WISe Youth Partner

About Akin

Akin partners with children, families, and communities to build relationships and support well-being so everyone can thrive. Through our early learning programs, we create inclusive, nurturing environments where children feel safe, supported, and inspired to learn.

Position Summary

The WISe Youth Partner is a Certified Peer Specialist who draws on their own lived experience as a young person who has navigated trauma, emotional or behavioral health challenges, and involvement in child-serving systems. In this role, you are a trusted bridge between the youth you serve and the WISe team — ensuring that the voice and choice of each young person is genuinely heard, respected, and reflected at every stage of the process.

Essential Functions

• Serve as the primary champion for the voice and choice of each WISe participant, ensuring their perspective is articulated and honored throughout every phase of the WISe process.
• Build trusting relationships with youth who may be reluctant to share their views, especially those who have been marginalized or dismissed in previous system experiences.
• Assess and support the youth’s ability and confidence to communicate their own perspective and preferences, and actively work to strengthen that capacity over time.
• Coach youth to develop communication, self-advocacy, and self-regulation skills that help them take an active role in their own treatment and goal-setting.
• Engage with youth to identify and engage natural supports in the wraparound process.
• Collaborate with CFT members and complete assigned tasks on the care plan relevant to this role.
• Communicate with the team about progress and completion of assigned tasks.
• Coordinate strategies and approaches with clinicians and other team members to ensure consistency.
• Maintain productivity standards for direct service as established for the position.
• Ensure timely collection of statistical information for funding sources and program evaluations.
• Ensure compliance with all Akin policies, applicable contracts, and Federal, State, and local confidentiality requirements.
• Perform documentation reviews and self-audits as required by the WISe Coach or as needs arise.
• Participate in scheduled supervision, team meetings, and administrative meetings; utilize reflective supervision to support professional growth and quality client care.

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

• Lived experience as a young person who has navigated trauma and/or significant emotional or behavioral health challenges, with personal involvement in at least one child-serving system (e.g., mental health, child welfare, juvenile justice, special education).
• A demonstrated ability to connect authentically with youth who may feel unheard, distrustful, or disengaged from services.
• The ability to draw on your own story to build hope and trust without centering your experience over the youth’s.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with warmth, patience, and genuine enthusiasm for young people’s growth.
• Commitment to accessibility, inclusion, and belonging; demonstrated openness to learning and contributing to an equitable workplace.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Outlook and Word; strong typing skills.

Physical Demands

• While performing the essential duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, sit, talk, hear, and use hands and fingers to operate a computer and telephone keyboard; occasionally to reach, stoop and kneel.
• Regular, predictable attendance is required.

Minimum Qualifications

• Have or obtain the Peer Counselor Certification from the State of Washington within 6 months of hire (Akin will support with the process to obtain this certification).
• Proof of CPR and First Aid Certification is required within 30 days.
• A one-step Mantoux TB skin test prior to start of employment. For those who have previously tested positive, documented proof of treatment from a doctor, or a negative chest x-ray must be provided.
• HIV/AIDS and blood borne pathogens training required within 30 days.
• A valid driver’s license and a favorable driving record, with no more than three violations within the past three years.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior experience in a peer support role.

Salary Range And Benefits

We provide a comprehensive benefits package, including competitive pay, medical, dental and retirement benefits and paid time off. As required by various pay transparency laws, we share a competitive range of compensation for candidates hired into each position. The target starting pay for this position is $23.636 - $27.7685 per hour, typically within the first half of these ranges. Actual offers will be based on individual qualifications relevant to the role and will not take an applicant’s pay history into account. The range above allows our employees room for growth during their tenure in the position.

WHY JOIN AKIN?

• Make a meaningful impact in the lives of children and families.
• Work in a collaborative, mission-driven environment.
• Access ongoing professional development and growth opportunities.
• Be part of a team committed to inclusion, belonging, and community.

Commitment To Equity And Inclusion

Akin is committed to creating a diverse, inclusive, and equitable workplace. We welcome candidates from all backgrounds and encourage individuals who bring lived experience and diverse perspectives to apply.