Overview

Our Commitment to Equity

The Y actively promotes a culture free from bias and injustice. We are dedicated to removing institutional and systemic barriers that result in oppression and racism. We will be accountable to marginalized communities for creating equitable and sustainable environments where social justice is woven into every facet of our programs, and by caring for our communities in a culturally versatile and respectful manner.

Job Summary

You will provide culturally competent, and strength-based peer support to youth, young adults, and families experiencing a behavioral or mental health crisis. Working alongside a Mental Health Care Professional, this position will utilize de-escalation techniques to stabilize the situation; assist in developing a Safety and Action Plan to address priority needs; and, where appropriate, transport individuals to care facilities or alternative placement in the community. Services are provided in client homes or safe community locations (hospital, overnight shelter, transitional housing). You will collaborate with co-workers, supervisors, outside professionals, and others involved in delivering the individual or family’s care to meet safety plan needs and action plan goals. As part of a connected, 24/7 regional crisis program, you support care coordination by passing down outreach details and outcomes to our day teams.

This position is with the Y Social Impact Center, the social services division of the YMCA of Greater Seattle (YGS), serving around 5,000 youth, young adults, and families every year in communities across King County, Pierce County, and various counties across WA. Through our programs we aim to strengthen young people’s ability to develop to their fullest potential through four strategies: reducing risk factors; navigating systems towards successful life transition; establishing stability, safety and wellness in times of crisis; and building competencies and social capital. The Social Impact Center’s programs include homelessness prevention, housing, behavioral health, crisis response, foster care licensing, violence prevention, and employment. Since many of the young people we serve have been involved in the foster care, criminal justice, behavioral health, and/or homelessness systems, we truly value relatable lived experience of our staff and those applying for our positions as an asset.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work

This is a full-time, overnight position in which staff are dispatched from their homes to various locations in the community. Dispatches arrive through a phone app, so staff need to be able to hear notifications, wake up, and respond in a timely manner with their shift partner. All crisis work is to be done in-person unless the individual/family explicitly requests a telehealth response.

After Hours teams are scheduled to provide on-call support every night (weekdays and weekends), including holidays. The hours of work are typically from 6/7:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m. the following morning. Flexibility is required with some weekend daytime work required as job duties demand.

This position is part of our CCORS Program Regional Expansion. There is the opportunity to support youth, young adults, and families in North and East King County (Bellevue, Bothell, Duval, Issaquah, Kenmore, Woodinville, etc.), South King County (Auburn, Federal Wy, Enumclaw, Maple Valley, etc.) or Central King County (Seattle, Vashon, Eastlake, Capital Hill, etc.).

What you'll get from working at The Y

• Membership to the YMCA of Greater Seattle for you and your household
• Medical, Dental, Vision, and Life insurance
• Retirement with generous employer contributions
• Free access to mental health resources
• Rapidly accruing paid time off (PTO)
• Full-time employees qualify for a 50% discount, and part-time employees qualify for a 25%discount, on eligible Childcare Services.
• Working at the YMCA may contribute to eligibility for student loan forgiveness
  
  

Peer Support Specialist I: Hiring Range: $22.00 - 25.00/hr

Peer Support Specialist II: Hiring Range: $24.00 - 27.00/hr

• Required qualifications listed below
  
  

Responsibilities

• Provides immediate, intensive crisis outreach services overnight to children, youth, young adults, and families throughout King County and additional coverage as needed.
• Assists in stabilizing the environment and de-escalating the immediate crisis.
• Assists in developing a Safety Plan to address the immediate crisis over the next 24 - 72 hours.
• Assist youth, young adults, and families in developing self-determination and empowerment skills through self-advocacy.
• Identifies individual or family stresses, instability and provides appropriate support.
• Identifies community resources and natural supports and works with the individual or family to effectively navigate resources.
• Collaborates effectively with co-workers, supervisors, and outside professionals.
• Provides timely and accurate updates to our crisis dispatcher in real time to support effective crisis response and the safety of teams in the field.
• Transports individuals to care facilities or safe, alternative community placements as appropriate to support the safety plan.
• Flexes schedule to support other regions to meet the needs of our program and community.
• Maintains a working knowledge of current trends and developments in behavioral health.
• Completes required documentation within program deadlines.
• Reports all critical incidents and adheres to YMCA program rules and procedures.
  
  

Code of Conduct for Applicants

Qualifications

• Minimum age of 21 years
• Lived experience in receiving services as a youth, young adult, or parent/guardian in complex,youth-serving systems (juvenile justice, behavioral health, child welfare, special educationpreferred) and is prepared to use that experience in helping others.
• Other applicable education, training, and experience, which provide the knowledge, abilities, andskills necessary to perform effectively in the position will be considered.
• Ability to work independently and as a part of a team
• Ability to effectively communicate with others
• Ability to set priorities and manage time effectively
• Ability to use a computer and work with Microsoft Windows Outlook and electronic health records data system.
• Trained in and familiar with recovery model and able to assist youth, young adults, and families in mental or behavioral health crisis.
• Demonstrated ability to engage youth, young adults, and families in safety planning that is culturally- and developmentally appropriate.
• Knowledge of community services and resources including: support groups, mental health, substance abuse, child welfare, juvenile justice, developmental disabilities, special education programs, etc.
• Experience with crisis de-escalation and crisis stabilization practices.
• The following physical and mental abilities are required: frequent lifting or carrying up to 15 pounds, must be able to hear, frequent standing/walking going up and down stairs due to community outreach basis, ability to communicate effectively in person and/or phone, the ability to read, analyze and interpret information, ability to write reports, correspondence and procedures, ability to maintain notes/records, ability to define and solve practical problems, collect data
• WA State Peer Counselor Certification preferred and required within one year of employment.
• Possession of a high school diploma or equivalence preferred
• Possession of valid driver’s license and have access to a private vehicle for day-to-day job performance and ability to transport self and youth in a safe and effective manner, and to meet youth and families at their home or in the community. (Proof of adequate vehicle insurance coverage is required.)
• Prefer knowledge of, and previous experience with, diverse populations (language, culture, race, physical activity, sexual orientation, etc.). Ability to speak any language in addition to English may be helpful.
• Current State-approved first aid certification, state-approved CPR certification, BBP (HIV/AIDS) training certification.*
• Washington State Agency Affiliated Counseling Credential. **
  
  

Peer Support Specialist I:

• WA State Peer Counselor Certification preferred and required within one year of employment.
  
  

Peer Support Specialist II:

• 2 years of relevant experience in social services
• WA State Peer Counselor Certification preferred and required within 30 days of employment.
• Within 30 days of employment or first available training.
• Training and certification can be completed after hire. Start process of training and certification within the first month of hire and full certification as a Peer within 6 months of hire.
  
  

Preferred Qualifications:

• Knowledge of and previous experience with diverse populations (language, culture, race, physical ability, sexual orientation, etc.).
• Ability to speak any language in addition to English may be helpful.
  
  

Other combinations of applicable education, training, and experience which provide the knowledge, abilities, and skills necessary to perform effectively in the position may be considered.

All job offers are contingent on the results of a background check. We participate in the Federal E-Verify system.

Reliable Transportation Requirement

This role requires the incumbent to have access to reliable transportation to meet clients/families in the community in a timely manner.

Authorized Driver Requirement

This safety-sensitive role requires transporting clients as “authorized drivers” for the Y using an agency-provided vehicle. To meet this requirement, you must be age 21+, have a valid driver's license for at least three years and possessing a driving record that meets Y standards (no more than two moving violations within the last three years, no significant incidents such as reckless driving, DUI/DWI, no tickets 20+ miles above the speed limit etc. within 5 years). You must also pass a drug screen that will test for impairing substances, including marijuana.

You'll be a great fit for the Seattle Y if you:

• Thrive on working in a collaborative environment
• Are very adaptable
• Have high ownership and strong work ethic
• Are a great problem solver who can think on your feet
• Truly enjoy being of service to people
• Like being part of a team that cares about one another as people and enjoy working together
• Want to know that the work you do contributes to building a better, stronger community for all
  
  

At the Seattle Y, we are an inclusive organization of people with a shared commitment to nurture the potential of youth, promote healthy living, and foster social responsibility. We also believe in supporting the wellbeing of our employees and offer a free Y membership as a benefit of employment.

Become a leader on our team at the YMCA of Greater Seattle where we promote a continuous learning environment and career opportunities.

“YGS is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to creating a diverse and equitable work environment. Qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to their race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other status protected by local, state, or federal law.

We are a drug & alcohol-free workplace; all job offers are contingent on the results of a background check and (on applicable jobs) drug screening, including screening for marijuana. We participate in the Federal E-Verify system.

If you need assistance of any kind with the application process, reach out to recruiting@seattleymca.org or the HR department at 206.382.5082.”

Peer, Specialist, Support, Counselor

MISSION STATEMENT:

Building a community where all people, especially the young, are encouraged to develop their fullest potential in spirit, mind, and body.

OUR VALUES:

• Respect
• Responsibility
• Honesty
• Caring
• Passion for Excellence