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.

POSITION SUMMARY: The Peer Support Specialist acts in the capacity of an advocate, providing support, encouragement and assistance to families referred through DHS/Self Sufficiency to enhance family stability and support workforce readiness. Provides a comprehensive screening to determine immediate needs. Provides peer support to children, adolescents and adults to address immediate needs. Collaborates with community partners and connects families to relevant resources to support progress. Peer Navigator works from the basis of their personal experiences and shares this perspective in order to support consumer needs. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS/MAJOR JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Provide in-home change services to children, adolescents and families
• Assess for parental capacities as related to child safety and well-being, and unmet basic needs child safety and well-being
• Help family members overcome barriers and identify strengths
• Report any potentially dangerous situations or safety plan violations
• Help parents improve protective capacities
• Knowledge of dynamics of high-risk families including substance use and behavioral health through lived experiences
• Coordinate case activities with Contract Supervisor, DHS/Self-Sufficiency, schools and other community partners
• Maintain client confidentiality
• Provide a range of services including parent education, communication skills, home management, budgeting, stress reduction, stabilization of home environment, and other appropriate services
• Maintain accurate and current client records, including weekly progress notes, treatment goals, monthly progress reports, and initial screening, within the electronic client record (ECR); sign documents to meet contract requirements.
• Refer client to supportive services to supplement treatment and counseling as appropriate
• Maintain and carry out all scheduled appointments
• Prepare clear, concise written reports, including goal setting, closing summaries, and other reports as required
• Create and maintain positive, collaborative relationships with supportive partners in the community
• Provide intervention that is family-focused, culturally relevant, behavior and goal-directed

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Must have respectful, open, unbiased, accepting attitude toward clients and their families and practice with cultural competency
• Must work a flexible schedule to meet families’ needs with the support of your supervisor and other home based team members
• Must have proven skills in creativity, problem solving, team building, resource development, mediation, etc.
• Must be able to collaborate with community providers
• Must be able to work in a multicultural setting
• Requires strict adherence of HIPAA standards in the office workspace to ensure client confidentiality
• Ability to travel to families’ homes and communities required. A valid driver's license, car insurance, and access to a vehicle are required.

High School Diploma or GED. Must be at least 18 years of age. Must have personal lived experience with mental health and/or substance use recovery services. Must have respectful, open, unbiased, accepting attitude toward clients and their families.
CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS: Certified Peer Support Specialist (PSS), or completed within 60 days of hire, training is provided.

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.