Peer Support Specialist , CCORS Parent Partner

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, evidence and strength-based peer support and parenting skills coaching to parents to decrease crisis and increase in-home stabilization. Identifies parenting resources and supports and teaches parents the skills to effectively navigate resources in order to meet priority needs. Collaborates effectively with co-workers, supervisors and outside professionals to meet crisis prevention plan and action plan goals. Helps engage families in the Wraparound Team process. Supports the parents and acts as a bridge between the family and system representatives.

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.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work

This is a full-time, Monday through Friday position with regular hours from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM with occasional weekend shifts. The role involves providing in-person, community-based case management services to individuals and families. Staff are expected to travel to various locations in the community as part of their daily work, delivering support and interventions directly in the field. This position is on site at our Central or North King County office however will be required to respond to shift coverage and outreaches in all regions of King County.

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 12% employer contributions after 2 years of services - see Y Retirement for more information. ( Other Savings plans available upon hire.

• Free access to mental health resources

• Rapidly accruing paid time off (PTO)

• Discounts on qualifying YMCA of Greater Seattle childcare, day camp, overnight camp and outdoor leadership programs. 25% for part-time staff, 50% for full-time staff.

• Direct care staff in the Social Impact Center receive monthly personal Wellness days in addition to existing PTO and Paid Holiday benefits

• Some benefits only available to full-time staff

Pre-Certified Peer Counselor: Hiring Range: $22.00 – 24.00/hr

Certified Peer Counselor: Hiring Range: $24.00 – 27.00/hr

** Required qualifications listed below

Responsibilities

• Provides immediate and scheduled crisis outreach services to families in King County and additional coverage as needed.

• On-call shifts once per week of 6 hours in duration, and additional weekend on-call shifts every seven weeks

• Flexes schedule to include evenings and weekends to meet the needs of families.

• Provides culturally competent, evidence and strength-based peer support and parenting skills coaching to parents to decrease crisis and increase in-home stabilization.

• Identifies parenting resources and supports and teaches parents the skills to effectively navigate resources.

• Collaborates effectively with co-workers, supervisors and outside professionals to meet action plan goals.

• Uses triage, supervision and case consultation effectively to ensure best services for children and families.

• Transports parents/families to appointments, meetings, or other locations as needed to support the action plan and linkage to community resources.

• Works with families to build their own "Child & Family Team". Attends wrap around and other team meetings to support parents 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 mental health.

• Completes required documentation within program deadlines. Reports all critical incidents and adheres to YMCA program rules and procedures.

Code of Conduct for Applicants (

All employees and volunteers are responsible for adhering to abuse prevention policies, maintaining appropriate boundaries, completing required training, reporting suspicious or inappropriate behavior, and complying with mandated reporting requirements. Responsible for ensuring staff are properly screened, trained, supervised and held accountable to the organization’s abuse risk management standards.

Qualifications

• Personal experience as a parent or custodial guardian who has sought and received assistance from community mental health and/or school systems (juvenile justice, behavioral health, child welfare, special education) for their own child or youth who experienced emotional and/or behavioral problems.

• Trained in and familiar with recovery model to assist families and youth focus on strengths, gain client voice and partner with their clinical teams.

• Experience serving families of children and youth with emotional or behavioral problems, developmental delays, substance abuse history or other challenges.

• Other applicable education, training, and experience, which provide the knowledge, abilities, and skills necessary to perform effectively in the position will be considered.

• Demonstrated ability to engage families in a structured process to verbalize needs, develop individualized plans, facilitate recovery, and transition to reliance on natural supports.

• Knowledge of community services and resources including: parent 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.

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

• Ability to work flexible hours as needed, including evenings and weekends.

• 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.)

• 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.

• Current State-approved first aid certification, state-approved CPR certification, BBP (HIV/AIDS) training certification.*

• TB test by the Mantoux method.**

• Washington State Agency Affiliated Counseling Credential.***

*Within 30 days of employment or first available training.

**Within 30 days of employment.

***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

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.

Reliable Transportation Requirement

This role requires you to have access to reliable transportation to be able to meet clients out in the community, including locations that may not be easily accessible by public transportation.

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.

If you need assistance of any kind with the application process, reach out to View email address on click.appcast.io.