Peer Services Specialist – Family Navigator

Title: Peer Services Specialist – Family Navigator

Part / Full Time: Full Time

Hourly / Salary: Hourly

Starting Pay Scale: $22.97- $25.16 per hour DOE

Reports to: Program Manager

Supervisory Role: No

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

• Individuals with lived experience in mental health and/or substance abuse
• 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 member 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, member tracking, and expectations in the development and application of this new position.
• Work with family members supporting loved ones that are early in recovery from or struggling with substance use disorder, mental health, and/or behavioral health concerns to provide support and referral services.
• Provide intake services and case management for programming contracts.
• Maintain weekly contact with assigned members.
• Submit data and other reporting in a timely fashion.
• Develop relationships with community partners.
• Attend all monthly staff meetings.
• Collaborate with other peers as requested in providing support to family members.
• Respond to all phone calls and emails within 1 business day.
• 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 directions on how to proceed with our involvement.
• Maintain clear communication with staff and volunteers. This includes keeping the Program Manager updated on weekly schedules and copied on all important communication.
• Attend on-going training programs offered to enhance effectiveness of role.

Required Qualifications

• Must identify as a family member (relatives and/or loved ones) of someone in recovery from substance use disorder and/or mental health and in remission for a period of at least one year.
• Must be trained and certified as a peer recovery coach through Peer WA, CCAR, or equivalent training model within the first six months of hire.
• Must have experience working as a peer recovery coach.
• Must have great organizational, documenting, communication, and program development skills.
• Ability to be an active listener by asking questions and reflecting on what is being said.
• Proficient level of ability with computer software: Microsoft Office Products.
• Ability to work both independently and under supervision.
• Ability to maintain healthy boundaries with peers.
• Ability to manage time effectively.

Additional Qualifications

• Ability to collaborate with Peer WA staff, coaches, and volunteers, providing training and coaching related to role as needed.
• Maintain referral intake data collection and assure timely follow-up with referred individuals.
• Ability to develop expertise in providing peer support to individuals involved in the justice system including referral to community care providers, service partners, and other resources.
• Coordinate referrals to Peer WA for all available peer services and support Peer WA staff in the provision of those services.
• Schedule and facilitate support groups based on identified needs and encourage individuals in receiving training.

Family Navigator Addendum

• Identify appropriate community support resources to refer and/or link family members.
• Recruit, mentor, and support family members to be trained as volunteer family navigators.
• Provide direct peer navigation and resource linkage support to family members as needed.
• Collaborate with site staff and agency-wide staff on the development and/or deepening of peer support for family members.
• Maintain accurate records of service output.
• Exercise discretion and confidentiality during communication with family members, agencies, and community partners.
• Knowledge of methods and procedures of providing outreach-based community support services.

Additional Compensation

• Starting wage $22.97- $25.16 per hour DOE
• Paid Vacation Time – 3 weeks per year, accrued at 4.615hrs per biweekly pay period, 120-hour maximum annual carryover.
• Paid Sick Time – 80 Hours per year, accrued at 3.077hrs per biweekly pay period, 480-hour maximum annual carryover.
• One Personal Day if hired prior to March 8, 2025. Three Personal Days per quarter thereafter.  Personal days do not carry over from year to year, have no monetary value, and are forfeited upon employment separation.
• Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, AD&D, and Long-Term Disability; employee premiums covered by employer at 100% for employees.
• Simple IRA through Charles Schwab with an employer match of up to 3%
• Employee Assistance Program through Mutual of Omaha
• Work cell phone through AT&T
• Peer Washington covers the employee portion of Washington Unemployment and Paid Family Medical Leave at 100%.

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

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $22.97 - $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

Work Location: In person

Salary : $23 - $25