Peer Support Specialist - MRSS Parent Partner

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, evidence and strength-based peer support and parenting skills coaching to parents to decrease crisis and increase in-home stabilization. Identifies parenting resources and supports and teaches parents the skills to effectively navigate resources in order to meet priority needs. Collaborates effectively with co-workers, supervisors and outside professionals to meet crisis prevention plan and action plan goals. Helps engage families in the Wraparound Team process. Supports the parents and acts as a bridge between the family and system representatives.

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

• Individual membership to the YMCA of Greater Seattle
• Free access to mental health resources
• Rapidly accruing paid time off (PTO) available immediately upon hire

Pre-Certified Peer Counselor: Hiring Range: $22.50 – 24.50/hr

Certified Peer Counselor: Hiring Range: $24.50 – 27.50/hr

Location: Bothell or Bellevue
Schedule: Monday-Friday 9am-5pm with occasional earlier mornings/later evening shifts as needed.

1. Provides immediate and scheduled crisis outreach services to families in King County and additional coverage as needed.
2. On-call shifts once per week of 6 hours in duration, and additional weekend on-call shifts every seven weeks
3. Flexes schedule to include evenings and weekends to meet the needs of families.
4. Provides culturally competent, evidence and strength-based peer support and parenting skills coaching to parents to decrease crisis and increase in-home stabilization.
5. Identifies parenting resources and supports and teaches parents the skills to effectively navigate resources.
6. Collaborates effectively with co-workers, supervisors and outside professionals to meet action plan goals.
7. Uses triage, supervision and case consultation effectively to ensure best services for children and families.
8. Transports parents/families to appointments, meetings, or other locations as needed to support the action plan and linkage to community resources.
9. Works with families to build their own "Child & Family Team". Attends wrap around and other team meetings to support parents and ensure that their voice is heard. Acts as a role model for effective coping techniques and self-help strategies.
10. Maintains a working knowledge of current trends and developments in mental health.
11. Completes required documentation within program deadlines. Reports all critical incidents and adheres to YMCA program rules and procedures.

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. Trained in and familiar with recovery model to assist families and youth focus on strengths, gain client voice and partner with their clinical teams.
3. Experience serving families of children and youth with emotional or behavioral problems, developmental delays, substance abuse history or other challenges.

4. Other applicable education, training, and experience, which provide the knowledge, abilities, and skills necessary to perform effectively in the position will be considered.

5. Demonstrated ability to engage families in a structured process to verbalize needs, develop individualized plans, facilitate recovery, and transition to reliance on natural supports.
6. Knowledge of community services and resources including: parent support groups, mental health, substance abuse, child welfare, juvenile justice, developmental disabilities, special education programs, etc.
7. Experience with crisis de-escalation and crisis stabilization practices.
8. WA State Peer Counselor Certification preferred and required within one year of employment.
9. Ability to work flexible hours as needed, including evenings and weekends.
10. 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.)
11. Prefer knowledge of, and previous experience with, diverse populations (language, culture, race, physical activity, sexual orientation, etc.). Ability to speak any language in addition to English may be helpful.
12. Current State-approved first aid certification, state-approved CPR certification, BBP (HIV/AIDS) training certification.*
13. TB test by the Mantoux method.**
14. Washington State Agency Affiliated Counseling Credential.***

*Within 30 days of employment or first available training.

**Within 30 days of employment.

***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