Peer Support Specialist/Counselor - WISe

Lutheran Community Services Northwest; Spokane (WA); On-site; USD 42,000 - 64,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision, and pharmacy

Employer-paid disability insurance

Life insurance at no cost

403(b) with employer matching

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Student Loan Forgiveness eligibility

Paid vacation (up to 2 weeks)

Paid sick leave (up to 2 weeks)

12 paid agency holidays

2 floating holidays

Job summary

Lutheran Community Services NW is seeking a WISe Peer Resource and Support Specialist in Spokane, WA. This role centers on providing peer support to youth and families, promoting recovery, and collaborating with clinicians and care coordinators to implement cross-system plans.

The ideal candidate has lived experience, English fluency, and the ability to work flexible hours within a 37.5-hour work week. Training and certifications such as CPR/First Aid and CANs within 90 days are expected.

Qualifications

• HS diploma or equivalent is required.
• Washington State Agency Affiliated Counselor Registration within 90 days of hire may be required.
• CPR/First Aid and Washington State CANS certification within 90 days of start date are expected.

Responsibilities

• Provide peer support one-to-one and in groups in various community settings.
• Promote youth/family participation and engagement in care planning.
• Complete documentation accurately and meet deadlines.
• Collaborate with WISe team to address youth/family needs.
• Attend monthly care planning meetings with professionals and community partners.
• Provide resources to community programs and support families.

Skills

English fluency

Lived experience

Communication

Teamwork

Resilience

Education

HS diploma or equivalent

Washington State Agency Affiliated Counselor Registration

CPR/First Aid

CANS certification (within 90 days)

Job description

WHAT WE WILL DO FOR YOU:

Lutheran Community Services NW is a non-profit organization dedicated to serving communities throughout Washington, Oregon, and Idaho with a wide range of services for individuals of all ages and backgrounds. All LCSNW team members will contribute to our mission of partnering with individuals, families and communities for health, justice and hope

As an employer of choice, we’re deeply committed to supporting our employees—because when you’re empowered, our mission thrives. We provide resources, tools, and care that allow you to focus on what matters most: delivering Health, Justice, and Hope to the communities we serve. We’re proud to offer a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your well-being, growth, and peace of mind.

• A 37.5 per hour work week to ensure work/life balance
• Medical, dental, vision, and prescription benefits to keep you and your loved ones healthy
• Employer-paid short- and long-term disability insurance
• Life insurance coverage at no cost to you
• Up to 2 weeks of vacation in your first year (based on hours worked)
• Up to 2 weeks of sick leave (based on hours worked)
• 12 paid agency recognized holidays
• 2 floating holidays to use your way
• 403(b) retirement plan with employer matching (eligibility applies)
• Access to our Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for you and your family
• Potential eligibility for Student Loan Forgiveness through our 501(c)(3) nonprofit status

HOW YOU WILL MAKE AN IMPACT:

All LCSNW team members will contribute to our mission of partnering with individuals, families and communities for health, justice and hope.

The WISe Peer Resource and Support Specialist will maintain the integrity of the Wraparound process. Peer counselors have lived experience in systems that service children, youth and families. A Peer counselor ideally inspires hope and the vision that recovery and resiliency is possible. A peer counselor can be a peer of an individual with mental health challenges, or a peer of a parent or guardian who is raising a child with mental health challenges.

The ideal candidate will display a compassionate nature, have the ability to demonstrate and implement creative thought processes, and provide exceptional service. Communication, confidentiality and professionalism are essential parts of this position. The ability to work flexible hours including evenings and managing your work time effectively within 37.5 hour work weeks is essential.

• Provide peer support on a one-to-one basis, in peer support groups, in the community such as the peer’s home, meetings, court rooms, hospitals, schools, etc.
• Help promote a culture that sees youth/family participation as valuable.
• Be able to complete all required documentation accurately and meet all required deadlines.
• Collaborate with other members of the WISe team (clinician, care coordinator) to identify how each WISe team member is addressing ongoing youth/family needs identified on cross-system care plan.
• Attend monthly child and family team (CFT) planning meetings that address youth and family goals with other professional supports, natural supports, and community partners.
• Provide parent, guardian, and/or youth with resources to community programs.
• Participate in required weekly individual supervision, case consultation, and staff meetings to explore approaches for engaging with youth and families, process themes of transference/countertransference as they occur, and identify support needed for professional growth in field.
• Demonstrate respect for and build on the values, preferences, beliefs, culture, and identity, of the child/youth and family, and their community. Ensure youth/families are present when decisions about them are made and encourage them to take an active role in their care planning.
• Travel throughout countywide service area with mileage reimbursement allocated bi-monthly.

HOW YOU WILL BE A GREAT FIT:

• HS diploma or equivalent
• Lived experience that enhances relatability to clients being served
• Are required upon start/within 90 days of hire. Credentials may be required depending on individual program or location requirements. Submit Washington State Agency Affiliated Counselor Registration Application, CPR/First Aid, Washington State CANS certification (within 90 days of start date) and Obtain Certified Peer Counselor certification
• Fluency in English, both spoken and written
• Basic mastery of business applications and productivity suites
• Demonstrates resilience, awareness and self-regulation in navigating challenges, conflict and obstacles/barriers.
• Thrives in a diverse and multicultural environment; works with cross-functional teams to develop and implement strategies to enhance end-user experiences throughout the service lifecycle
• Demonstrates exceptional commitment to serving and advocating for diverse and marginalized populations
• Successfully completes tasks in a moderately noisy environment
• Interacts with others and performs tasks in-person and through the use of technology, with moderate periods of stationary activity and minimal periods of increased physical activity including and not limited to interactions with youth in school, office or community settings.
• Moves equipment/materials weighing up to 20 pounds.
• Travels between worksites regularly, which requires valid driver’s license, auto insurance, and motor vehicle records clearance and consistent access to a reliable vehicle.
• Works in a variety of settings, including and not limited to LCSNW office locations, partner agency and community-based settings, client home/community settings, outdoor settings in varying weather conditions, and faith-based settings such as churches
• Meets LCSNW criminal background clearance requirements and other job-relevant clearances as required by the State or program. Must not be prohibited from entering school grounds or classrooms for any reason.

Thank you! We sincerely appreciate your interest in joining the Lutheran Community Services NW team and thank all applicants for taking the time to apply. While we’re unable to respond to every candidate individually, please note that only those selected for an interview will be contacted. Lutheran Community Services NW is deeply committed to our mission of Health, Justice and Hope in all aspects of our work. We welcome candidates from all backgrounds and experiences to help us build a stronger, more compassionate community.