Peer Support Specialist/Counselor (Multilingual)

Our Mission: Lutheran Community Services Northwest partners with individuals, families and communities for health, justice and hope.
About Us Lutheran Community Services Northwest is a non-profit human services agency that improves lives of people in communities throughout Washington, Oregon and Idaho. We provide a wide variety of services to adults, adolescents, children, families, schools and communities. We are privileged to touch lives of all ages, cultures and faiths.
Our Mission: Lutheran Community Services Northwest partners with individuals, families and communities for health, justice and hope.
About Us: Lutheran Community Services Northwest is a non-profit human services agency that improves lives of people in communities throughout Washington, Oregon and Idaho. We provide a wide variety of services to adults, adolescents, children, families, schools and communities. We are privileged to impact the lives of all ages, cultures, and faiths. Our Columbia Basin offices provide Intensive Behavioral Health programs for Medicaid Youth under the age of 21.
Position Summary: A Peer Support Specialist works with youth and families enrolled in the WISe program and functions as a core member of a collaborative care team. The Peer Support Specialist partners with youth, family, natural supports and other community service providers to promote safe, stable and healthy families. This position provides community-based services, including meetings occurring in the family's home or community setting of their choice. This position requires the ability to work flexible hours including evenings.
RESPONSIBILITIES: The primary duties and responsibilities of the Peer Support Specialist include, but are not limited to:
1. Maintain a caseload of up to 25 youth and their families.
2. Provide one-on-one and group Peer Support services in a variety of settings such as the youth/family's home, meetings, court rooms, hospitals, schools, etc.
3. Promote and model a culture that sees youth/family participation as valuable and ensures that youth/families have voice and choice in their own care and are active participants in the WISe process.
4. Identify potential barriers to participation such as transportation needs and work schedules. Collaborate with the youth, family, and other team members to identify solutions to remove barriers.
5. Attend and participate in Child and Family Team (CFT) meetings. When unable to attend, Peer Support Specialist provides the Care Coordinator with updates on progress and other relevant information in advance of the meeting.
6. Increase the "natural supports" in CFT membership and the youth/family's integration into their community. This is accomplished by getting to know the family history, culture, and resources, and by helping the youth and family to identify and engage potential supports.
7. Be willing to share lived experiences to provide hope and Peer Support to youth/families experiencing similar challenges.
8. Ensure youth/families are present when decisions about them are made and encourage them to take an active role in their care planning.
9. Facilitates and coordinates a wide range of scheduled activities to assist individuals in exercising control over their own lives and recovery process for themselves and/or their youth.
10. Share resources and information with parents/caregivers and/or youth in a culturally sensitive and a developmentally appropriate way to ensure understanding of the WISe process and access to information regarding their care.
11. Participation in the planning and execution of WISe activities and functions including groups, summer youth activities, Holiday celebrations, Youth and Family Nights, etc.
12. Transport youth/families as necessary and travel to various community locations for meetings, interventions and other identified needs.
PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS: All staff employed in the WISe Program will adhere to the following standards of practice:
1. Complete all progress notes and other documentation required for the youths' medical record within the timelines outlined by LCSNW.
2. Attend and participate in routinely scheduled department and agency staff meetings.
3. Complete all required training.
4. Model and encourage direct, professional communication and promote a positive work environment.
5. Meet or exceed productivity expectations for the role.
6. Recognize the value and strengths of all cultures and maintain a professional problem-solving attitude while dealing with cross-cultural challenges or conflicts.
7. Function in accordance with the LCSNW personnel and administrative policies and procedures and administrative practices of the Columbia Basin office.
8. Demonstrate and implement ethical decision making in accordance with the Columbia Basin office Ethics Training, provided upon hire
QUALIFICATIONS:

1. Identify as a consumer of mental health service. Consumer Means:
   a. Someone who has received mental health services.
   b. Parent/guardian of a child under the age of 13, or a child age 13 and older who are involved in the treatment plan in child's mental health services.
2. Be in mental health recovery for at least one year.
3. Dependable, flexible, and punctual performance, including managing one's own schedule within a 37.5 hour full time work week.
4. Ability to work in an unstructured and unpredictable setting, ability to adapt to change
5. A strong work ethic and a focus on serving youth and families.
6. Able to work respectfully and cooperatively with a variety of persons, including coworkers, supervisors, community partners, the public, volunteers, and enrolled youth and their families.
7. Able to stay calm and present in tense situations.
8. Able to actively support and uphold the mission, beliefs, and values of Lutheran Community Services at all times.
9. Proficient use of computer-based programs; preferred experience with Microsoft Office, Gmail and Google Calendar or similar web-based and computer programs.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:
• High School Diploma or GED
CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS:
• Obtain Washington State Agency Affiliated Counselor Registration or related professional license (Within 60 Days)
• CPR/First Aid (Within 90 Days)
• Washington State CANS certification. (Within 90 Days)
• Clearance through the Washington State Patrol (background check) and verification of ability to work around vulnerable populations is necessary.
• Clearance of Motor Vehicle Report to meet LCSNW insurance requirements.
• Valid driver's license, proof of Insurance and reliable transportation is required.
Travel: In this role you will be required to travel throughout the Benton and Franklin Counties in Eastern Washington State. Mileage reimbursement will be allocated monthly.
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The Perks: We offer a full benefits package with options for medical, dental, prescription and vision coverage; employer-paid short and long-term disability, as well as life insurance. Vacation includes up to 2 weeks in the first year. Up to 2 weeks of Sick leave for you or to take care of your immediate family (based on hours worked). 12 Paid Holidays plus 2 Floating Holidays each year. A 403(b) Retirement plan, with employer matching after meeting eligibility requirements. Our Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is designed to help and support you. Staff potentially eligible for Student Loan Forgiveness program as a 501(c) 3 employer.
We thank all candidates in advance for their interest in joining the Lutheran Community Services Northwest team. Only those selected for an interview will be contacted.
LUTHERAN COMMUNITY SERVICES NORTHWEST IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER AND COMMITTED TO CULTURAL COMPETENCY.
Other details

• Job Family LCS Multilingual
• Pay Type Hourly
• Min Hiring Rate $17.92
• Max Hiring Rate $23.35
• Travel Required Yes
• Required Education High School
• Job Start Date Thursday, February 1, 2024

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