Peer Support Specialist/Counselor (Multilingual)

Lutheran Community Services Northwest•Seattle, WA

About The Position

Lutheran Community Services NW is a non-profit organization dedicated to serving communities throughout Washington, Oregon, and Idaho with a wide range of services for individuals of all ages and backgrounds. All LCSNW team members will contribute to our mission of partnering with individuals, families and communities for health, justice and hope WHAT WE WILL DO FOR YOU:As an employer of choice, we’re deeply committed to supporting our employees—because when you’re empowered, our mission thrives. We provide resources, tools, and care that allow you to focus on what matters most: delivering Health, Justice, and Hope to the communities we serve. We’re proud to offer a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your well-being, growth, and peace of mind A 37.5 per hour work week to ensure work/life balance Medical, dental, vision, and prescription benefits to keep you and your loved ones healthy Employer-paid short- and long-term disability insurance Life insurance coverage at no cost to you Up to 2 weeks of vacation in your first year (based on hours worked) Up to 2 weeks of sick leave (based on hours worked) 12 paid agency recognized holidays 2 floating holidays to use your way 403(b) retirement plan with employer matching (eligibility applies) Access to our Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for you and your family Potential eligibility for Student Loan Forgiveness through our 501(c)(3) nonprofit status HOW YOU WILL MAKE AN IMPACT: All LCSNW team members will contribute to our mission of partnering with individuals, families and communities for health, justice and hope. Our case managers serve as trusted guides, working closely with clients to navigate systems of care, address their social determinants of health and health-related social needs, and overcome barriers to achieving stability. This includes support with housing, food, transportation, behavioral health, and more. We assist clients in setting personalized goals and developing action plans, while providing ongoing support through regular check-ins. Provide peer support on a one-to-one weekly basis, in peer support groups, in the community such as the peer’s home, meetings, court rooms, hospitals, or schools for up to 25 youth. Help promote a culture that sees youth/family participation as valuable and integral to achieving youth-identified goals through demonstrating value of lived experience and respect for the values, preferences, beliefs, culture, and identity, of the child/youth and family, and their community. Attend monthly child and family team (CFT) planning meetings that address youth and family goals with other professional supports, natural supports, and community partners. Ensure youth/families are present when decisions about them are made and encourage them to take an active role in their care planning. Participate in required weekly individual supervision, case consultation, and staff meetings to explore approaches for engaging with youth and families, process themes of transference/countertransference as they occur, and identify support needed for professional growth in field Participate in the 24-hour on-call rotation for the program following successful completion of on-call training provided by direct supervisor during onboarding and training. Complete all necessary paperwork and ensure case notes are completed in a timely manner in accordance with state, Medicaid and agency requirements. HOW YOU WILL BE A GREAT FIT: 2 years of related experience; specifically, as either: Someone who has received mental health services, OR a parent/guardian of a child under the age of 13, or a child age 13 and older who are involved, or were involved, in the treatment plan in child’s mental health services. Lived experience that enhances relatability to clients being served HS diploma or equivalent or related field; substantial relevant experience will be considered in place of degree Affiliated Agency Counselor-Registered (AAC-R) credential is required upon within 90 days of hire; CPR/First Aid is required within 90 days of hire. Fluency in English, both spoken and written Basic mastery of business applications and productivity suites Demonstrates resilience, awareness and self-regulation in navigating challenges, conflict and obstacles/barriers. Thrives in a diverse and multicultural environment; works with cross-functional teams to develop and implement strategies to enhance end-user experiences throughout the service lifecycle Demonstrates exceptional commitment to serving and advocating for diverse and marginalized populations Successfully completes tasks in a moderately noisy environment Interacts with others and performs tasks in-person and through the use of technology, with moderate periods of stationary activity and minimal / moderate / long periods of increased physical activity including and not limited to commuting to community centers (schools, libraries, homes) for client appointments throughout the day. Moves equipment/materials weighing up to 7 pounds Travels between worksites regularly; responsible for maintaining valid driver’s license, auto insurance, and motor vehicle records clearance. Works in a variety of settings, including and not limited to LCSNW office locations, partner agency and community-based settings, client home/community settings, outdoor settings in varying weather conditions, and faith-based settings such as churches Meets LCSNW criminal background clearance requirements and other job-relevant clearances as required by the State or program Thank you! We sincerely appreciate your interest in joining the Lutheran Community Services NW team and thank all applicants for taking the time to apply. While we’re unable to respond to every candidate individually, please note that only those selected for an interview will be contacted. Lutheran Community Services NW is deeply committed to our mission of Health, Justice and Hope in all aspects of our work. We welcome candidates from all backgrounds and experiences to help us build a stronger, more compassionate community.

Requirements

2 years of related experience; specifically, as either: Someone who has received mental health services, OR a parent/guardian of a child under the age of 13, or a child age 13 and older who are involved, or were involved, in the treatment plan in child’s mental health services.
Lived experience that enhances relatability to clients being served
HS diploma or equivalent or related field; substantial relevant experience will be considered in place of degree
Affiliated Agency Counselor-Registered (AAC-R) credential is required upon within 90 days of hire; CPR/First Aid is required within 90 days of hire.
Fluency in English, both spoken and written
Basic mastery of business applications and productivity suites
Demonstrates resilience, awareness and self-regulation in navigating challenges, conflict and obstacles/barriers.
Thrives in a diverse and multicultural environment; works with cross-functional teams to develop and implement strategies to enhance end-user experiences throughout the service lifecycle
Demonstrates exceptional commitment to serving and advocating for diverse and marginalized populations
Successfully completes tasks in a moderately noisy environment
Interacts with others and performs tasks in-person and through the use of technology, with moderate periods of stationary activity and minimal / moderate / long periods of increased physical activity including and not limited to commuting to community centers (schools, libraries, homes) for client appointments throughout the day.
Moves equipment/materials weighing up to 7 pounds
Travels between worksites regularly; responsible for maintaining valid driver’s license, auto insurance, and motor vehicle records clearance.
Works in a variety of settings, including and not limited to LCSNW office locations, partner agency and community-based settings, client home/community settings, outdoor settings in varying weather conditions, and faith-based settings such as churches
Meets LCSNW criminal background clearance requirements and other job-relevant clearances as required by the State or program

Responsibilities

Provide peer support on a one-to-one weekly basis, in peer support groups, in the community such as the peer’s home, meetings, court rooms, hospitals, or schools for up to 25 youth.
Help promote a culture that sees youth/family participation as valuable and integral to achieving youth-identified goals through demonstrating value of lived experience and respect for the values, preferences, beliefs, culture, and identity, of the child/youth and family, and their community.
Attend monthly child and family team (CFT) planning meetings that address youth and family goals with other professional supports, natural supports, and community partners.
Ensure youth/families are present when decisions about them are made and encourage them to take an active role in their care planning.
Participate in required weekly individual supervision, case consultation, and staff meetings to explore approaches for engaging with youth and families, process themes of transference/countertransference as they occur, and identify support needed for professional growth in field
Participate in the 24-hour on-call rotation for the program following successful completion of on-call training provided by direct supervisor during onboarding and training.
Complete all necessary paperwork and ensure case notes are completed in a timely manner in accordance with state, Medicaid and agency requirements.

Benefits

A 37.5 per hour work week to ensure work/life balance
Medical, dental, vision, and prescription benefits to keep you and your loved ones healthy
Employer-paid short- and long-term disability insurance
Life insurance coverage at no cost to you
Up to 2 weeks of vacation in your first year (based on hours worked)
Up to 2 weeks of sick leave (based on hours worked)
12 paid agency recognized holidays
2 floating holidays to use your way
403(b) retirement plan with employer matching (eligibility applies)
Access to our Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for you and your family
Potential eligibility for Student Loan Forgiveness through our 501(c)(3) nonprofit status