Title: Peer Services Specialist - Supported Employment
Part / Full Time: Full Time
Hourly / Salary: Hourly
Pay Scale: $22.07 - $24.18 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 Olympia. 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, addiction and/or chronic illness. 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 client 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, client tracking, and expectations in the development and application of this position.
- · Work with members early in recovery who are struggling with mental health and/or addiction challenges to provide support and referral services.
- · Provide intake services and case management for service contracts.
- · Maintain weekly contact with assigned members.
- · Submit data and other reporting in a timely fashion.
- · Develop relationships with community partners.
- · Act as a representative on behalf of Peer Olympia 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 for direction on how to proceed with our involvement.
- · Attend on-going training programs offered to enhance effectiveness of role.
Addendum - Responsibilities for Supported Employment
- · Ability to provide the Peer Olympia community education on Supported Employment and Education Principles.
- · Maintains referral intake data collection and assures timely follow-up.
- · Ability to develop expertise in the supported employment arena by working with the Peer Olympia community care providers, service partners, and other resources regarding Individual Placement Services (IPS) employment.
- · Maintain accurate records on provided services.
- · Must be able to do outreach throughout Thurston, Mason, Lewis, Gray’s Harbor counties, and Tribal communities, including transportation necessary to provide supported employment services.
- · Knowledge of Individual Placement Services (IPS), supported employment, reasonable accommodations, and related resources.
- · Ability to make connections with business and employers who are willing to hire our members.
- · Knowledge of continued education and job skills programs.
Required Qualifications
- · Must identify as someone in recovery from mental health and/or addiction challenges and in remission for a period of at least one year.
- · Must have great organizational, documenting, communication, and service development skills.
- · Proficient level of ability with computer software: Microsoft Office Products.
- · Ability to successfully pass a pre-employment background check.
- · Must have own vehicle, valid Washington driver’s license, and proof of liability insurance.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience working in Supported Employment or Peer Employment services.
- Knowledge of Supported Employment and/or Foundational Community Support services
Compensation
- · Starting wage $22.07 - $24.18 per hour DOE
- · Paid Vacation Time – 3 weeks per year, accrued at 5.0 hours per bimonthly pay period, 120-hour maximum annual carryover.
- · Paid Sick Time – 80 Hours per year, accrued at 3.33 hours per bimonthly pay period, 480-hour maximum annual carryover.
- · Two Personal Days if hired prior to August 8th, 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
- · 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 your resume AND cover letter.
Pay: $22.07 - $24.18 per hour
Benefits:
- Bereavement leave
- Dental insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Mileage reimbursement
- Paid time off
- Retirement plan
- Vision insurance
People with a criminal record are encouraged to apply
Work Location: In person
