Peer Supervisor - SUD Services and Peer Specialist Services

DESC•Seattle, WA

About The Position

DESC's 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 under-treated challenges related to mental health and substance use disorders. The center is located at 619 3rd Avenue and Cherry St in Seattle. The Peer Supervisor for SUD Services and Peer Specialists is a vital member of the STAR Center Shelter's multi-disciplinary leadership team. This position is responsible for the overall coordination, supervision, and quality assurance of Peer Specialists and those providing targeted Substance Use Disorder (SUD) outreach and recovery support services. The Supervisor utilizes their lived experience to lead the team in providing assertive engagement and intensive services to clients, while also managing a partial direct service caseload within the non-congregate shelter environment. This role is essential for the planning, implementation, and coordination of Peer Specialist services within the shelter.

Requirements

Current Certified Peer Support Specialist (CPSS) credential through the Washington State Department of Health or ability to gain certification within 60 days of hire.
Completion of “Crisis Awareness and Communication in Peer Support (CACPS)” training or ability to complete within 60 days of employment.
Ability to gain certification as an approved peer support specialist supervisor through the Washington State Department of Health: Obtain 1,000 hours of experience as a peer support specialist, Obtain 500 hours of joint peer supervision experience with an approved supervisor, Complete the Washington State Health Care Authority Peer Supervisor Training.
One or more years' experience in community based behavioral health services.
High school diploma or G.E.D.
Experience working with adults experiencing homelessness, mental illness and/or substance use disorders.
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.
Interest in working with clients who are difficult to engage and maintain in traditional mental health/substance use disorder programs.
Demonstrated crisis management ability.
Demonstrated leadership qualities.
Be willing to seek to understand each client's unique circumstances and personal preferences and goals and incorporate them into the crisis response to help the client regain a sense of control.
Ability to assist clients in accessing internal resources to reinforce the client's ability to resolve crisis on their own.
Ability to assist clients in identifying unmet needs that may be causing them to have recurrent crisis.
Have a strong understanding of recovery and resilience, the value of client partnerships and client choice, and the balance between protection from harm and personal dignity.
Strong knowledge of relevant housing and community resources and methods for accessing them.
Possess strong communication and writing skills.
Ability to work flexible hours as required by program and staffing needs.
Interest or experience in working with consumers who are difficult to engage and maintain in traditional mental health programs.
Knowledge of recovery focused, strengths-based work in mental health.
Knowledge of de-escalation skills, crisis intervention & stabilization, and harm reduction strategies.
Ability to communicate and work effectively with consumers and staff from various backgrounds.
Ability to work effectively with clients displaying a wide range of unpleasant and/or bizarre behavior.
Subscribe to the philosophy of cooperation and continuity across programs and of consideration and respect for consumers.

Nice To Haves

Prior supervisory experience
At least one year’s experience providing supervision to peers prior to July 1, 2025, and completion of peer specialist supervisor training provided by the health care authority.
Ability to drive an agency or personal vehicle to conduct agency related business, along with a current Washington State driver's license and insurable driving record.
Bi-lingual in Spanish/English.
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 client 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

Assign and manage Peer caseloads. Coordinate, schedule, and oversee the work of SUD Peer Specialists and Peer Specialists providing outreach and assertive engagement to STAR Center clients.
Provide regular supervision, consultation, and performance feedback to staff. Assess team members for strengths and training needs, and ensure staff receive necessary training, including core DESC values, crisis intervention/de-escalation skills, the causes and effects of homelessness, and continuing education.
Facilitate team meetings to promote team cohesion and collaboration, ensuring the team effectively serves the clientele and provides needed support.
Develop, manage, and maintain systems to ensure clients’ peer goals and use of peer services are documented in service plans.
Coordinate and participate in quality assurance activities. Review team documentation to assure records are current, complete, and comply with all agency, county, and contractual policies and procedures. Complete documentation and reporting in a timely and accurate manner.
Coordinate Peer Specialist hiring, orientation, and scheduling; assist in the hiring and orientation of other STAR Center Shelter staff. Review and authorize staff time sheets.
Work in partnership with the STAR Center Leadership team to implement DESC vision and values, and to incorporate a thorough equity framework into shelter operations and client care. Establish cooperative relationships with external partners to secure necessary client resources and promote positive relationships with the surrounding neighborhood.
Provide outreach and Peer Specialist services to a partial caseload. Identify and screen individuals for appropriateness to services, build rapport, and assist with immediate and basic needs for those suspected of Opioid Use Disorder and facing significant untreated behavioral health challenges.
Provide recovery and engagement support to STAR clients. Link individuals to needed Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) services and/or opioid use disorder treatment, assisting in navigating systems and addressing barriers to independence and recovery. Become familiar with local housing resources. Link individuals to needed Behavioral Health services.
Utilize lived experience to help participants identify, understand, and combat stigma and discrimination associated with homelessness, mental illness, and substance use disorders, and develop strategies to reduce self-stigma.
Advocate for clients' access to housing and community resources, and assist consumers with voicing their interests and goals through Goal Plans, Crisis Plans, WRAP, and other methods.
Work shifts as assigned covering the milieu to maintain order, communication, and enforce agency rules.
Serve as a core member of the STAR Center leadership team, assisting the Project Manager in the planning, implementation, and coordination of Peer Specialist services and overall STAR Center Shelter services.
Provide leadership at the STAR Center in the absence of other leadership team members.
Provide staff training to ensure awareness and understanding of the Peer Specialist role in integrated care.
Provide and train staff in strong harm reduction-oriented service interventions.
Participate in verbal de-escalation in emergent situations to maintain a safe and secure environment.
Support clients with achieving and maintaining healthy living conditions within the shelter rooms. This includes outreach, supporting clients with tools and skills to maintain their rooms, coordinating with other shelter staff, and participating in room cleanouts as needed.
Provide transportation for clients as necessary.
Other duties as assigned.