Peer Support Specialist- Housing Services

The Cowlitz Indian Tribe; Vancouver; On-site; CAD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A Native American organization in Vancouver seeks a Peer Support Specialist to provide support services in housing and behavioral health. Ideal candidates will have lived experience with mental health and hold relevant certifications. Responsibilities include client advocacy, resource connection, and facilitation of recovery sessions. This full-time role promotes self-determination and recovery through peer engagement and empowerment.

Qualifications

• Self-identify as a person with lived experience with mental health or substance use.
• One year recovery coaching experience.
• Must be 18 years of age or older.
• Experience working within American Indian and/or Alaska Native communities preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provides support services to peers participating in housing and behavioral health.
• Assists clients in securing housing, employment, and essential resources.
• Teaches problem-solving techniques and coping strategies.
• Facilitates recovery sessions and shares personal experiences.

Skills

Knowledge of traditional forms of government, tribal customs, and traditions

Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing

Ability to build rapport quickly with clients

Skill in completing documentation specific to the role

Education

Certified Peer Support Specialist certification

Agency Affiliated Counselor credential

Job description

Career Opportunities with The Cowlitz Indian Tribe

A great place to work.

Careers at The Cowlitz Indian Tribe

Current job opportunities are posted here as they become available.

POSITION TITLE: Peer Support Specialist- Housing Services
DEPARTMENT: HHS – Behavioral Health
LOCATION: Vancouver, WA
FLSA STATUS: Non-Exempt; Full-Time
SALARY GRADE: $26.40 - $30.40 per hour DOE

Review Date: August 18, 2025

***If you are an American Indian/Alaska Native and/or a Veteran and would like this to be considered preference in hiring, please upload documentation with your resume and cover letter. Acceptable documentation includes Tribal Enrollment card, a letter from your Tribe stating your enrollment, or BIA 4432 and/or DD214.***

Position Summary:

Provides support services to peers participating in FHARPS housing and other behavioral health services by drawing on lived experience to serve as an advocate, inspire hope, and assist clients in overcoming barriers to accessing housing, behavioral health services, and community reintegration. Promotes self-determination and recovery through peer engagement and empowerment. Participates as a team member in a fully integrated behavioral health program and serves as a role model in recovery and self-management. Adheres to HIPAA and confidentiality requirements. Honors and represents the mission, vision, and values of the Cowlitz Indian Tribe (CIT) and the Health and Human Services (HHS) department.

This list of duties and responsibilities is illustrative only of the tasks performed by this position and is not all-inclusive.

• Assists clients in securing housing, employment, and essential resources to enhance independence.
• Promotes culturally responsive and trauma-informed practices across the program.
• Supports clients in identifying, articulating, and creating recovery goals through guided individual and group sessions.
• Collaborates with clients to develop individualized wellness and recovery plans based on their skills, strengths, supports, and available resources in accordance with CITs established policies, procedures and protocols.
• Connects clients with internal and external resources that contribute to the realization of the client’s goals, such as legal services, housing subsidies, and funding alternatives.
• Advocates for effective recovery-based services and assists clients in navigating state and federal government support systems.
• with identifying and engaging in recovery supportive activities and events..
• Teaches problem solving techniques, coping strategies, and skills to overcome fears and combat negative self-talk.
• Facilitates recovery sessions and shares personal experiences, as appropriate, to model recovery and resilience.
• Supports clients in building social skills and community connections.
• Accompanies clients to appointments, community resources, and meetings as needed to ensure access to services and support; assists clients with navigating local, state, and governmental systems.
• Advocates for all effective recovery-based services that will be useful in daily living.
• Effectively monitors client engagement and manages caseloads.
• Completes timely required documentation for all client contacts and treatment/recovery plans in accordance with established policies and procedures.
• Maintains professional and technical knowledge through required trainings and certifications.
• Adapts to changes in safety protocols and procedures.
• Works collaboratively in a team environment to achieve shared goals.
• Performs other duties as assigned with training provided.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of traditional forms of government, tribal customs, and traditions.
• Knowledge of client needs assessment and care planning procedures.
• General knowledge of client outreach services, behavioral health programs, and clinical counseling principles.
• Maintains a working knowledge of behavioral health rehabilitation standards.
• Skill in completing documentation specific to the role of Peer Support Specialists.
• Ability to maintain appropriate professional boundaries while balancing the dual roles of being both a peer to clients and CIT employee.
• Ability to seek appropriate clinical supervision when needed, particularly in situations involving boundary concerns.
• Ability to utilize ethical decision-making and be conscious of safety of self and others in all work settings.
• Ability to develop and provide presentations related to peer support services and/or behavioral health and recovery services.
• Ability to evaluate client progress and modify a treatment plan when needed.
• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to approach all interactions with courtesy and respect.
• Ability to build rapport quickly and effectively with clients and their families.
• Ability to integrate training and experience to identify potentially unsafe situations and support de-escalation.
• Ability to establish and maintain professional relationships and contribute to the creation of an inclusive environment.
• Ability to track and contribute data for program and grant reporting purposes.
• Ability to handle multiple tasks and meet deadlines.
• Ability to be adaptive and flexible in a dynamic environment.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Self-identify as a person with lived experience with mental health or substance use services.
• One year recovery coaching experience.
• Must be 18 years of age or older.
• Hold the Washington State Health Care Authority’s Certified Peer Support Specialist certification.
• Obtain and maintain an Agency Affiliated Counselor credential through the Washington State Department of Health.
• Experience working within American Indian and/or Alaska Native communities preferred.
• Valid driver’s license is required when driving vehicles for work-related purposes. Employee must provide proof of car insurance and have access to a reliable vehicle.
• Must be able to successfully pass a background screening / investigation according to the established requirements below.

Tribal preference in accordance with Cowlitz Indian Tribe Code and CIT Employee Policies and Procedures Handbook shall apply to all positions. All positions are required to adhere to CIT’s established safety policies regarding vaccine requirements and personal protective equipment (PPE).

• Reference checks, education and employment verification.
• Federal, state, and/or tribal criminal history and sanction checks including fingerprint verification.
• Has not been found guilty of, charged with, received a deferred sentence, received a conditional discharge of, or entered a plea of not contest to, or entered a plea of guilty to any one felony or misdemeanor crimes of violence, sexual assault, molestation, exploitation or sexual contact; prostitution; or crimes committed against person(s) or children.

Physical Demands:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly is required to sit, stand, use hands and fingers for a variety of tasks, talk, and hear. The employee occasionally is required to walk and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to lift up to 20lbs. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and clarity of vision at long distances.

Work is generally performed in an office/clinical setting with a moderate noise level. Employee may be exposed to bodily fluids, blood borne pathogens and infectious disease. Situations occur where PPE (personal protective equipment) is needed. Overnight travel and/or evening and/or weekend work may be required. Tight time constraints and multiple demands are common.