Certified Peer Support Specialist- WISe

Join our team as a Certified Peer Support Specialist at Behavioral Health Services in Yakima, WA. We are a leading community health center in the Pacific Northwest with 40+ clinics across Washington and Oregon, offering medical, dental, pharmacy, orthodontia, nutritional counseling, autism screening, behavioral health, and holistic support services including shelter, energy, weatherization, HIV and AIDS counseling, home visits, and mobile medical/dental clinics.

Pay

$20.39–$22.24/hour DOE, with the ability to go higher for highly experienced candidates. Additional bilingual differential pay for hours worked when an ALTA score of 9 is achieved.

Benefits

• 100% employer-paid health insurance (medical, dental, vision, Rx, 24/7 telemedicine)
• Profit sharing & 403(b) retirement plan
• Generous PTO and 8 paid holidays

Responsibilities

• Provide peer counseling to youth and families individually and in groups, in homes, meetings, courtrooms, hospitals, schools, and community settings
• Assess and identify lagging skills, interests, or motivators to ensure successful engagement in the WISe model
• Establish and maintain rapport through community and in-home engagements to encourage participation and retention
• Complete CANS assessments and screen individuals for WISe eligibility using state-mandated criteria
• Complete required written narratives (Strengths, Needs, Cultural Discovery) with family input and update throughout the program
• Provide peer consultation and share lived experience to support families learning new skills
• Use lived experience for peer counseling in crisis stabilization, recovery, self-advocacy, health and wellness, and community living skills development
• Amplify family voice and choice in planning and service provision
• Model competency in recovery (mental health, addictions) and ongoing coping skills
• Share personal experiences to build trust and encourage program participants
• Ensure youth/families are present for decisions about them and encourage active role in care planning
• Provide 24-hour crisis support by phone or in-person response to home, hospital, or community settings
• Participate in crisis response on-call rotation, including after-hours coverage
• Assist individuals with completing action steps per the plan of care
• Provide feedback to the team on family interactions, cultural norms, and preferences in goal setting
• Provide skill training, encouragement, emotional support, and behavior redirection
• Instruct and model appropriate behaviors
• Communicate and educate agency staff on family voice, choice, and family-driven care principles
• Facilitate Child and Family Team meetings and agendas in the Care Coordinator’s absence
• Assist families in identifying and recruiting natural supports by strengthening interpersonal relationships and community resources
• Complete all required documentation per YVFWC and applicable standards
• Meet productivity and service-specific requirements
• Participate in program meetings as required
• Purchase food and supplies following policies and procedures
• Perform responsibilities in alignment with The Joint Commission (TJC), HRSA, and YVFWC requirements
• Perform other duties as assigned

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED
• Must self-identify as a person with lived experience: one or more years in recovery from a mental health condition, substance use disorder, or both, OR be a parent/legal guardian of a youth receiving or having received behavioral health services
• Certified Peer Support Specialist (CPSS) credential OR meet CPSS requirements: lived experience (as defined), verification of supervised experience per WAC 246-929-150, completed 80-hour training course, and application for CPSS submitted within 45 days of hire
• Basic Life Support (BLS) certification within 45 days of hire
• Valid driver’s license and proof of automobile liability insurance
• Bilingual English/Spanish speaking skills preferred at ALTA level 9 (eligible for bilingual differential compensation)
• Knowledge of Trauma-Informed Care
• Knowledge of Yakima County services and resources for youth and families
• Knowledge of cultural differences and impact on support provided
• Knowledge of Mental Health First Aid
• Conflict resolution and de-escalation skills
• Effective verbal, written, and listening communication skills
• Non-judgmental attitude toward youth, families, and professionals
• Ability to maintain appreciation and acceptance of parents, including their choices
• Independent judgment and solid decision-making
• Ability to apply coping skills when exposed to vicarious trauma
• Knowledge of Children’s Behavioral Health/WISe principles
• Ability to work in a team-oriented, collaborative environment
• Ability to establish rapport with youth/families, participate in physical activities, and redirect negative behavior
• Basic proficiency with Microsoft Outlook, Word, and Excel

Schedule & Working Conditions

• Flexible hours required, including evenings and weekends
• Participation in crisis response on-call rotation with after-hours coverage
• Ability to travel, reliable transportation required, and ability to transport clients
• Services often provided in homes, schools, and community-based settings
• May involve exposure to secondary trauma while providing direct services to individuals with behavioral health challenges, trauma exposure, gang involvement, substance abuse, mental health diagnoses, homelessness, and/or violent behavior tendencies
• May require active participation in activities with clients to ensure supervision and therapeutic engagement