Youth Peer Specialist

Community Youth Services; Olympia (WA); On-site; USD 43,000 - 48,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

HSA contributions

Dental

Vision

Life insurance

Paid holidays

Professional development

Job summary

Community Youth Services seeks a Youth Peer Specialist to join the Transitional Age Youth (TAY) team, delivering home and community-based behavioral health services to youths ages 15–24 in Thurston and Mason counties. You will use lived experiences to empower clients, collaborate with the treatment team, and promote engagement throughout care.

Starting pay ranges from $31.27 to $34.92 per hour, full-time and non-exempt, serving Thurston & Mason counties.

Qualifications

• Lived experience in behavioral health with recovery maintained; include a brief recovery synopsis with application.
• Must maintain Certified Peer Support Specialist certification and Agency Affiliated Counselor credential.
• Associate Degree with 2 years’ experience with at-risk youth or families preferred; HS diploma acceptable with experience.

Responsibilities

• Experience Sharing: use personal recovery experiences to inspire hope and empowerment.
• Engagement: maintain active involvement with participants and outreach to increase engagement.
• Collaboration: work with treatment team to provide comprehensive support for TAY participants.

Skills

Lived experience

Empathy

Communication

Education

Certified Peer Support Specialist certification

Agency Affiliated Counselor credential

Associate Degree

High School Diploma

Job description

Community Youth Services is seeking a Youth Peer Specialist to join the Transitional Age Youth (TAY) team. This role is vital in providing home and community-based services to individuals aged 15-24 in Thurston and Mason counties. Candidates should have completed the HCA-Approved Certified Peer Support Specialist Training.

As a TAY Peer Youth Specialist, you will provide crucial behavioral health services to youth aged 15 to 24, helping them become active agents in their care. Your role will include:

• Experience Sharing: Use personal recovery experiences to inspire hope and empowerment in participants.
• Engagement: Maintain active involvement with participants throughout their treatment and conduct outreach to increase engagement for clients.
• Collaboration: Work closely with treatment team to offer comprehensive support to TAY participants.

Your role is designed to work with youth to empower them in their mental health journey, ensuring they have the support and resources needed to thrive. This position is an opportunity to make a significant impact on the lives of young people by using lived experiences to foster resilience and success in their transition to adulthood.

Starting pay is $31.27 to $34.92 per hour. (Non-exempt) (Full-time) covering Thurston & Mason counties.

Qualifications:

1. Be a person with lived experience as a participant in Behavioral Health (mental health) services or with multiple-system involvement who is confident in their recovery. A lived experience letter with a brief synopsis of your lived experience and a focused explanation of how you maintain your recovery is required with application.
2. Must qualify for and maintain Certified Peer Support Specialist certification and Agency Affiliated Counselor credential.
3. Associate Degree with 2 years of experience working with at-risk youth or families preferred. High school diploma and experience will be considered.

Join us at CYS and be part of a team that’s dedicated to creating positive change and providing hope for the future.

About CYS: CYS has been a cornerstone in downtown Olympia for over 50 years, offering a wide range of services to at-risk youth and their families. As the largest child welfare agency in southwest Washington, we pride ourselves on a staff-driven culture that values our team as our greatest asset.

Benefits:

• Competitive salary starting at $30.36 to $38.93 per hour
• Comprehensive benefits package including health insurance, HSA contributions, dental, vision, life insurance, and more paid by the agency.
• Generous vacation, sick leave, 11+ paid holidays, and 4 personal holidays.
• Opportunities for professional development and training.

Additional Benefits & Agency Qualifications are detailed on the Career Page on the agency website.

CYS is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to creating a diverse and inclusive work environment and does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, creed, religion, age, marital or nursing mother status, pregnancy, national origin, citizenship, the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or any other status or characteristic protected by applicable local, state, or federal law.