Youth Peer Support Specialist (Multilingual)

Lutheran Community Services Northwest•Kennewick, WA

19h

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 At LCSNW, employees take pride in the work they do and thrive in a collaborative, supportive environment built on trust and accountability. Staff are trusted to manage their work with autonomy while staying connected through strong teams and shared purpose. Flexible schedules, meaningful and mission-driven work, and ongoing training and development support a culture that values growth, balance, and long-term commitment to the communities we serve. 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: Providing peer-based support, mentorship, and advocacy to youth and families involved in the WISe program, drawing on lived experience to promote hope, engagement, and positive behavioral health outcomes.Support youth and families in identifying strengths, dreams, goals, and resources that encourage self-direction, choice, and personal growth within a behavioral health setting.Promote youth and family leadership, voice, and self-advocacy by supporting meaningful participation in care planning, decision-making, and Child and Family Team (CFT) meetings.Share lived experience appropriately and intentionally to model resilience, coping, and personal responsibility, while maintaining professional boundaries and role clarity.Participate as an active member of the care team under the supervision of behavioral health professionals, including collaboration with clinicians, Behavioral Health Interventionists, care coordinators, and community partners to support coordinated, youth-centered services.Assist youth and families in navigating behavioral health and related service systems, including supporting engagement and bridging during transitions in care.Manage an active caseload of up to 25 youth, providing peer support while meeting productivity and documentation expectations for the role. This incudes timely and accurate completion of required progress notes, CFT documentation, and other required records with established timelines, in accordance with LCSNW policies, WISe program requirements, and Medicaid standards. HOW YOU WILL BE A GREAT FIT:

Requirements

(0) years of related experience. You must self-identify as a person with lived experience with mental health or substance use services with at least one year of living in recovery
HS diploma or equivalent
Washington State Certified Peer Support Specialist (CPSS) credential is required or must be obtained within a specified timeframe after hire. Candidates may be hired as a CPSS Trainee while completing required training and supervised hours. An active Agency-Affiliated Counselor (AAC) registration may be required to allow service delivery under supervision during the certification process.
Fluency in English, both spoken and written
Intermediate 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 long periods of stationary activity and moderate periods of increased Physical demands may include sitting, standing, walking, driving, and lifting or carrying light materials.
Moves equipment/materials weighing up to (25) pounds
Travels between worksites regularly; responsible for transporting clients in personal and/or agency vehicles, which requires 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

Providing peer-based support, mentorship, and advocacy to youth and families involved in the WISe program, drawing on lived experience to promote hope, engagement, and positive behavioral health outcomes.
Support youth and families in identifying strengths, dreams, goals, and resources that encourage self-direction, choice, and personal growth within a behavioral health setting.
Promote youth and family leadership, voice, and self-advocacy by supporting meaningful participation in care planning, decision-making, and Child and Family Team (CFT) meetings.
Share lived experience appropriately and intentionally to model resilience, coping, and personal responsibility, while maintaining professional boundaries and role clarity.
Participate as an active member of the care team under the supervision of behavioral health professionals, including collaboration with clinicians, Behavioral Health Interventionists, care coordinators, and community partners to support coordinated, youth-centered services.
Assist youth and families in navigating behavioral health and related service systems, including supporting engagement and bridging during transitions in care.
Manage an active caseload of up to 25 youth, providing peer support while meeting productivity and documentation expectations for the role. This incudes timely and accurate completion of required progress notes, CFT documentation, and other required records with established timelines, in accordance with LCSNW policies, WISe program requirements, and Medicaid standards.

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