Youth Peer Support Specialist (Multilingual)

About the Role

Lutheran Community Services NW is a non-profit organization dedicated to serving communities throughout Washington, Oregon, and Idaho with a wide range of services for individuals of all ages and backgrounds. All LCSNW team members contribute to the mission of partnering with individuals, families and communities for health, justice and hope.

The Youth Peer Support Specialist provides peer-based support, advocacy, and mentorship to youth and families involved in the WISe program, drawing on lived experience to promote engagement, hope, and recovery within a behavioral health setting. This role supports youth in navigating mental health challenges, accessing resources, and addressing barriers that impact their well-being and personal goals. Services are delivered in community-based settings and may include individual support, skills development, outreach, education, and connection to peer-focused activities.

Responsibilities

• Provide peer-based support, mentorship, and advocacy to youth and families involved in the WISe program, drawing on lived experience to promote hope, engagement, and positive behavioral health outcomes.
• Support youth and families in identifying strengths, dreams, goals, and resources that encourage self-direction, choice, and personal growth within a behavioral health setting.
• Promote youth and family leadership, voice, and self-advocacy by supporting meaningful participation in care planning, decision-making, and Child and Family Team (CFT) meetings.
• Share lived experience appropriately and intentionally to model resilience, coping, and personal responsibility, while maintaining professional boundaries and role clarity.
• Participate as an active member of the care team under the supervision of behavioral health professionals, including collaboration with clinicians, Behavioral Health Interventionists, care coordinators, and community partners to support coordinated, youth-centered services.
• Assist youth and families in navigating behavioral health and related service systems, including supporting engagement and bridging during transitions in care.
• Manage an active caseload of up to 25 youth, providing peer support while meeting productivity and documentation expectations for the role. This includes timely and accurate completion of required progress notes, CFT documentation, and other required records within established timelines, in accordance with LCSNW policies, WISe program requirements, and Medicaid standards.

Qualifications

• Must self-identify as a person with lived experience with mental health or substance use services with at least one year of living in recovery
• HS diploma or equivalent
• Washington State Certified Peer Support Specialist (CPSS) credential is required or must be obtained within a specified timeframe after hire. Candidates may be hired as a CPSS Trainee while completing required training and supervised hours.
• An active Agency-Affiliated Counselor (AAC) registration may be required to allow service delivery under supervision during the certification process.
• Fluency in English, both spoken and written
• Intermediate mastery of business applications and productivity suites
• Demonstrates resilience, awareness and self-regulation in navigating challenges, conflict and obstacles/barriers
• Thrives in a diverse and multicultural environment; works with cross-functional teams to develop and implement strategies to enhance end-user experiences throughout the service lifecycle
• Demonstrates exceptional commitment to serving and advocating for diverse and marginalized populations
• Successfully completes tasks in a moderately noisy environment
• Interacts with others and performs tasks in-person and through the use of technology, with long periods of stationary activity and moderate periods of increased activity
• Physical demands may include sitting, standing, walking, driving, and lifting or carrying light materials. Moves equipment/materials weighing up to 25 pounds
• Travels between worksites regularly; responsible for transporting clients in personal and/or agency vehicles, which requires valid driver's license, auto insurance, and motor vehicle records clearance
• Works in a variety of settings, including but not limited to LCSNW office locations, partner agency and community-based settings, client home/community settings, outdoor settings in varying weather conditions, and faith-based settings such as churches
• Meets LCSNW criminal background clearance requirements and other job-relevant clearances as required by the State or program

Benefits

• A 37.5 per hour work week to ensure work/life balance
• Medical, dental, vision, and prescription benefits to keep you and your loved ones healthy
• Employer-paid short- and long-term disability insurance
• Life insurance coverage at no cost to you
• Up to 2 weeks of vacation in your first year (based on hours worked)
• Up to 2 weeks of sick leave (based on hours worked)
• 12 paid agency recognized holidays
• 2 floating holidays to use your way
• 403(b) retirement plan with employer matching (eligibility applies)
• Access to our Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for you and your family
• Potential eligibility for Student Loan Forgiveness through our 501(c)(3) nonprofit status

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