Description

Our vision is to ensure that Washington state’s children and youth grow up safe and healthy thriving physically, emotionally and academically, nurtured by family and community."

Job Title : Peer Support and Crisis Response Specialist / Program Specialist 4 (PS4)

Location : Olympia, WA / Hybrid with regular onsite attendance in offices.

Closes : June 26th, 2024

Salary : $4,968.00 - $6,676.00 Monthly

The Peer Support and Crisis Response Specialists will be responding to the needs of all DCYF Staff. The incumbent will be present in DCYF offices and facilities to build relationships, provide support, and offer consultation on support and wellness needs of the staff.

This position will require regular regional travel and the ability to work independently. The incumbent will be expected to interact with all levels of DCYF staff to ensure the regional needs are met.

This position works closely with the Peer Support and Crisis Response Coordinators, the Peer Support and Crisis Response Administrator, and the Critical Incident Clinical Supports Administrator.

This position is a hybrid opportunity, as the official workstation is the incumbent's home; however, regular presence in DCYF offices and facilities is expected.

Additionally, the incumbent will provide peer support needs over telephone and video conferencing. This position will also be part of deployment efforts when responding to critical incidents that have impacted DCYF staff.

The incumbent will be responsible for providing direct peer support sessions, as well as group facilitation and presentations / trainings.

Click here to learn more about DCYF.

The Opportunity :

The Peer Support & Crisis Response Specialist position reports directly to the Peer Support & Crisis Response Coordinator and provides trauma-informed, healing-centered, and evidence-based practices for all DCYF divisions and programs.

This position specializes in both Peer Support and Crisis Response programs, coordinates a team of DCYF Peer Support volunteers, and provides continuous improvement and monitoring of the Peer Support and Critical Incident / Crisis Response programs.

In addition to managing the two components of the program, this position also provides training and consultation to all DCYF divisions on secondary trauma and staff wellness.

This position performs a wide scope of complex duties and responsibilities in managing aspects of the program. This position will also exercise independent judgement and have delegated decision-making authority regarding peer support, crisis response, and consultation.

These programs provide direct services and support to DCYF staff in response to critical incidents and situations in the workplace that result in direct and secondary trauma.

This work comprises proactive, proximal support to manage acute and cumulative stress in the workplace that includes, but is not limited to, secondary trauma, workplace stress, and other traumatic work-related events.

Some of what you will do :

Provide Peer Support and Critical Incident Crisis Response Services : Manage the components of Peer Support Response by creating an atmosphere of support and promoting resilience for DCYF staff in all divisions.

Conduct in-person, telephonic, and / or virtual support sessions. Coordinate, plan, and promote peer support drop-in sessions.

Analyze and assess situational crises and apply critical thinking and judgement to determine the best approach and application of program work.

Manage complex components of staff related crisis and determine the appropriate response.

Coordination and Quality AssuranceOversee peer support sessions performed by volunteers. Develop and provide training materials and facilitation for volunteers.

Adhere to program performance standards and evaluates work performed by volunteers to ensure quality. Gather feedback from volunteer staff about programs and serve as a conduit between staff and Peer Support Crisis Response Coordinators.

Required Qualifications :

• Equivalent combination of education and experience totaling six (6) years of applicable work, lived, or volunteer experience related to planning, administering, developing, or delivering social service programs.
• Associate degree in mental health, social services or a related field AND four (4) years of applicable work, lived, or volunteer experience related to planning, administering, developing or delivering social service programs.
• Bachelor’s degree in mental health, social services, or a related field AND two (2) years of applicable work, lived, or volunteer experience related to planning, administering, developing, or delivering social service programs.

In addition to those required qualifications, our ideal applicant will also have some or all of the following :

• Demonstrated ability to deliver crisis response, peer support, trauma-informed and evidence-based wellness practices.
• Previous experience working with people of diverse backgrounds within a culturally responsive and inclusive work environment.
• Demonstrated effective verbal and written communication skills.
• Demonstrated skills in practice of objective judgement and task flexibility.
• Demonstrated effective facilitation of and participation in multi-size groups to reach consensus or positive outcomes.
• Demonstrated knowledge of applicable federal, state and department regulations and policies governing statewide DCYF services and supports.

Last updated : 2024-06-18