Peer Support Specialist

Our Commitment to Equity
The Y actively promotes a culture free from bias and injustice. We are dedicated to removing institutional and systemic barriers that result in oppression and racism. We will be accountable to marginalized communities for creating equitable and sustainable environments where social justice is woven into every facet of our programs, and by caring for our communities in a culturally versatile and respectful manner.

Job Summary

Provides culturally competent, and strength-based peer support to families to decrease crisis, increase in-home stabilization, and assist families in decreasing negative contact with law enforcement and the juvenile justice system. Identifies natural supports and coaches parent/caregiver skills to effectively navigate community resources to meet priority needs.  Provides services in client homes, schools or other convenient community locations. The goals of Parent Partner Peer Support include identifying parenting resources and supports, coaching parents/caregivers to effectively and peacefully resolve conflict in the home, and assist in navigating systems that impact family, such as the educational system, mental health, substance use, or juvenile justice. Collaborates effectively with co-workers, supervisors, outside professionals and others involved in delivering care to meet safety plan needs and action plan goals. This may include collaborating with law enforcement with the goal of reducing harm to youth and family. Supports the family and acts as a bridge between the youth, family and system representatives.  Willing to self-identify as a parent. Because of life experience, such persons have expertise that professional training cannot replicate.

This position is at the Social Impact Center Y, the social services branch of YMCA of Greater Seattle (YGS). The mission of the Social Impact Center Y is to accelerate young people’s ability to build safe, successful, and happy lives. Every year, we serve 5,000 children, youth, young adults, and families across King County with programs that aim to strengthen young people’s ability to develop to their fullest potential through four strategies: reducing risk factors; navigating systems towards successful life transition; ensuring stability, safety and wellness in times of crisis; and building competencies and social capital. The Social Impact Center Y’s programs include housing, behavioral health, foster care licensing, violence prevention, education, and employment. Many of the young people we serve have had involvement in the foster care, criminal justice system, and/or homelessness systems.

What you'll get from working at The Y

• Membership to the YMCA of Greater Seattle for you and your household
• Medical, Dental, Vision, and Life insurance
• Retirement with generous employer contributions
• Free access to mental health resources
• Rapidly-accruing paid time off (PTO) available immediately upon hire
• Discounts on qualifying YMCA of Greater Seattle childcare and day camp programs

Hiring range: $22.50-25.00/hr

Schedule: Monday-Friday; 9am-5pm with occasional earlier mornings and evenings as programmatically necessary

1. Provides both immediate and scheduled community outreach services to families in South King County (Auburn, Kent, Renton, Federal Way and other potential locations) and additional coverage as needed
2. Flexes schedule to include evenings and possible weekends to meet the needs of families.
3. Assist parent/caregiver in developing self-determination and empowerment skills through self-advocacy.
4. Identify family stresses, instability and provide appropriate support.
5. Identifies community resources and natural supports and works with the parent/caregiver to effectively navigate resources.
6. Collaborates effectively with co-workers, supervisors and outside professionals to create and meet action plan goals.
7. Works with families to build their own “Child & Family Team”. Attends wrap around and other team meetings to support youth and ensure that their voice is heard.   Acts as a role model for effective coping techniques and self-help strategies.
8. Maintains a working knowledge of current trends and developments in behavioral health.
9. Completes required documentation within program deadlines.
10. Reports all critical incidents and adheres to YMCA program rules and procedures.
11. Assess and create safety plans to meet immediate safety and stabilization needs
12. Customize helping approaches to fit the family’s uniqueness, personality, culture and interest
13. Reassure and communicate hopefulness so clients know, “they are not in this alone.”
14. Willing and able to self-identify as a person who has lived experience i.e. has or is receiving mental health services and/or interactions with the juvenile court system
15. Articulates own Lived experience and resilience stories in ways that are relevant to the obstacles faced by the youth

Code of Conduct for Applicants

All employees and volunteers are responsible for adhering to abuse prevention policies, maintaining appropriate boundaries, completing required training, reporting suspicious or inappropriate behavior, and complying with mandated reporting requirements.

Responsible for ensuring staff are properly screened, trained, supervised and held accountable to the organization’s abuse risk management standards.

1. Personal experience as a parent or custodial guardian who has sought and received assistance from community mental health and/or school systems (juvenile justice, behavioral health, child welfare, special education) for their own child or youth who experienced emotional and/or behavioral problems.
2. Ability to work independently and as a part of a team
3. Ability to effectively communicate with others
4. Ability to effectively use virtual platforms, such as Zoom and Microsoft Teams, to communicate with team and youth and families.
5. Ability to set priorities and manage time effectively
6. Ability to use a computer and work with Microsoft Windows Outlook and electronic health records data system.
7. Trained in and familiar with recovery model and able to assist families and youth to focus on their strengths, utilize their voice and partner with their team.
8. Demonstrated ability to engage youth and their families in a structured process to verbalize their needs, develop an individualized care plan, and transition to reliance on natural supports.  
9. Knowledge of community services and resources including: support groups, mental health, substance abuse, child welfare, juvenile justice, developmental disabilities, special education programs, etc.
10. Experience with crisis de-escalation and crisis stabilization practices.   
11. The following physical and mental abilities are required: frequent lifting or carrying up to 15 pounds, must be able to hear, frequent standing/walking going up and down stairs due to community outreach basis, ability to communicate effectively in person and/or phone, the ability to read, analyze and interpret information, ability to write reports, correspondence and procedures, ability to maintain notes/records, ability to define and solve practical problems, collect data
12. WA State Peer Counselor Certification preferred and required within one year of employment.
13. Possession of a high school diploma or equivalence preferred
14. Possession of valid driver’s license and have access to a private vehicle for day-to-day job performance and Ability to transport self and youth in a safe and effective manner, and to meet youth and families at their home or in the community. (Proof of adequate vehicle insurance coverage is required.)
15. Knowledge of and previous experience with, diverse populations and ability to speak another language in addition to English strongly preferred.
16. Current State-approved first aid certification, state-approved CPR certification, BBP (HIV/AIDS) training certification.*
17. Washington State Agency Affiliated Counseling Credential.**

*Within 30 days of employment or first available training.

**Training and certification can be completed after hire. Start process of training and certification within the first month of hire and full certification as a Peer within 6 months of hire. 

You'll be a great fit for the Seattle Y if you:

• Thrive on working in a collaborative environment
• Are very adaptable
• Have high ownership and strong work ethic
• Are a great problem solver who can think on your feet
• Truly enjoy being of service to people
• Like being part of a team that cares about one another as people and enjoy working together
• Want to know that the work you do contributes to building a better, stronger community for all

At the Seattle Y, we are an inclusive organization of people with a shared commitment to nurture the potential of youth, promote healthy living, and foster social responsibility. We also believe in supporting the wellbeing of our employees and offer a free Y membership as a benefit of employment. 

Become a leader on our team at the YMCA of Greater Seattle where we promote a continuous learning environment and career opportunities. 

YGS is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to creating a diverse and equitable work environment.  Qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to their race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other status protected by local, state, or federal law.

We are a drug & alcohol-free workplace; all job offers are contingent on the results of a background check. We participate in the Federal E-Verify system.

If you need assistance of any kind with the application process, reach out to [email protected].

MISSION STATEMENT:

Building a community where all people, especially the young, are encouraged to develop their fullest potential in spirit, mind, and body.

OUR VALUES:

• Respect
• Responsibility
• Honesty
• Caring
• Passion for Excellence