Certified Peer Specialist - FT/Swing

Pioneer Human Services; Oak Harbor (WA); On-site; USD 45,000 - 57,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical

Dental

Vision

Flexible spending

Job summary

Pioneer Human Services is hiring a Certified Peer Specialist to advocate for clients and support recovery from mental health or substance use issues. You will work under supervision with clinicians and residential staff to help individuals access services and achieve personal goals.

The role emphasizes lived experience, strong boundaries, and documentation. Employment offers comprehensive benefits and a commitment to social change, located in Washington state.

Qualifications

• Provides client advocacy and supports recovery.
• Supports clinical/residential staff and coordination with services.

Responsibilities

• Assist clients to obtain community services (healthcare, housing, social services, employment).
• Support clients' pursuit of recovery activities.
• Act as a role model and maintain professional boundaries.
• Report incidents to supervisor and complete required documentation.

Skills

Client advocacy

Education

High school diploma or GED

Job description

Description

If you are looking for employment with a purpose where you can help improve the daily lives of the members of your community, then consider a career with Pioneer Human Services!

If you are looking for employment with a purpose where you can help improve the daily lives of the members of your community, then consider a career with Pioneer Human Services!

We are currently looking for a Certified Peer Specialist with a passion for human services. This is an exciting opportunity to be involved with an organization focused on a transformative path towards social change, creating pathways for rehabilitation, reintegration, and redemption.

Who we are – Our Mission

We empower justice-involved individuals to overcome adversity and reach their full potential.

For over 60 years, we have proudly serviced our clients with professionalism and empathy. We are a nationally recognized non-profit with 35+ locations across Washington state that provided a chance for change to over 9,500 individuals in 2024.

What We Offer

At Pioneer, our employees are our most valuable asset. That’s why we’re proud to offer a comprehensive Total Rewards package designed to support your health, security, and work-life balance.

Compensation

New hires for this position typically start between $21.79 and $27.24 hourly/annually, depending on factors such as work location, experience, qualifications, skills, competencies, internal equity, and market conditions. While the full pay range is provided to support pay transparency, individual compensation will vary within the range based on these factors.

Benefits

Eligible after 30 days of full-time employment (minimum of 30 hours/week):

• Medical
• Flexible spending
• Dental
• Vision

Additional Coverage After 60 Days

• Life
• AD&D
• Disability

Other Benefits

• Dependent Daycare Flexible Spending
• Tuition assistance (100% for bachelor's, 50% for graduate programs)
• Retirement plan (3.5% annual compensation contribution, plus 3.5% match for 6% individual contribution)
• Employee recognition programs
• Public transportation discount
• Employee assistance program (EAP)

Join Pioneer and be part of a team that values and invests in you.

What you'll do

Under the supervision of a mental health professional and/or a SUDP, the Certified Peer Specialist role is responsible for providing client advocacy. The individual utilizes their personal life experiences and training to provide hope and encouragement while promoting personal responsibility for recovery to individuals receiving behavioral health services. The role supports the provision of behavioral health services by clinical and/or residential staff in accordance with WAC 246-341-0200.

Primary/Essential Duties And Responsibilities

Client Advocacy and Support of Clinical and/or Residential Staff

• Assist clients to obtain community services including but not limited to healthcare, social services, housing, employment training and employment.
• Supports clients' pursuit of recovery activities.
• Utilizes life experiences and training to provide hope and encouragement for recovery to individuals receiving behavioral health services.
• Supports clinical and/or residential staff in the provision of clinical services.
• Advocates for client needs.
• Acts as a role model for clients.
• Practices strong boundaries that are appropriate in the peer role.
• Report incidents that impact clients to supervisor on duty. May be asked to complete online incident report.

Client Services

• Assist with intakes and discharges of clients (Program applicable)
• Responsible for food prep and food service for clients (Program applicable)
• Responsible for cleaning food service equipment and dining area (Program applicable)
• Responsible for retrieving, removing and storing client’s linens and clothing (Program applicable)
• Assist clients in meeting health and hygiene needs by retrieving hygiene products when requested.
• Responsible for cleaning duties: sweeping, wiping down tables, taking out garbage, making and tearing down bedding for new and discharging clients. (Program applicable)
• Responsible for overseeing clients’ smoke breaks (Program applicable)

Quality Assurance

• Maintains quality of care consistent with or exceeding standards set by State of Washington regulations and any other accrediting and/or contracting bodies with whom Pioneer Human Services does business.
• Adheres to professional and ethical standards of the program and DOH.
• Provides professionally written documentation and correspondence.
• Integrates knowledge by thinking through and planning the most professional, therapeutic response or intervention in any given client care situation.

Teamwork, Supervision and Training

• Engages in clear, consistent, and professional communication with all clients, program staff, service providers and community members
• Promotes and models teamwork and collaboration with co-workers.
• Participates in supervision in accordance with WAC/RCW requirements.
• Participates in agency supervision.
• Obtains other training required by WAC and in accordance with an annual training plan.
• Participates in staff meetings.
• Attends other meetings as directed.

Qualifications

Performs other duties as required

Required

• High school diploma or GED
• Provide proof of Certified Peer Counselor Certification
• Health Care Authority - Certified Peer Counselor Application Requirements: Self-identify as a person with lived experience with mental health or substance use services or be a parent or legal guardian of a child with lived experience with mental health or substance use services.

Be 18 or older.

Be in mental health or substance use disorder recovery for at least one year.

Demonstrate qualities of leadership.

Demonstrate proficiency in reading comprehension and writing skills.

Be willing to share your personal story of recovery.

• Must be able to obtain Agency Affiliated Counselor (WAC 246-810-015, and RCW 18.19.210) within 60-days from the date of hire.
• Valid food handlers card within one week of hire.

Preferred/Desirable

• A.A./B.A./B.S. degree in a health or human services field.

EEO

Pioneer human services is an equal opportunity employer of minorities/women/individuals with disabilities/protected veterans and does not unlawfully discriminate under federal, state, or local laws. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, physical or mental disability, or protected veteran status. EEOC is the Law/EEO Policy Statement

Pioneer Human Services is a Drug-Free Company

Pioneer Human Services is a drug free company. This position has been deemed safety sensitive under RCW 49.44.240(3) and is subject to both pre-employment drug testing and drug testing during employment, to include testing for marijuana.