Peer Counselor - Diversion

Catholic Charities Serving Central Washington; Wenatchee (WA); On-site; USD 31,000 - 38,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement 403(b) Plan

13 paid holidays

Vacation/Sick leave (12 days each)

Job summary

Catholic Charities Serving Central Washington is seeking a Peer Counselor in Wenatchee, WA to support individuals with behavioral health needs and help divert them from incarceration or hospitalization.

The role emphasizes recovery lived experience, collaboration with a range of service providers, and transportation assistance for appointments. Requires Peer Specialist credentials and a WA driver’s license.

Qualifications

• Must be a self-identified consumer of mental health or substance use disorder treatment services in stable recovery for at least one year.
• Two years of experience providing peer services preferred.
• Certified Peer Support Specialist or Certified Peer Support Specialist Trainee credential required or preferred by the agency.
• Registered Agency Affiliated Counselor credential required.
• Valid Washington State driver’s license and required minimum liability insurance by WA State.
• Must be deemed insurable as determined by Catholic Charities’ liability insurance provider.

Responsibilities

• Provide outreach, support, and coordination of services for individuals with behavioral health challenges.
• Assist clients with identifying and accessing medical, dental, and behavioral health treatment as appropriate.
• Assist clients with obtaining and maintaining housing and developing independent living skills.
• Attend scheduled court appearances with clients and provide transportation as needed.
• Engage with community partners to coordinate services and advocate on clients’ behalf.
• Maintain detailed records of services, client interactions, and diversion agreement compliance.

Skills

verbal and written communication

self-motivation & time management

professional representation

bilingual en/es (preferred)

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Job description

Job Location: Wenatchee, WA 98801. Position Type: Full Time. Education Level: High School or GED. Salary Range: $22.26 - $27.56 hourly. Travel Percentage: Up to 50%. Shift: Day.

Position Summary

The Peer Counselor provides outreach, support, and coordination of services for individuals experiencing behavioral health challenges who may be at risk of incarceration, hospitalization, or involvement in the criminal court system. The goal of this position is to help stabilize behavioral health needs and divert individuals from incarceration or hospitalization into the least restrictive setting possible. The Peer Counselor supports clients by utilizing their own lived experience with recovery to engage individuals in services and assist them in navigating behavioral health, criminal justice, and community systems. Services may be provided in the community, jail settings, other healthcare agencies, in a client’s home, or at a Catholic Charities clinic location depending on need.

Direct Support and Client Advocacy

• Evaluate clients’ needs and collaborate with clients to develop a plan for their own care & recovery
• Assist clients with identifying and accessing medical, dental, and behavioral health treatment as appropriate to each client’s needs and goals
• Assist clients with obtaining and maintaining housing
• Support clients to develop independent living skills such as budgeting, creating and sticking to a routine, paying bills, accessing food banks or grocery shopping, utilizing a calendar to make and track appointments, etc.
• Attend scheduled court appearances with clients
• Provide transportation to clients for appointments with other service providers
• Share personal experiences with recovery and service navigation as appropriate to build trust with clients, using active listening skills and compassion to support clients in their recovery journey

Community Coordination and Collaboration

• Respond in the community to law enforcement requests for diversion support and immediately engage the individual to offer resources and support
• Assess the client for safety and de‑escalate clients who are experiencing a crisis
• Work with community partners to help coordinate services to meet clients’ needs
• Facilitate communication between clients and service providers and advocate on clients’ behalf as appropriate
• Review jail roster regularly for diversion referrals and active Trueblood Class Members

Documentation and Supervision

• Maintain detailed, accurate records of services provided, client interactions, and diversion agreement compliance
• Prepare and provide monthly progress reports for attorneys and prosecutors
• Attend regular supervision meetings, team staffing, trainings, community events, and other meetings as instructed

Other Duties

• Perform other duties as assigned

Qualifications

Physical Requirements

• Standing, walking, bending, lifting or performing other low physical exertion tasks up to 80% of the time
• Talking and hearing on a regular basis to perform the job requirements
• Ability to drive with adequate vision and skill

Education

• High School Diploma or GED required

Experience

• Must be a self‑identified consumer of mental health or substance use disorder treatment services in stable recovery for at least one year
• Two years of experience providing peer services preferred

Special Skills

• Effective verbal and written communication skills
• Self‑motivated with excellent time management skills
• Ability to represent the agency in a professional manner within the community
• Bilingual/biliterate in English & Spanish preferred

Licensure, Registration, Certification

• Certified Peer Support Specialist or Certified Peer Support Specialist Trainee credential
• Registered Agency Affiliated Counselor credential
• Valid Washington State driver’s license and required minimum liability insurance by WA State
• Must be deemed insurable as determined by Catholic Charities’ liability insurance provider

Employment Conditions

• Being cleared by criminal background check and fingerprinting when required

Work Schedule

Tuesday – Friday, 7:00am – 6:00pm, occasional on‑call rotation

Wage Range

$22.26 – $27.56 per hour, depending on education & experience

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.