Youth Peer Support Specialist - Wraparound Services

Full-Time Youth Peer Specialist – WISe Team

Hiring Range: $20.07 - $24.58 Per Hour

WISe Team Members Earn An Additional $2.00/Hour Differential!

Benefits: 

• Comprehensive Health & Wellness Coverage: Enjoy extensive health, dental, and vision benefits to support your well-being, with access to top-tier care and services.
• Generous Paid Time Off: Take advantage of up to 19 days of paid time off (PTO), plus 2 mental health days and 10 paid holidays in your first year, giving you the time you need to recharge and take care of yourself. (Pro-rated for part-time employees.)
• Company-Paid Life & Disability Insurance: We’ve got you covered with short-term disability, long-term disability, and life insurance, all provided at no cost to you, so you can feel secure in every situation.
• Student Loan Assistance & Professional Development: Benefit from student loan repayment assistance and a commitment to your growth with extensive training and development opportunities to advance your career.
• 403(b) Retirement Plan: Take control of your future with a wide range of investment options in our 403(b) plan. Depending on eligibility, you could also receive generous company contributions to help grow your retirement savings.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP): Access confidential support through our EAP, offering resources for personal and professional challenges, including counseling, financial advice, and more.
• Pets Best Pet Insurance: Keep your furry family members healthy with comprehensive pet insurance for your cats and dogs, covering a variety of treatments and services.
• 2MorrowHealth Behavioral Change App: Improve your mental and physical well-being with free access to 2MorrowHealth, a powerful app designed to support healthy behavior changes and wellness goals.
• Home Support Services: Whether you’re buying, selling, or refinancing, we offer valuable resources to assist with your home journey, helping you navigate the process with confidence.
• Dynamic, Collaborative Team Environment: Join an incredible team that thrives on collaboration, creativity, and support, where every voice is heard and every idea valued.

Kitsap Mental Health Services (KMHS) is hiring a Youth Peer Specialist to provide peer support services to youth and families dealing with serious emotional disturbances. As a key Child & Family Wraparound Intensive Services (WISe) team member, the Youth Peer Specialist will help youth identify goals that promote recovery and resiliency while fostering hope and empowerment. This role is vital in building a support network, advocating for youth and families, and serving as a liaison between clients and child and family service systems. If you have lived experience as a youth in the mental health system and want to use your insights to help others, we encourage you to apply

Primary Responsibilities:

• Use personal lived experience to validate clients' experiences, provide guidance, and encourage responsibility and participation in recovery.
• Assist clients with daily living skills, including hygiene, nutrition education, and access to healthcare.
• Provide social and interpersonal support, coaching, and engagement in community activities.
• Offer transition support from hospitalization to the community, including medication management and crisis intervention.
• Act as a liaison between clients and the treatment team, advocating for client needs and perspectives.
• Assist clients and families in identifying, understanding, and combating stigma and discrimination.
• Participate in Child and Family Team (CFT) meetings and additional support meetings as needed.
• Assist in developing self-directed recovery action plans using wraparound principles.
• Provide referrals and linkages to resources within the community.
• Transport clients and provide in-community support as needed.
• Complete all required training, maintain accurate documentation, and participate in agency development activities.

Minimum Qualifications:

EDUCATION: High School Diploma or GED

EXPERIENCE: Experienced (minimum 2 years of job-related experience)

Experience as client involved with the mental health system as a youth

This position requires driving clients in a personal vehicle on behalf of the agency; therefore, the incumbent must meet agency driving requirements, including meeting the minimum age requirement of 21 years old, successfully completing a motor vehicle history check, possessing and maintaining a current, valid driver's license in the state of Washington, and having reliable, insured transportation.

LICENSURE: Agency Affiliated Counselor Registration. Completion of the Washington State Mental Health Division’s Peer Counselor Training and the subsequent certification as a Peer Counselor within six months of employment.

Preferred Qualifications:

EDUCATION: Associate’s degree (Social Work, Psychology or Behavioral Health field)

EXPERIENCE: Relevant experience working with clients with severe and persistent mental illness.

Capacity to work well with children and families.

Performance Requirements:

KNOWLEDGE:

1.                  Maintain a working knowledge of current trends in community mental health, including health care reform and automation of job tasks using computer technology.
2.                  Maintain a certification as a Child and Adolescent Needs and Strengths Assessor and administer this screening in person and over the phone as necessary to clients, caregivers, clinicians, social workers, and other community members
3.                  Maintain a working knowledge of mental health rehabilitation standards.
4.                  Working knowledge of the system of care and community resources.

SKILLS:

1.                  Skill in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with other employees, clients, organizations, and the public.
2.                  Communication ‑ Communicates clearly and concisely.
3.                  Computer skills - The ability to operate a personal computer, fax machine, printer, and copier proficiently.

Abilities:

• Ability to maintain complete and timely documentation of clinical files and gather and maintain data information in accordance with agency policies and procedures.
• Demonstrated ability to maintain appropriate professional boundaries while working with families.
• Demonstrated ability to meet or exceed productivity standards.
• Demonstrated ability to work cooperatively and collaboratively as a team member.

Equipment Operated: Standard office equipment including computers, fax machines, copiers, printers, telephones, etc.

Work Environment: Frequent mobility and/or sitting required for extended periods.

Mental/Physical Requirements: While performing the job duties, the employee is required to walk, sit, use hands and fingers, reach with arms, talk, or listen.  Peripheral vision is also required for this position.

Our recruitment processes are designed to prevent discrimination against our people regardless of gender identity or orientation, religion, ethnicity, age, neurodiversity, disability status, citizenship, or any aspect which makes someone unique.