Family Certified Peer Specialist - CCST School Programs

About the role

Kitsap Mental Health Services believes families are strongest when they have support, understanding, and someone who can walk alongside them through challenges. This role provides school-based and community-based peer support to parents, caregivers, children, and youth who are navigating behavioral health needs. Drawing from lived experience, the Family Peer Support Specialist helps families build skills, increase resilience, strengthen advocacy, and access the resources they need to achieve stability and success.

Responsibilities

• Provide peer support, encouragement, and mentorship to youth and their parents or caregivers.
• Share lived experience to promote hope, resilience, recovery, and family empowerment.
• Support families in developing behavior management strategies, coping skills, and wellness goals.
• Partner with clinical teams to help youth and families identify strengths and create meaningful goals.
• Assist families in navigating behavioral health, educational, healthcare, child welfare, and other community systems.
• Attend meetings with families as needed, including IEP meetings, court proceedings, FTDM meetings, and other service-related appointments.
• Help parents and caregivers strengthen self-advocacy skills and ensure their voices are heard in service planning.
• Connect families with community resources and support services.
• Build trusting relationships with youth and families through active listening, coaching, and ongoing support.
• Complete required documentation accurately and within established timeframes.
• Participate in supervision, team meetings, required trainings, and professional development activities.

Requirements

• High School Diploma or GED
• Experienced—minimum of two (2) years of job-related experience.
• Agency Affiliated Counselor Registration.
• Completion of the Washington State Mental Health Division’s Peer Counselor Training and the subsequent certification as a Peer Counselor within six months of employment.
• Must meet all agency driving requirements, including being at least 21 years old, having been licensed for a minimum of three years, successfully completing a motor vehicle history check, possessing and maintaining a current, valid driver’s license in the state of Washington, and having reliable, insured transportation.

Preferred Qualifications

• Associate’s degree in social work, psychology, or behavioral health field.
• Relevant experience working with individuals with mental health and behavioral health challenges, including those with severe and persistent mental illness.

Skills

• Skill in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with other employees, clients, organizations, and the public.
• Strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage, inspire hope, and provide coaching to others.
• Communicates clearly and concisely.
• The ability to operate a personal computer, fax machine, printer, and copier proficiently.

Benefits

• Comprehensive Coverage: Health, Dental & Vision
• Generous Time Off Benefits: 8 weeks of vacation in the summer, plus scheduled school-year breaks (2 weeks in winter and 1 week in spring), and 80 hours of sick leave annually.
• Fully Paid YMCA Membership for you and eligible family members
• Company-Paid Life & Disability Insurance
• Student Loan Assistance & Professional Development
• 403(b) Retirement Plan with Company Contributions
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Pet Insurance
• Free Wellness App (2MorrowHealth)

Pay

Hiring Range: $22.90 – $28.05 Per Hour. This position follows a 92% compensation structure to align with the academic calendar year and scheduled working hours.

Schedule

Full-Time, On-Site (includes community outreach)