monthly Child and Family Team (CFT) meetings and other treatment-planning activities, ensuring their voice, preferences, and goals are represented.
- Provides crisis intervention and participates in the after-hours phone/in person coverage rotation on a weekly basis.
- Participates in activities with children and youth that support their goals and interests, including recreational, creative, educational, and community-based activities.
- Helps children and youth connect with community resources, leadership opportunities, advocacy activities, and other supports that promote independence and participation.
- Supports children and youth during challenging situations by helping them identify coping strategies, communicate their needs, and access appropriate supports.
- Provides services in homes, schools, and other convenient community locations throughout the East of King County (Redmond, Bellevue and Kirkland).
- Maintains required documentation and participate in supervision, consultation, training, and team meetings.
- Ability to work effectively in cross-cultural situations
- Strong ability to work with a diverse Eastside community, including race, ethnicity, gender, LGBTQ , religious, socio-economic status, etc.
- Experience working with vulnerable children, youth, and families
- Strong verbal, written communication, and interpersonal skills
- Customer service mindset
- Aptitude to work in a fast-paced environment, prioritize workload, complete assigned tasks, and maintain poise under pressure.
- Dependable, receptive to change, willing to learn, cooperative approach to problem-solving, flexible team player, etc.
- Effectively work in both a team environment and independently.
- Computer literate and able to use Electronic Health Records (EHR), telehealth, and other software programs with basic training.
- Ability to get certified in CANS to utilize the CANS results to support and educate the youth and family.
- Other work-related duties as assigned.
- High School Diploma or equivalent required; AA or BA Degree in a behavioral science-related field.
- Minimum of 18 years of age
- Certified Peer Counselor credentialed (training available)
- Washington State Patrol background check and Finger Print Clearance, and any other state or federal requirements that may be issued
- Own vehicle; valid Washington Driver's License w/ proof of auto insurance
- Ability to work as part of a multidisciplinary team
- Robust organizational, coordination, writing, verbal, and interpersonal skills
- Bilingual and bicultural skills are a plus!
- Experience in WISe or other WRAP programs is a plus!
- Must maintain a flexible schedule to work some evenings and weekends
- Creativity and flexibility are essential in assuming significant responsibility.
- Experience working in racially, ethnically, and socioeconomically diverse urban communities preferred
- Ability to exercise discretion and maintain both client and employee confidentiality in accordance with HIPAA, contract requirements, or other applicable laws and regulations.
- Must provide own transportation and meet clients/families throughout King County.
- Pursuant to the State mandate, all employees must be fully vaccinated
- Work in general office and home-visiting conditions
- Travel throughout East King County w/ mileage reimbursement
- Frequent sitting, standing, walking, and driving (HV)
- Ability to use hands and handle objects
- Adequate vision and hearing is necessary for duties
- Occasional pushing/pulling/lifting/carrying up to 25 pounds
- Speaking/talking on the telephone, telehealth, and in-person
- Ability to travel and work in multiple settings
- Ability to work evening/weekend hours and adjust work schedule as necessary to meet business needs.
Benefits
At YES, we value our employees and offer a comprehensive benefits package to support health, financial well-being, and work-life balance.
Benefits Include
- Comprehensive medical coverage with Kaiser Permanente PPO or HMO options
- Health Savings Account (HSA) contributions for PPO participants
- Employer-paid dental and vision coverage
- Tax-Deferred Annuity (TDA) available upon hire
- 401(k) eligibility after one year with employer match
- Generous paid time off, holidays, and sick leave
- Employer-paid life and accidental death & dismemberment insurance
- Short- and long-term disability coverage
- Employee Assistance Program
- Hybrid work opportunities consistent with team and organizational needs
Job Type: Full time (40 hours) Non-Exempt
Starting Salary: $23.15 - $28.04 per hour DOE
YES offers a collaborative and supportive work environment with EXCELLENT benefits and various professional training opportunities.
Please include cover letter with resume.
YES is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to having a diverse staff team. LGBTQ , BIPOC , and Enabled encouraged to apply.
Salary : $23 - $28