Peer Specialist - Flex Day Shift, STAR Center

DESC•Seattle, WA

5h•Onsite

About The Position

The STAR (Stability Through Access and Resources) Center is a time-limited, 24/7, behavioral health-focused non-congregate shelter program. Services at the Center are tailored for unsheltered adults facing significant untreated and undertreated challenges related to mental health and substance use disorders. The center is located at 619 3rd Avenue and Cherry Street in downtown Seattle. The STAR Peer Specialist provides services to guests receiving shelter at the STAR Center. Peer Specialists bring lived experience as a consumer of Behavioral Health service and/or substance use and apply formal training to support participants through mind-body recovery and resilience. The STAR Peer Specialist shares personal, practical experience, knowledge, and insight with participants and team members. They are well-established in their recovery and offer unique perspectives that complement integrated shelter and clinical services. This position combines 1:1 work with participants, recovery and enrichment group leadership, and collaboration with DESC providers and programs, as well as community partners.

Requirements

Current Certified Peer Support Specialist (CPSS) or Certified Peer Support Specialist Trainee (CPSS-T) credential through the Washington State Department of Health or ability to gain certification within 60 days of hire.
Proof of successful completion of the Washington State Health Care Authority's Certified Peer Support Specialist Training prior to hire.
Lived experience as a consumer of behavioral health services (mental health and/or substance use treatment) or be the parent or legal guardian of a child who has received behavioral health services.
Desire to serve people with complex needs who are or have been experiencing homelessness and are living with serious and persistent mental health concerns, substance use disorder, and other complex medical conditions.
Able to work effectively with participants displaying a wide range of challenging behaviors.
Adaptable to changing priorities, processes, or workflows as the program grows and evolves.
Able to give and receive constructive feedback.
Familiar with trauma-informed care, harm reduction, and equity and social justice principles.
Possess cultural humility and able to work effectively with individuals of diverse backgrounds and identities.
Be willing to seek to understand each participant’s unique circumstances and personal preferences and goals and incorporate them into the crisis response to help the participant regain a sense of control.
Strong knowledge of relevant community resources and methods for accessing them.
Have a strong understanding of recovery and resilience, the value of participant partnerships and participant choice, and the balance between protection from harm and personal dignity.

Nice To Haves

One or more years' experience in community based behavioral health services or like industry serving a diverse client/participant population
Two or more years’ experience leveraging personal peer story as a peer specialist.
Ability to drive an agency or personal vehicle to conduct agency-related business, which requires a current Washington State driver's license and insurable driving record.
Knowledge of de-escalation skills, crisis intervention & stabilization, and harm reduction strategies.
Bi-cultural background/experience.
Bi-lingual in Spanish/English or other languages.
Strong applicants are able to demonstrate the ability to be positive in their empathetic responses to all persons; understand the value of meaningful and deep participant engagement; have the potential to acquire the necessary knowledge, attitudes and skills of an effective crisis worker; and value a non-judgmental response to sensitive issues. Candidates should be able to accept feedback and work in a highly collaborative and potentially stressful environment.

Responsibilities

Provide peer counseling services at the STAR Center and to STAR Center guests in the community.
Identify individuals in need, screen for appropriateness of peer services, develop rapport and trust while offering support, and assist with immediate and ongoing participant needs.
Integrate relevant personal experience with mental health concerns and substance use disorders into work with program participants.
Leverage personal experience with SUD treatment and recovery to orient participants to available services and counsel participants in successfully accessing services.
Help participants identify, understand, and combat stigma and discrimination associated with mental health concerns and substance use disorders.
Support participants’ self-advocacy. Work to ensure participants’ voice and choice are centered in care planning, including Integrated Service Plans, Goal Plans, Crisis Plans, and Care Conferences.
Support participants creating and utilizing Mental Health Advanced Directives.
Develop and lead substance use focused, peer recovery, and enrichment groups and activities.
Work closely with leadership, recreation specialists, medical staff, and other providers to ensure peer groups and activities align with participant and program needs and best practice.
Participate in discharge planning and create peer support transition plans for guests exiting the STAR Center to long-term shelter or housing.
Participate in verbal de-escalation and in emergent situations and be willing and able to assist other staff as needed to maintain a safe and secure environment.
Other duties as assigned.