Certified Peer Counselor-Crisis Services

Full Job Description

Join our Snohomish County Behavioral Health/Crisis Services Team!

Position:
We are seeking a full-time, FLSA-covered team member to join our Behavioral Health/Crisis Services Division. We’re looking for someone who is passionate about supporting individuals experiencing a behavioral health crisis and making a meaningful impact in our community.

This position plays a key role in supporting the Snohomish County Crisis Team, which provides both voluntary and involuntary crisis response services throughout the county.

Using their own personal lived experience, the Peer Support Specialist offers empathy, guidance, and encouragement to individuals in crisis while working closely with crisis team clinicians to promote safety, stability, and resilience.

Responsibilities include accompanying crisis team members on community outreach visits, providing voluntary follow-up support both in person and by phone, and helping coordinate next steps during and after a crisis episode.

To Be Considered:
Applicants must electronically submit an application through Snohomish County’s NeoGov site by 11:59 p.m. on the closing date. A resume and cover letter are required, along with a copy of your driver's license. When your application is complete, verify the information and make sure there is nothing missing. Be sure to verify your education and/or experience comply with the minimum requirements section of this posting. Click on APPLY & SUBMIT and then click on CHECK APPLICATION STATUS. If you have problems with your application, please contact NeoGov Application Support at 855-524-5627

About Human Services:
The Human Services Department's mission is to help all persons meet their basic needs and develop their potential by providing timely, effective human services and building community.

The Human Services Department includes 350+ diverse, friendly and dedicated employees who benefit from outstanding benefits and competitive wages. Employees are appreciated and have the opportunity to make a real difference in our community. Snohomish County is thriving and is a great place to live, work, play, and raise a family. We strive to not only provide a meaningful job, but a life-long career at Snohomish County.

Job Offers are contingent on successful completion of reference and background checks. Snohomish County will not sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa for this opportunity. In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States.

Snohomish County Human Services strives to be an equitable and trauma-informed department. Our department believes every interaction, procedure, and policy provides an opportunity to build a pathway toward a more resilient and restorative Snohomish County.

Please reach out to Joeann Turck at joe.turck@snoco.org with any questions regarding this job posting.

BASIC FUNCTION
Drawing from personal lived experience, provides peer support services to individuals in crisis working collaboratively with the Snohomish County Crisis Team to promote safety, well-being and resilience for clients in need.

Requirements

STATEMENT OF ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES

1. Accompanies a Snohomish County crisis team staff to provide a timely response to individuals needing voluntary crisis intervention services in community settings. Works closely with crisis team members to assess client needs, ensure safety, and develop actionable plans for immediate support.

Provides peer support to validate clients’ experience and to provide guidance and encouragement to clients to actively participate in their recovery.

Engages in active, supportive listening with clients.

Advocates for the client as needed and facilitates communication between clients, crisis team staff and other support services to create seamless care coordination.

2. Assists individuals in identifying and accessing community and natural supports, including mental health and substance abuse disorder treatment, peer support groups, and avenues to meet basic needs. Provides resources to the family/friends/natural supports of the client.

3. Assists other program staff in monitoring clients’ symptoms and behaviors and develops support plans with the team in which each client’s point of view and preferences are recognized and respected.

4. Provides follow up services aimed at establishing connection to additional services in person or by phone.

5. Maintains accurate and confidential records of client interactions adhering to ethical and legal guidelines as required.

STATEMENT OF OTHER JOB DUTIES

1. Performs other duties as assigned.
   
   
2. Completes other trainings as requested by supervisory personnel.
   
   
3. Attends and advocate for the needs and desires of clients in multidisciplinary team meetings.
   
   
4. Provides overdose prevention education and community outreach.
   
   

Qualifications

High School Diploma, GED or in active pursuit of diploma or GED.
Must be a Certified Peer Counselor, having completed the training, passed the exam and be in possession of the confirmation letter from DOH/HCA.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Experience as a Peer Counselor, preferred.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

• Lived experience with a behavioral health diagnosis, required.
• Valid Washington State driver's license and insurable driving record, required.
• Must pass a criminal background check.
  
  

Additional Information

KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES

Knowledge of:

• peer recovery philosophy and practice as it applies to those experiencing a behavioral health crisis
• cultural differences and special needs of various marginalized groups
• trauma informed care
• community resources including functions of other social service agencies
• vulnerable children and adult laws and similar rules and regulations

Ability to:

• develop and maintain effective professional work relationships and therapeutic relationships with clients
• Assists clients with symptom management and recovery by modeling wellness, personal responsibility, self-advocacy, and resiliency
• link clients to other external sources of help, when needed
• attend and participate in team meetings and supervision meetings
• ability to prioritize work
• ability to tolerate high levels of stress

SUPERVISION

Employees report to administrative superior as assigned. Employees work independently on specific assignments which are completed in accordance with established guidelines, practices and regulations. Work is reviewed through meetings, status reports and results obtained.

WORKING CONDITIONS

The majority of the work involves site visits to residences, hospitals and mental health agencies. Some work is performed in the usual office environment.

Snohomish County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer.
Accommodations for individuals with disabilities are provided upon request.
EEO policy and ADA notice