Peer Support Specialist

Description

Peer Support Specialist

Full-Time, On-Site (includes community outreach)

Hiring Range: $20.07 - $24.58 per hour

Benefits at a Glance

• Comprehensive Coverage: Health, Dental & Vision
• Generous PTO: Up to 19 days + 2 mental health days + 10 holidays (pro-rated for part-time)
• Fully Paid YMCA Membership for you and eligible family members
• Company-Paid Life & Disability Insurance
• Student Loan Assistance & Professional Development
• 403(b) Retirement Plan with Company Contributions
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Pet Insurance
• Free Wellness App (2MorrowHealth)
• Collaborative, Supportive Team Environment

Kitsap Mental Health Services is seeking a dedicated and compassionate Trueblood Peer Support Specialist to join our Jail Diversion Program. In this role, you will support program participants who are currently incarcerated at the Kitsap County Jail and have experienced challenges related to legal competency to stand trial. Drawing from your lived experience with mental health services and personal involvement in the criminal justice system, you will engage clients by sharing your practical knowledge and first-hand insight to foster trust and connection. This position plays a vital role in helping clients navigate the recovery process, including symptom management and building persistence toward a meaningful life. You will also advocate for client choice and self-determination, supporting individuals in active participation in their treatment planning, service delivery, and overall rehabilitation journey.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Build supportive, trusting relationships with clients by drawing upon personal lived experience.
• Provide recovery-oriented peer support, including active listening, mentorship, coaching, and encouragement.
• Assist in identifying strengths, setting goals, developing coping strategies, and practicing and reinforcing new skills through peer support and coaching.
• Support individuals in advocating and accessing resources related to housing, employment, education, healthcare, and the justice system.
• Provide ongoing support and skill teaching as it relates to daily living activities including but not limited to: household tasks; personal hygiene; nutrition education and assistance; personal finance; accessing reliable transportation.
• Act as an interpreter while providing expertise and consultation from a client perspective in areas such as symptoms, effects and side effects of medications, client opinions of treatment, and client experiences of recovery.
• Help clients understand, identify and combat stigma by helping them develop skills in self-advocacy that will help them navigate the legal, social services, and healthcare systems.
• Collaborate with clients on awareness of client rights, including grievance and complaint procedures; support clients with filing, mediating, and resolving complaints.
• Increase client awareness of self-help and consumer advocacy groups, which promote recovery, while acting as the liaison between community resources and such groups.
• Assist in the provision of ongoing assessment and direct services to clients, responding to such challenges as an increase in suicidality, the need for substance abuse education and treatment, and the clients' readiness for meaningful daily activity, including employment.
• Assist clients in attaining and maintaining safe, affordable housing including apartment hunting, finding a roommate, landlord negotiations, and procuring necessities such as furnishings and telephone and utility hook-up.
• Assist and support clients to find and effectively use a primary care physician, dentist, and other medical specialists as required.
• Provide practical help and supports to help clients access other necessary services such as legal services, housing subsidies, and funding alternatives such as SSI, SSDI, and Veteran's Administration benefits.
• Assist clients to plan and carry out social and leisure time activities.
• Provide oral and written feedback on consumer progress to the treatment team, including the timely completion of documentation.
• Provide practical transportation support by providing reminders of appointments, rides, and assistance using and planning bus/ferry routes
• In addition to the above, any other responsibilities appropriate to the position and not specifically listed in the job description.

Supervisory Responsibilities : None


Minimum Qualifications :


EDUCATION: High School Diploma or GED


EXPERIENCE: Entry level (Lived experience with utilizing mental health and or substance use disorder services and one or more years in recovery.). This position requires driving clients in a personal vehicle on behalf of the agency. Therefore, the incumbent must meet all agency driving requirements, including being at least 21 years old, having been licensed for a minimum of three years, successfully completing a motor vehicle history check, possessing and maintaining a current, valid driver's license in the state of Washington, and having reliable, insured transportation.

LICENSURE:


Agency Affiliated Counselor Registration. Completion of the Washington State Health Care Authority training and approved application for the CPSST (Certified Peer Specialist Trainee) credential within six (6) months of employment.

Preferred Qualifications:

EXPERIENCE: Relevant experience working with clients with severe and persistent mental illness.


Our recruitment processes are designed to prevent discrimination against our people regardless of gender identity or orientation, religion, ethnicity, age, neurodiversity, disability status, citizenship, or any aspect which makes someone unique.