Candidates who identify with one or more of the following are STRONGLY encouraged to apply:
• Lived experience with addiction and/or mental health challenges and in recovery for at least one year.
• BIPOC-identified individuals.
• LGBTQIA+ identified individuals.
• Veterans.
General Summary
Peer emotional support is the foundation of the services provided by Peer Washington. The ability to discuss struggles and successes related to experiences shared by another individual promotes healing and compliments traditionally accepted professional services in the healthcare system. The role of the Peer Services Specialist is to work with individuals who are struggling with issues related to mental health and/or addiction challenges. The Peer Services Specialist will be an accountability partner to help members plan, evaluate, and maintain their recovery journey by engaging in a positive, supportive relationship. The Peer Services Specialist is also responsible for demonstrating and inspiring hope, trust, and a positive outlook and optimizing member connection with a broad range of community-based services and natural supports.
Primary Responsibilities
● Work directly with the Program Manager to establish guidelines, best practices, patron tracking, and expectations in the development and application of this position.
● Work with members early in recovery from or struggling with mental health and/or addiction challenges to provide support and referral services.
● Maintain weekly contact with library patrons as applicable.
● Submit data and other reporting in a timely fashion.
● Develop relationships with community partners.
● Respond to all phone calls and emails within 1 business day.
● Act as a representative on behalf of Peer Community as needed with regards to community collaborations and events as assigned by the Program Manager. This includes reporting back to the Program Manager with updates and for direction on how to proceed with our involvement.
● Maintain clear communication with staff and volunteers. This includes keeping the Program Manager updated on weekly schedules and copied on all important communication.
● Attend on-going training programs offered to enhance effectiveness of role.
● See addendum for additional responsibilities.
Required Qualifications
● Lived experience with housing instability.
● Identify as a peer with at least 1 year in remission.
● Comfort performing outreach to those who are unhoused or those in mental health and SUD recovery.
Preferred Qualifications
● Experience as a recovery coach
Additional Compensation
- Starting wage $22.97- $25.16 per hour DOE
- Paid Vacation Time – 3 weeks per year, accrued at 4.615hrs per biweekly pay period, 120-hour maximum annual carryover.
- Paid Sick Time – 80 Hours per year, accrued at 3.077hrs per biweekly pay period, 480-hour maximum annual carryover.
- One Personal Days if hired before March 8th, 2025, Three personal days per quarter the calendar year thereafter.
- Business cell phone and service will be provided through AT&T
- Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, AD&D, and Long-Term Disability; employee premiums covered by employer at 100% for employees.
- WA Short Term Disability, Long Term Disability, and Workers Compensation; employee premiums covered by the employer at 100% for employee.
- $100,000 Life and AD&D, Long Term Disability through Hartford, provided at no cost.
- Employee Assistance Program through Mutual of Omaha
- Peer Washington covers the employee portion of Washington Unemployment and Paid Medical Leave at 100%
- Employer Sponsored IRA with up to 3% employer match
