Outreach Behavioral Health Co-Responder-Peer Counselor

Evergreen Recovery Centers; Washington; On-site; USD 120,862,000 - 141,075,000; Full time

Job summary

Evergreen Recovery Centers in San Juan County, WA is seeking an Outreach Behavioral Health Co-Responder—Peer Counselor. This field-based role partners with the San Juan County Sheriff’s Office to deliver immediate behavioral health support during crises and connect clients with needed services.

The role requires CPC certification in Washington, a valid WA driver’s license, and 2+ years of crisis services experience.

Qualifications

• Washington State CPC certification required.
• High School Diploma or GED required.
• Valid Washington State Driver's License
• 2+ years of providing crisis services
• Willingness to complete law enforcement familiarization training

Responsibilities

• Accompanies law enforcement on co-response calls and provides initial behavioral health support and de-escalation in the field.
• Coordinates referrals and continuity of care with community partners.
• Documents contacts in a timely manner — including interviews and notes — per standards.
• Maintains case records and prepares reports with outcomes data.
• Provides follow-up services when clinically appropriate and necessary.

Skills

Crisis de-escalation

Law enforcement collaboration

Trauma-informed care

Case management

Crisis communication

Cultural competence

Documentation skills

HIPAA compliance

Education

CPC certification

High School Diploma

Driver's license

2+ years crisis services

Job description

If you are unable to complete this application due to a disability, contact this employer to ask for an accommodation or an alternative application process.

Outreach Behavioral Health Co-Responder-Peer Counselor

Professional San Juan Cty, Friday Harbor, WA, US

8 days ago Requisition ID: 1215

Salary Range: $42.18 To $49.23 Hourly

Evergreen Recovery Centers / San Juan County Sheriff’s Office

Position Title

Outreach Behavioral Health Co-Responder—Peer Counselor

Department

San Juan County Outreach / Behavioral Health

Program

Embedded Co-Responder Initiative — San Juan County Sheriff’s Office

Reports To

Program Director / COO

Employment Type

Full-Time | Non-Exempt

Location

San Juan County, WA (Field-Based)

Document ID

ERC-JD-SJC-001

Effective Date

July 2026

1. Position Summary

The Outreach Behavioral Health Co-Responder—Peer Counselor will respond to behavioral health emergencies and referrals in partnership with the San Juan County Sheriff’s Office. This position serves as an embedded behavioral health professional within a co-responder model, working directly with high-utilizers and high-risk individuals.

The Co-Responder will collaborate across the full continuum of San Juan County services, including mental health and medical providers, housing programs, advocacy organizations, schools, public health, community-based organizations, and community liaisons to ensure coordinated, whole-person care for the individuals served.

Target populations include individuals with:

• Extensive psychiatric history
• Unstable or no housing
• Co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders
• Complex behavioral health needs
• Active criminal justice and/or probation involvement

2. Major Duties & Responsibilities

• Follows all policies, procedures, and protocols of the Outreach Behavioral Health Team and ERC organizational standards.
• Accompanies law enforcement on co-response calls as directed; provides initial behavioral health support and de-escalation assistance in the field under the guidance of the clinician & law enforcement.
• Provides immediate intervention during mental health and/or substance use disorder crises encountered through law enforcement co-response calls.
• Works closely with VOA Care Crisis, law enforcement, hospitals, Designated Crisis Responders (DCRs), Mobile Crisis Outreach Agencies, and other community partners to coordinate referrals and continuity of care.
• Completes situational assessments and provides immediate referrals to all clients entering caseload.
• Develops recovery-oriented stabilization plans in collaboration with clients and/or families; coordinates services, arranges resources, advocates for needs, intervenes in crises, and makes appropriate referrals to community providers.
• Documents all contacts in a timely manner — including face-to-face interviews, collateral and networking contacts, counseling appointments, and correspondence — in compliance with ERC, San Juan County Sheriff’s Office, and regulatory standards.
• Maintains case records in accordance with applicable standards and prepares reports by collecting, analyzing, and summarizing outcomes data.
• Prepares case closures in a timely manner, including review and communication of care plans, orientation of family members and collateral contacts, and provision of community resources.
• Provides follow-up services when clinically appropriate and necessary.
• Communicates client progress through weekly interdisciplinary team meetings and supervision; collaborates with community agencies and law enforcement.
• Maintains current knowledge of community resources, eligibility criteria, and referral pathways across San Juan County.
• Attends coordination meetings with law enforcement, county partners, and ERC leadership as required.
• Maintains and updates professional knowledge through participation in training opportunities, professional publications, and applicable professional organizations.
• Participates in training opportunities consistent with the co-responder model, including law enforcement familiarization and trauma-informed outreach practices.
• Maintains availability for flexible hours as required by co-responder scheduling and crisis demand.
• Performs other duties as assigned by the supervisor, consistent with the scope of this position.

3. Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

Outreach & Engagement Skills:

• Ability to provide immediate crisis de-escalation and stabilization in unpredictable field environments alongside law enforcement.
• Experience working collaboratively with law enforcement, first responders, and community partners in crisis situations while maintaining professionalism, sound judgment, and a recovery-oriented approach.
• Strong working knowledge of mental health and substance use disorder systems of care, and trauma-informed practice.
• Familiarity with client record documentation requirements and development/implementation of individualized service plans.
• Proven case management experience with complex, multi-need populations.
• Ability to remain calm, professional, and effective in high-stress and rapidly evolving situations.
• Skill in relating to diverse personality styles, cultures, and backgrounds in field and clinical settings.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills for information gathering, documentation, and cross-agency collaboration.
• Understands and upholds confidentiality requirements under HIPAA, 42 CFR Part 2, and applicable state law.

Operational & Organizational Skills:

• Self-directed and independent working style with ability to manage a varied caseload under general supervision.
• Strong time management, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to quickly adapt to changing events, protocols, and community partner expectations.
• Proficient in electronic health record (EHR) systems and general computer/data entry skills.
• Maintains high standards for accuracy, completeness, and timeliness in all documentation and reporting.

4. Qualifications & Requirements

Qualification / Requirement

Status

Washington State Certified Peer Counselor (CPC) certification required.

Preferred

High School Diploma or GED required.

Required

Valid Washington State Driver's License

Required

2+ years of providing crisis services

Preferred

Willingness to complete law enforcement familiarization training

Required

Prior relevant experience may substitute for years of experience

Substitution Allowed

Preferred

Experience with co-responder or embedded services models

Preferred

Familiarity with San Juan County service landscape

Preferred

5. Working Conditions & Physical Requirements

• Field-based role requiring regular travel throughout San Juan County and surrounding service area.
• Regular and direct contact with law enforcement officers during co-response calls; requires professional conduct consistent with law enforcement protocols.
• Exposure to individuals in active crisis, including those with complex trauma histories, substance use disorders, and behavioral health conditions.
• Flexible scheduling required, including potential evening, weekend, or on-call hours based on program need.
• Must be able to operate a personal or agency vehicle; valid WA driver's license required.
• Standard office and community-based work environments; some physical demands associated with field-based outreach.
• Available to travel between islands within San Juan County to respond to behavioral health crises, conduct outreach, and provide follow-up services as needed.

6. Compliance, Confidentiality & Regulatory Obligations

This position is subject to the following regulatory and compliance frameworks:

• HIPAA (45 CFR Parts 160/164) Protected health information standards.
• 42 CFR Part 2 — substance use disorder confidentiality protection.
• RCW 71.05 — Involuntary treatment act; DCR coordination obligations.
• ERC Organizational Policies — All applicable HR, clinical, and operational SOPs.

MANDATORY REPORTING: This position is a mandatory reporter under RCW 26.44 (child abuse and neglect) and RCW 74.34 (vulnerable adult abuse). All staff must complete mandatory reporter training prior to independent caseload assignment.