Title:                                  Peer Services Specialist – King County Library Systems (KCLS) – Bellevue Library

Part/Full Time:                 Full Time – 40 hours/week (starting schedule Tuesday and Wednesday 11-7 pm, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday 10-5 pm)

Hourly/Salary:                  $22.97 - $25.16 / hour

Reports to:                       Program Manager

Supervisory role:              No

​

Candidates who identify with one or more of the following are STRONGLY encouraged to apply:  

• Have lived experience with mental health and/or substance abuse in long-term stable recovery 

• BIPOC identified individuals 

• LGBTQIA+ identified individuals 

• Veterans 

​

Purpose/Vision/Mission

Peer Washington’s purpose is to provide peer emotional support and development services to:

• Washington state residents impacted by temporary or chronic addiction, mental health, and/or HIV/AIDS or other sexually transmitted diseases.

• Target disparately impacted communities through site expansion operated as a dba of Peer Washington named for location and guided by a charter identifying the target community served.

• Maintain safe space for members identified as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, gender non-conforming, or other sexual minorities at all our locations regardless of the target community.

• Services shall be open to any person impacted by addiction, mental health, or HIV/AIDS; however, outreach for each site will be directed toward the community identified in the site charter.

• Our work is done in a spirit of safety, trust, inclusiveness, and celebration of individual differences.

Peer Washington envisions a community of peers connected by shared experience in compassionate support of one another.

Peer Washington’s mission is to cultivate powerful, healthy lives by providing peer emotional support and development services to those impacted by addiction, mental health and/or HIV/AIDS.

​

General Summary

Peer emotional support is the foundation of the services provided by Peer Kent.  The ability to discuss struggles and successes related to experiences shared by another individual promotes healing and compliments traditionally accepted professional services in the healthcare system.  The role of the Peer Services Specialist is to work with individuals who are struggling with issues related to mental health and/or addiction challenges. The Peer Services Specialist will be an accountability partner to help members plan, evaluate, and maintain their recovery journey by engaging in a positive, supportive relationship. The Peer Services Specialist is also responsible for demonstrating and inspiring hope, trust, and a positive outlook and optimizing member connection with a broad range of community-based services and natural supports.

Primary Responsibilities

• Work directly with the Program Manager to establish guidelines, best practices, client tracking, and expectations in the development and application of this position.

• Work with members early in recovery from or struggling with mental health and/or addiction challenges to provide support and referral services.

• Provide intake services and case management for service contracts.

• Maintain weekly contact with assigned clients.

• Submit data and other reporting in a timely fashion.

• Develop relationships with community partners.

• Respond to all phone calls and emails within 1 business day.

• Act as a representative on behalf of Peer Kent as needed with regards to community collaborations and events as assigned by the Program Manager.  This includes reporting back to the Program Manager with updates and for direction on how to proceed with our involvement.

• Maintain clear communication with staff and volunteers.  This includes keeping the Program Manager updated on weekly schedules and copied on all important communication.

• Attend on-going training programs offered to enhance effectiveness of role.

• See addendum for additional responsibilities.

The goals for the first year: 

• First 30 days:

  • Complete all required onboarding for Peer Kent, ongoing processes including timecards, individual goals, monthly reports, performance evaluations, and related documentation. This should include participation in regular and ongoing staff meetings and supervision.  

  • Establish a relationship with site specific library staff and community partners.

  • Establish beginning relationships with library patrons.

  • Familiarize yourself with library and Peers in Libraries resources and their tracking.

  • Familiarize yourself with tracking requirements through Smartsheet.

  • Review appropriate communication channels between Peer Washington supervisors, KCLS administration, and KCLS site staff.

  • Submit monthly reports re: membership, intake, volunteers, and financial/expense records.

• First 6 months:

  • Complete a training plan that includes, at a minimum, the following training: Certified Peer Counselor, Recovery Coach Academy (CCAR), Blood Borne Pathogens, CPR, etc.

  • Develop familiarity with frequently utilized resources in the surrounding community.

  • Develop relationships with library patrons.

  • Develop community partnerships and identify appropriate outreach opportunities.

  • Make recommendations for programming responsive to assigned library and surrounding community.

• Ongoing:

  • Work directly with your supervisor to establish guidelines, best practices, tracking, and expectations in the development and application of this relatively new position.

  • Provide exceptional experiences for all members and guests, modeling Peer Recovery values, including welcoming, screening, engaging, and referrals.

  • Maintain positive relationship with community partners.

  • Coordinate Peer Services with Peer Kent Program staff for Peer Kent members, including groups, peer resources support, peer coaching, training, rentals, and event coordination.

  • Maintain a positive and supportive work environment that aligns with the Peer Kent Charter and Vision for the Peer Kent team including open communication, trauma-informed peer support, and positive, empathetic regard for others.

  • Act as a representative on behalf of Peer Kent as needed with regard to community

              collaborations and events as assigned by the Program Director. This includes reporting back to the Program                          Director with updates and for direction on how to proceed with your involvement.

• Complete all agency required training as assigned by both Peer Kent and pursue continued professional and program development and training relevant to your professional role.

• Continue familiarization with Peer Kent and all Peer Washington sites, including all Policy and Procedures, and develop a clear understanding of the specific Peer Kent vision, goals, systems and processes and all Peer Kent Services.

​

Minimum Qualifications

• Lived experience with housing instability

• Identify as a peer with at least 1 year in remission

• Comfort performing outreach to those who are unhoused or those in mental health and SUD recovery

• Fully vaccinated for Covid-19.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience as a recovery coach

​

To apply, please send your cover letter and resume to wilder@peerkent.org. Resumes and cover letters will be reviewed on a rolling basis.