Job Announcement

Title: Peer Services Specialist - FCS Supported Employment

Part/ Full Time: Full Time – 40 hours/week (Tuesday–Saturday)

Reports to: Program Manager

Supervisory role: No

Starting Pay: $23.00 - $25.16 per hour DOE

Candidates who identify with one or more of the following are STRONGLY encouraged to apply:

• Lived experience with addiction and/or mental health challenges and in recovery for at least 1 year.
• BIPOC identified individuals.
• LGBTQIA identified individuals.
• Veterans

Purpose/Vision/Mission

Peer Washington's purpose is to provide peer emotional support and development services to:

• Washington state residents impacted by temporary or chronic addiction, mental health and/or HIV/AIDS, or other sexually transmitted diseases.
• Target disparately impacted communities through site expansion operated as a dba of Peer Washington named for location and guided by a charter identifying the target community served.
• Maintain safe space for members identified as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, gender non-conforming, or other sexual minorities at all our locations regardless of the target community.
• Services shall be open to any person impacted by addiction, mental health, or HIV/AIDS; however, outreach for each site will be directed toward the community identified in the site charter.
• Our work is done in a spirit of safety, trust, inclusiveness, and celebration of individual differences.

Peer Washington envisions a community of peers connected by shared experience in compassionate support of one another.

General Summary

Peer emotional support is the foundation of the services provided by Peer Kent. The ability to discuss struggles and successes related to experiences shared by another individual promotes healing and compliments traditionally accepted professional services in the healthcare system. The role of the Peer Services Specialist is to work with individuals who are struggling with issues related to mental health and/or addiction challenges. The Peer Services Specialist will be an accountability partner to help members plan, evaluate, and maintain their recovery journey by engaging in a positive, supportive relationship. The Peer Services Specialist is also responsible for demonstrating and inspiring hope, trust, and a positive outlook and optimizing client connection with a broad range of community-based services and natural supports.

Primary Responsibilities

• Work directly with the Program Manager to establish guidelines, best practices, client tracking, and expectations in the development and application of this new position.
• Work with members early in recovery from or struggling with mental health and/or addiction challenges to provide support and referral services.
• Provide intake services and case management for service contracts.
• Maintain weekly contact with assigned members.
• Submit data and other reporting in a timely fashion.
• Develop relationships with community partners.
• Act as a representative on behalf of Peer Kent as needed with regards to community collaborations and events as assigned by the Program Manager. This includes reporting back to the Program Manager with updates and for direction on how to proceed with our involvement.
• Attend on-going training programs offered to enhance effectiveness of role.
• See addendum for additional responsibilities.

Addendum: Foundational Community Supports (FCS)/ Responsibilities for Supported Employment

• Ability to provide the Peer Kent community education on FCS benefits and Supported Employment Principles
• Maintains referral intake data collection and assures timely follow-up
• Ability to develop expertise in the supported employment arena by working with the Peer Kent community care providers, service partners, and other resources regarding Individual Placement Services (IPS) employment.
• Maintain accurate records on provided services for verifiable peer FCS service billing.
• Must be able to do outreach throughout King County, including transportation necessary to provide supported employment services (including direct transportation of member as needed).
• Knowledge of Individual Placement Services (IPS), supported employment, reasonable accommodations, and related resources.
• Ability to make connections with business and employers who are willing to hire our members.
• Knowledge of continued education and job skills program.

Required Qualifications

• Must identify as someone in recovery from mental health and/or addiction challenges and in remission for a period of at least one year.
• Must have great organizational, documenting, communication, and service development skills.
• Proficient level of ability with computer software: Microsoft Office Products.

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous experience working as a Certified Peer Counselor (CPC) or Peer Recovery Coach.
• Experience working in Supportive Employment or Peer Employment services.
• Knowledge of Supported Employment and/or Foundational Community Support services.

Additional Benefits

• Starting wage $23.00 - $25.16 per hour DOE
• Bi-annual bonus potential. 
• Paid Vacation Time – 3 weeks per year, accrued hourly based on hours worked at 0.0580 hours per hour worked, 120-hour maximum annual carryover. 
• Paid Sick Time accrued hourly based on hours worked at 0.0580 hours per hour worked equivalent to three weeks per year at 40 hours per week. 
• 2 personal days if hired after 5/1/2024, 3 personal days per calendar year thereafter. 
• 13 paid holidays per calendar year. 
• Business cell phone and service will be provided. 
• Monthly parking pass or travel stipend. 
• Corporate credit card.
• Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, AD&D, WA Short Term Disability, Long Term Disability and Worker compensation; employee premiums covered by employer at 100% for employee. 
• Employee Assistance Program. 
• Employer Sponsored IRA with up to 3% employer match. 

If you are interested in applying for this position, please submit a cover letter AND resume.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $23.00 - $25.16 per hour

Expected hours: 40 per week

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift

People with a criminal record are encouraged to apply

Ability to Commute:

• Kent, WA (Required)

Ability to Relocate:

• Kent, WA: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person