Peer Counselor - Housing Support Services

Catholic Charities Serving Central Washington; Wenatchee (WA); On-site; USD 28,929 - 37,195; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement 403(b) plan

Education assistance program

Job summary

A non-profit organization located in Wenatchee is seeking a Housing Support Services Case Manager/Certified Peer Specialist. This role focuses on providing case management and peer support to clients with substance use disorders and mental illness. Key responsibilities include connecting clients to housing and resources, conducting outreach, and collaborating with community agencies. Candidates should have relevant experience and a preferred Bachelor's degree. Strong communication skills and flexibility in scheduling are essential. Competitive hourly pay and comprehensive benefits offered.

Qualifications

• Self-identify as having lived experience as a recipient of mental health or substance use treatment services.
• Ability to manage high detail administrative tasks.
• Flexibility in scheduled work hours to accommodate evening hours as necessary.

Responsibilities

• Assist participants with connection to shelters and housing.
• Coordinate benefits applications for cash assistance and medical insurance.
• Provide follow-up and care to participants referred to programs.

Skills

Knowledge of Community Mental Health Systems and requirements

Excellent client and consumer communication skills

Bilingual (English/Spanish)

Strong interpersonal skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree preferred

GED or High School Diploma Required

Tools

Google Calendar

Data entry skills

Computer skills

Job description

The Housing Support Services Case Manager/Certified Peer Specialist, with support from Team Lead and under the supervision of the Housing Support Services Program Manager, assists and provides Peer Support, Case Management and Street Outreach. Those served are individuals struggling with identified Substance Use Disorders, Serious Mental Health Illness, and Co-Occurring disorders who are also homeless or at imminent risk of becoming homeless. This position engages clients through street outreach, walk-ins, referrals, and self-referrals. The role involves building rapport, screening for program placement, and offering case management and peer support to connect individuals with services such as housing, employment, education, healthcare, and mental health or substance use services. Additionally, the position supports participants with Activities of Daily Living, tenant/employee/neighbor practices, Fair Housing Rights, and resolving challenges in their homes or workplaces. The Case Manager/Certified Peer Specialist also collaborates with landlords, employers, and local shelters, while documenting all encounters in our electronic systems.

Responsibilities

• Assisting participants with connection to shelters, transitional living arrangements, and/or permanent housing
• Assisting participants with applying for and attaining benefits related to cash assistance, medical insurance, SSI/SSDI, SNAP, and/or other entitlements participants qualify for.
• Assisting participants with connection to employment and education opportunities
• Assisting participants with transportation to longer-term support appointments such as primary care, MH treatment, SUD treatment, and/or but not limited to other agency/program support systems.
• Assisting participants with coordination alongside other providers, including SUD, MH, and housing opportunities.

Establish and maintain working relationships with partnering community agencies to assist with coordination of care for participants.

Attend weekly individual supervision with Housing Support Services Program Manager and monthly group supervision with agency Mental Health Professional.

Attend team and community meetings anchored in identifying participant needs and coordination.

Provide outreach and engagement to homeless individuals needing access to care and offer support with connecting to Substance Use Disorder support, Mental Health Treatment, Primary Care, Housing, shelter, employment, educations, and/or other benefits.

Provide follow up and care to participants who either self-refer or are referred to HSSP programs from internal or external community providers.

Attend and complete trainings identified by agency and Housing Support Services programs.

Document services provided in electronic medical record and data software.

Conduct landlord outreach to assist with building positive landlord/tenant relationships.

Participate in Peer Audits every 90-days as directed by HSSP Team Lead and Program Manager.

Assist with processing rental subsidies when funding is available.

Qualifications

The following requirements are those that are normally required for performance of this position. Any disabled applicant or incumbent who does not meet or more of the physical requirements, but who can perform the essential function of the job (with or without reasonable accommodations) shall be deemed to meet these requirements.

Physical Requirements

This position normally requires that physical demands of standing, walking, bending, lifting or performing other work requiring low physical exertion, talking and hearing on a regular basis to perform the job requirements. These physical demands are required up to 80% of the time. Position also requires ability to drive with adequate vision and skill.

Education

• Bachelor’s degree preferred
• GED or High School Diploma Required

Experience

• Self-identify as having lived experience as a recipient of mental health or substance use treatment services

Special Skills

• Knowledge of Community Mental Health Systems and requirements
• Knowledge of community resources
• Excellent client and consumer communication skills
• Good verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to manage high detail administrative tasks
• Ability to work independently and as a team member
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) preferred, but not required
• Data entry and other computer skills
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Flexibility in scheduled work hours to accommodate evening hours as necessary
• Utilization of Google Calendar
• Utilizing working cell phone

Licensure, Registration, Certification

• Valid Washington State driver’s license and required minimum liability insurance for WA State
• Must be deemed insurable as determined by Catholic Charities’ liability insurance provider
• Agency Affiliated Counselor Registration
• Peer Certification Training or Certificate required within 6 months of hire

Employment Is Conditional Upon

• Being cleared by criminal background check and fingerprinting when required

Pay & Schedule

Wage Range: $21 - $27 per hour, depending on experience.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8 am to 5 pm.

Benefits

• 13 paid holidays, 12 days of vacation, 12 days of sick leave per year
• Health insurance including medical & prescription coverage, with optional dental and vision insurance plans. Majority of premiums paid by Catholic Charities
• Retirement 403(b) Plan: employee contributions commence upon employment; Catholic Charities contributes 2% of monthly income and matches up to 4% of employee contributions following 6 months of employment
• Basic Life Insurance paid 100% by Catholic Charities
• Flexible Spending Account eligibility following 6 months of employment
• Education Assistance Program reimbursing up to $5,250 per year for approved continuing education after 6 months of employment
• Additional voluntary insurances including supplemental life, accidental death & dismemberment (AD&D), critical illness, long term disability, accident, and ID theft
• Employee Assistance Program includes 3 counseling sessions per year, legal consultations, financial coaching, and other wellbeing tools
• Annual longevity awards begin at 5 years of employment

It is the practice of Catholic Charities to ensure equal employment opportunity without discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, citizenship status, marital status, creed, genetic predisposition or carrier status, sexual orientation, gender expression, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. Applicants from underrepresented backgrounds are encouraged to apply. We gladly offer reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities to support participation in the hiring process and employment.