Peer Counselor - Diversion

Catholic Charities Serving Central Washington; Wenatchee (WA); On-site; USD 30,665 - 37,966; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement 403(b) Plan

Education Assistance Program

Paid holidays and vacation

Employee Assistance Program

Job summary

Catholic Charities Serving Central Washington is looking for a Peer Counselor to provide outreach and support for individuals facing behavioral health challenges. Essential responsibilities include evaluating client needs, assisting with treatment access and housing, and coordinating community services. Candidates should have a high school diploma and preferably have two years of experience in peer services. The position offers a wage range between $22.26 and $27.56 per hour, depending on experience, with various benefits including health insurance and retirement plans.

Qualifications

• Must self-identify as a consumer of mental health or substance use services in stable recovery for at least one year.
• Two years of experience providing peer services preferred.
• Ability to drive with adequate vision and skill.

Responsibilities

• Evaluate clients’ needs and collaborate to develop care plans.
• Assist clients with medical, dental, and behavioral health access.
• Support clients in developing independent living skills.

Skills

Effective verbal and written communication skills

Self-motivated with excellent time management skills

Bilingual/biliterate in English & Spanish

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Tools

Licensed Washington State driver’s license

Job description

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.

Responsibilities

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’s, trainings, community events, and other meetings as instructed

Qualifications

Perform other duties as assigned

Job Requirements

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 the 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

• 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

• Possess and utilize 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 Is Conditional Upon

• 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.