Peer Counselor, WISe Wraparound Services

About the Role

This position serves as a peer support specialist for the King County WISe wraparound intensive mental health services. The role focuses on providing culturally competent, strength-based peer support to youth and their families.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide culturally competent, strength-based peer support to youth and their families.
• Identify support needs and teach youth skills to navigate community resources.
• Provide services in client homes, schools, or other community locations.
• Support youth empowerment and assist in developing skills for improved functioning and quality of life.
• Collaborate with co-workers, supervisors, outside professionals, and others involved in the youth's care.
• Act as a bridge between youth, family, and system representatives.
• Assist in implementing individualized plans of care based on strengths and needs that respect the youth's and family's culture, values, norms, and preferences.
• Provide immediate and scheduled crisis outreach services.
• Assist youth in developing self-determination and empowerment skills through self-advocacy.
• Promote positive self-advocacy skills and empower youth voice and choice.
• Identify youth stresses, instability, and provide appropriate support.
• Help team members, system partners, providers, and families understand youth culture and age-appropriate strengths, needs, and challenges.
• Identify community resources and natural supports and work with youth to navigate them.
• Share stories and experiences to promote learning, recovery, and hope.
• Role model positive communication.
• Encourage youth in completing action steps through motivation, support, and reminders.
• Assist youth in identifying successes and lessons learned through the WISe process.
• Partner with the care coordinator and clinician in developing crisis stabilization plans.
• Transport youth to appointments, meetings, or other locations as needed.
• Work with families to build their "Child & Family Team."
• Attend wrap-around and other team meetings.
• Act as a role model for effective coping techniques and self-help strategies.
• Ensure youth needs are met for WISe meetings.
• Empower youth voice and choice at WISe team meetings.
• Maintain a working knowledge of current trends and developments in behavioral health.
• Complete required documentation within program deadlines.
• Report all critical incidents and adhere to program rules and procedures.

Requirements & Tech Stack

• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Ability to effectively communicate with others.
• Ability to set priorities and manage time effectively.
• Ability to use a computer and work with Microsoft Windows Outlook and electronic health records data systems.
• Trained in and familiar with the recovery model.
• Demonstrated ability to engage youth and families in a structured process.
• Knowledge of community services and resources.
• Experience with crisis de-escalation and crisis stabilization practices.
• Physical abilities: frequent lifting or carrying up to 15 pounds, frequent standing/walking, ability to communicate effectively in person and/or phone, ability to read, analyze, and interpret information, ability to write reports and maintain records, ability to define and solve practical problems, collect data.
• Possession of a valid driver's license and access to a private vehicle for job performance.
• Ability to transport self and youth.
• Proof of adequate vehicle insurance coverage.
• Current State-approved first aid certification, state-approved CPR certification, BBP (HIV/AIDS) training certification.
• Washington State Agency Affiliated Counseling Credential (within 30 days of employment or first available training).
• Authorized Driver Preferred: Must be 21+, have held a driver's license for at least 3 years, pass a drug screen, and meet driving record standards.

Qualifications

• Minimum age of 21 years.
• Lived experience in receiving services as a youth in complex, child-serving systems (juvenile justice, behavioral health, child welfare, special education preferred) and prepared to use that experience in helping others.
• Other applicable education, training, and experience will be considered.
• WA State Peer Counselor Certification preferred and required within one year of employment.
• Possession of a high school diploma or equivalence preferred.
• Prefer knowledge of and previous experience with diverse populations (language, culture, race, physical activity, sexual orientation, etc.).
• Ability to speak any language in addition to English may be helpful.
• Washington State Agency Affiliated Counseling Credential (to be started within the first month of hire and fully certified within 6 months of hire).

For Pre-Certified Peer Counselor

• WA State Certified Peer Support Specialist Trainee or Certified Peer Support Specialist credential required within one year of employment.

For Certified Peer Counselor

• WA State Certified Peer Support Specialist Trainee or Certified Peer Support Specialist credential required within 30 days of employment.

Schedule

• Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm.
• Occasional evenings and possible weekends to meet family needs.
• Community-based role.