Peer Specialist - Youth and Young Adult Services

The Peer Specialist is a lived-experience-informed position that provides peer support and outreach to youth and young adults experiencing homelessness or at imminent risk of homelessness, including engaging with partner agencies and landlords. The Peer Specialist establishes trust-based relationships and facilitates connections to housing and supportive services. This role supports youth in building independent living skills, understanding tenant rights and responsibilities, and problem-solving related to housing and employment stability. The Peer Specialist assists with and co-facilitates monthly youth groups, contributes to staff development by promoting effective youth-centered engagement strategies, and represents youth perspectives through participation in the Youth Advisory Board. Additionally, the position attends community and partner meetings, collaborates with service providers, and maintains accurate documentation in electronic data systems.

• Conduct street outreach, respond to walk-ins, and engage participants through self- and other referrals
• Assist participants in accessing housing, shelter resources, public benefits, employment, education, healthcare, and mental health and substance use services.
• Support participants with tenant education, independent living skills, and problem-solving
• Coordinate with landlords, employers, shelters, and community partners to support ongoing housing stability and service engagement.
• Develop relationships with landlords and housing providers in the community to increase participation in the youth housing program and support conflict resolution when complications arise
• Attend community partner meetings and represent & advocate for youth perspectives through participation in the Youth Advisory Board
• Recruit youth who need housing support and resources to participate in the youth housing program
• Organize and host social and skill-building events for youth program participants, and attend community and agency-sponsored events to represent youth housing programs
• Maintain timely, accurate, and complete documentation in electronic record systems in accordance with program and funder requirements.
• Participate in required supervision, team meetings, training, and peer audits.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Job Requirements:

The following requirements are those that are normally required for performance of this position. Any disabled applicant or incumbent who does not meet or more of the physical requirements, but who can perform the essential function of the job (with or without reasonable accommodations) shall be deemed to meet these requirements.

Physical Requirements:

This position normally requires physical demands of standing, walking, bending, lifting or performing other work requiring low physical exertion, talking and hearing on a regular basis to perform the job requirements. These physical demands are required up to 80% of the time. Position also requires ability to drive with adequate vision and skill.

Non-Physical Requirements:

Education

• High school diploma or GED required

Experience

• Lived experience in foster care or homelessness required
• Must be a self-identified consumer of mental health or substance use disorder treatment services and be stable in recovery for at least one year

Special Skills

• Knowledge of community resources and agencies
• Good verbal and written communication skills, including strong interpersonal skills and tactfulness
• Ability to manage high detail administrative tasks
• Ability to work independently and as a team member
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) preferred, but not required
• Data entry and other computer skills, including Google Calendar
• Ability to use a smartphone for business purposes

Licensure, Registration, Certification

• Registered Agency Affiliated Counselor credential within 90 days of hire
• Peer Counselor certification through the Washington Health Care Authority upon hire or Certified Peer Support Specialist or Certified Peer Support Specialist Trainee credential from the Washington State Department of Health within 6 months of hire
• Valid Washington State driver's license and required minimum liability insurance for WA State
• Must be deemed insurable as determined by Catholic Charities' liability insurance provider

Employment is conditional upon:

• Being cleared by criminal background check and fingerprinting when required

Wage Range: $21 to $27 hourly, depending on education and experience

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8am to 5pm

Benefits:

• 13 paid holidays, 12 days of vacation, 12 days of sick leave per year
• Health insurance including medical & prescription coverage, with optional dental and vision insurance plans. Majority of premiums paid by Catholic Charities
• Retirement 403(b) Plan: employee contributions commence upon employment; Catholic Charities contributes 2% of monthly income and matches up to 4% of employee contributions following 6 months of employment
• Basic Life Insurance paid 100% by Catholic Charities
• Flexible Spending Account eligibility following 6 months of employment
• Education Assistance Program reimbursing up to $5,250 per year for approved continuing education after 6 months of employment
• Additional voluntary insurances including supplemental life, accidental death & dismemberment (AD&D), critical illness, long term disability, accident, and ID theft
• Employee Assistance Program includes 3 counseling sessions per year, legal consultations, financial coaching, and other wellbeing tools
• Annual longevity awards begin at 5 years of employment

It is the practice of Catholic Charities to ensure equal employment opportunity without discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, citizenship status, marital status, creed, genetic predisposition or carrier status, sexual orientation, gender expression, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. Applicants from underrepresented backgrounds are encouraged to apply. We gladly offer reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities to support participation in the hiring process and employment.