Peer Support Specialist

Overview:

Our Commitment to Equity

The Y actively promotes a culture free from bias and injustice. We are dedicated to removing institutional and systemic barriers that result in oppression and racism. We will be accountable to marginalized communities for creating equitable and sustainable environments where social justice is woven into every facet of our programs, and by caring for our communities in a culturally versatile and respectful manner.

Job Summary

Provides culturally competent, and strength-based peer support to families to decrease crisis, increase in-home stabilization, and assist families in decreasing negative contact with law enforcement and the juvenile justice system. Identifies natural supports and coaches parent/caregiver skills to effectively navigate community resources to meet priority needs. Provides services in client homes, schools or other convenient community locations. The goals of Parent Partner Peer Support include identifying parenting resources and supports, coaching parents/caregivers to effectively and peacefully resolve conflict in the home, and assist in navigating systems that impact family, such as the educational system, mental health, substance use, or juvenile justice. Collaborates effectively with co-workers, supervisors, outside professionals and others involved in delivering care to meet safety plan needs and action plan goals. This may include collaborating with law enforcement with the goal of reducing harm to youth and family. Supports the family and acts as a bridge between the youth, family and system representatives. Willing to self-identify as a parent. Because of life experience, such persons have expertise that professional training cannot replicate. This position is on site at our South King County - Auburn office.

This position is at the Social Impact Center Y, the social services branch of YMCA of Greater Seattle (YGS). The mission of the Social Impact Center Y is to accelerate young people's ability to build safe, successful, and happy lives. Every year, we serve 5,000 children, youth, young adults, and families across King County with programs that aim to strengthen young people's ability to develop to their fullest potential through four strategies: reducing risk factors; navigating systems towards successful life transition; ensuring stability, safety and wellness in times of crisis; and building competencies and social capital. The Social Impact Center Y's programs include housing, behavioral health, foster care licensing, violence prevention, education, and employment. Many of the young people we serve have had involvement in the foster care, criminal justice system, and/or homelessness systems. CCORS (Children's Crisis Outreach and Response System) serves families in crisis throughout King county. It is a free program to youth 3-18 y/o. Families and youth participate voluntarily. Their participation is private and CCORS adheres to HIPPA privacy & consent policies.

What you'll get from working at The Y

• Membership to the YMCA of Greater Seattle for you and your household
• Medical, Dental, Vision, and Life insurance
• Retirement with generous employer contributions
• Free access to mental health resources
• Rapidly accruing paid time off (PTO)
• Full-time employees qualify for a 50% discount, and part-time employees qualify for a 25% discount, on eligible Childcare Services.
• Some benefits only available to full-time staff

Peer Support Specialist I: Hiring Range: $22.00 – 25.00/hr

Peer Support Specialist II: Hiring Range: $24.00 – 27.00/hr

**Required qualifications listed below

Responsibilities:

• Provides both immediate and scheduled community outreach services to families in South King County - Auburn and additional coverage as needed.
• Flexes schedule to include evenings and possible weekends to meet the needs of families.
• Assist parent/caregiver in developing self-determination and empowerment skills through self-advocacy.
• Identify family stresses, instability and provide appropriate support.
• Identifies community resources and natural supports and works with the parent/caregiver to effectively navigate resources.
• Collaborates effectively with co-workers, supervisors and outside professionals to create and meet action plan goals.
• Works with families to build their own "Child & Family Team". Attends wrap around and other team meetings to support youth and ensure that their voice is heard. Acts as a role model for effective coping techniques and self-help strategies.
• Maintains a working knowledge of current trends and developments in behavioral health.
• Completes required documentation within program deadlines.
• Reports all critical incidents and adheres to YMCA program rules and procedures.
• Assess and create safety plans to meet immediate safety and stabilization needs
• Customize helping approaches to fit the family's uniqueness, personality, culture and interest
• Reassure and communicate hopefulness so clients know, "they are not in this alone."
• Willing and able to self-identify as a person who has lived experience i.e. has or is receiving mental health services and/or interactions with the juvenile court system
• Articulates own Lived experience and resilience stories in ways that are relevant to the obstacles faced by the youth
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Code of Conduct for Applicants

Qualifications:

• MUST have personal experience as a parent or legal guardian to a child or youth who has experienced any of the following challenges and/or systems: mental/behavioral health needs, developmental delays, substance use, domestic violence, trauma, housing or food insecurity, trafficking, institutional and systemic racism, sexism, classism, transphobia, homophobia, ableism, foster care, family court, emotional, physical, and sexual abuse, etc.
• Ability to work independently and as a part of a team
• Ability to effectively communicate with others
• Ability to effectively use virtual platforms, such as Zoom and Microsoft Teams, to communicate with team and youth and families.
• Ability to set priorities and manage time effectively
• Ability to use a computer and work with Microsoft Windows Outlook and electronic health records data system.
• Trained in and familiar with recovery model and able to assist families and youth to focus on their strengths, utilize their voice and partner with their team.
• Demonstrated ability to engage youth and their families in a structured process to verbalize their needs, develop an individualized care plan, and transition to reliance on natural supports.
• Knowledge of community services and resources including: support groups, mental health, substance abuse, child welfare, juvenile justice, developmental disabilities, special education programs, etc.
• Experience with crisis de-escalation and crisis stabilization practices.
• The following physical and mental abilities are required: frequent lifting or carrying up to 15 pounds, must be able to hear, frequent standing/walking going up and down stairs due to community outreach basis, ability to communicate effectively in person and/or phone, the ability to read, analyze and interpret information, ability to write reports, correspondence and procedures, ability to maintain notes/records, ability to define and solve practical problems, collect data
• WA State Peer Counselor Certification preferred and required within one year of employment.
• Possession of a high school diploma or equivalence preferred
• Possession of valid driver's license and have access to a private vehicle for day-to-day job performance and Ability to transport self and youth in a safe and effective manner, and to meet youth and families at their home or in the community. (Proof of adequate vehicle insurance coverage is required.)
• Knowledge of and previous experience with, diverse populations and ability to speak another language in addition to English strongly preferred.
• Current State-approved first aid certification, state-approved CPR certification, BBP (HIV/AIDS) training certification.*
• Washington State Agency Affiliated Counseling Credential.**

Peer Support Specialist I:

• WA State Peer Counselor Certification preferred and required within one year of employment.

Peer Support Specialist II:

• 2 years of relevant experience in social services

• WA State Peer Counselor Certification preferred and required within 30 days of employment.

• Within 30 days of employment or first available training.

**Training and certification can be completed after hire. Start process of training and certification within the first month of hire and full certification as a Peer within 6 months of hire.

Authorized Driver Preference:

This role has the potential to transport clients as an "authorized driver" for the YMCA of Greater Seattle (YGS) using an employer-provided vehicle. Driving duties for this role are optional, but preferred.* Driving roles are safety-sensitive. To become an authorized driver, you must be 21+, have possessed a driver's license for at least 3 years, and pass a drug screen that will test for impairing substances (including marijuana) in addition to meeting the driving record standards below:

YGS Driving Record Standards

Within the last three (3) years: No more than two (2) vehicle related suspension(s) and/or reinstatement(s). No more than two (2) moving violations and/or accidents. Moving violations include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Speeding
• Improper Lane Change
• Failure to Yield in Right-of-Way
• Failure to Obey Traffic Signal
• Failure to obey Traffic Sign

Within the last five (5) years: No Major Violations which include, but are not limited to, the following:

• DUI, DWI, OUI, OWI, BUI (Boating), Administrative Per Se, or Refusing to Test
• Driving with an open container of alcohol
• Reckless Driving
• Hit and Run – property damage only (Incidents involving injury fall under Permanent Disqualification)
• Racing
• Driving with a suspended/revoked license/insurance
• Speeding over 20 mph
• Fleeing and/or eluding police
• Any other felony driving conviction(s)

Driving records that result in Permanent disqualification from driving duties:

• More than 3 DUI, DWI, OUI, OWI, BUI, Administrative Per Se, or Refusing to Test for entirety of driving history.
• More than 3 Driving with a suspended/revoked license
• Hit and Run resulting in bodily injury or death
• Manslaughter/felony death by motor vehicle
• Due to state-specific reporting requirements in our driver management system, we are not currently able to enroll California Driver's License holders as Authorized Drivers.

You'll be a great fit for the Seattle Y if you:

• Thrive on working in a collaborative environment.
• Are very adaptable.
• Have high ownership and strong work ethic.
• Are a great problem solver who can think on your feet.
• Truly enjoy being of service to people.
• Like being part of a team that cares about one another as people and enjoy working together.
• Want to know that the work you do contributes to building a better, stronger community for all.

OUR MISSION

Building a community where all people, especially the young, are encouraged to develop their fullest potential in spirit, mind, and body.

OUR VALUES

• Respect
• Responsibility
• Honesty
• Caring
• Passion for Excellence

YGS is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to creating a diverse and equitable work environment. Qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to their race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other status protected by local, state, or federal law.

We are a drug & alcohol-free workplace. We participate in the Federal E-Verify system. All job offers are contingent on the results of a background check in accordance with Washington's Fair Chance Act. Please download and review the below resources for more information:

(i) The updated 2025 requirements of :

(ii) The WA attorney general's Washington fair chance act guide for employers and job applicants:

If you need assistance of any kind with the application process, reach out to