About this opportunity
YMCA of Greater Seattle lists this Peer Counselor - Parent Partner opportunity in seattle, Washington. Review the employer’s description below for duties, qualifications and application requirements.
Job description
Overview
nOur 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.
nJob Summary
nProvides culturally competent, and strength-based peer support to families to decrease crisis, increase in-home stabilization, and assist families in decreasing negative contact with law enforcement and the juvenile justice system. Identifies natural supports and coaches parent/caregiver skills to effectively navigate community resources to meet priority needs. Provides services in client homes, schools or other convenient community locations. The goals of Parent Partner Peer Support include identifying parenting resources and supports, coaching parents/caregivers to effectively and peacefully resolve conflict in the home, and assist in navigating systems that impact family, such as the educational system, mental health, substance use, or juvenile justice. Collaborates effectively with co-workers, supervisors, outside professionals and others involved in delivering care to meet safety plan needs and action plan goals. This may include collaborating with law enforcement with the goal of reducing harm to youth and family. Supports the family and acts as a bridge between the youth, family and system representatives. Willing to self-identify as a parent. Because of life experience, such persons have expertise that professional training cannot replicate.
nThis position is at the Social Impact Center Y, the social services branch of YMCA of Greater Seattle (YGS). The mission of the Social Impact Center Y is to accelerate young people’s ability to build safe, successful, and happy lives. Every year, we serve 5,000 children, youth, young adults, and families across King County with programs that 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; ensuring stability, safety and wellness in times of crisis; and building competencies and social capital. The Social Impact Center Y’s programs include housing, behavioral health, foster care licensing, violence prevention, education, and employment. Many of the young people we serve have had involvement in the foster care, criminal justice system, and/or homelessness systems. MRSS (Mobile Response Stabilization Services team) serves families in crisis throughout King county. It is a free program to youth 3-18 y/o. Families and youth participate voluntarily. Their participation is private and MRSS adheres to HIPPA privacy & consent policies.
nPosition Type/Expected Hours of Work
nThis is a full-time position consisting of four 10-hour shifts (8am–6pm), Sun–Wed or Wed–Sat, including occasional evenings as needed to meet program and participant needs. This position will have one variable base location, but will be required to respond to shift coverage and outreaches in all regions of King County.
nWhat you'll get from working at The Y
nnnMembership to the YMCA of Greater Seattle for you and your household
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nnMedical, Dental, Vision, and Life insurance
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nnRetirement with 12% employer contributions after 2 years of services - see Y Retirement for more information . ( Other Savings plans available upon hire.
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nnFree access to mental health resources
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nnRapidly accruing paid time off (PTO)
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nnDiscounts on qualifying YMCA of Greater Seattle childcare, day camp, overnight camp and outdoor leadership programs. 25% for part-time staff, 50% for full-time staff.
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nnDirect care staff in the Social Impact Center receive monthly personal Wellness days in addition to existing PTO and Paid Holiday benefits
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n nnSome benefits only available to full-time staff
n nHiring Range:
nPre-Certified Peer Counselor : Hiring Range: $22.00 – 24.00/hr
nCertified Peer Counselor : Hiring Range: $24.00 – 27.00/hr
n** Required qualifications listed below
nResponsibilities
nnnProvides both immediate and scheduled community outreach services to families in South King County - Auburn and additional coverage as needed.
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nnFlexes schedule to include evenings and possible weekends to meet the needs of families.
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nnAssist parent/caregiver in developing self-determination and empowerment skills through self-advocacy.
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nnIdentify family stresses, instability and provide appropriate support.
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nnIdentifies community resources and natural supports and works with the parent/caregiver to effectively navigate resources.
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nnCollaborates effectively with co-workers, supervisors and outside professionals to create and meet action plan goals.
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nnWorks with families to build their own “Child & Family Team”. Attends wrap around and other team meetings to support youth and ensure that their voice is heard. Acts as a role model for effective coping techniques and self-help strategies.
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nnMaintains a working knowledge of current trends and developments in behavioral health.
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nnCompletes required documentation within program deadlines.
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nnReports all critical incidents and adheres to YMCA program rules and procedures.
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nnAssess and create safety plans to meet immediate safety and stabilization needs
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nnCustomize helping approaches to fit the family’s uniqueness, personality, culture and interest
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nnReassure and communicate hopefulness so clients know, “they are not in this alone.”
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nnWilling and able to self-identify as a person who has lived experience i.e. has or is receiving mental health services and/or interactions with the juvenile court system
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nnArticulates own Lived experience and resilience stories in ways that are relevant to the obstacles faced by the youth
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n nnReasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
n nCode of Conduct for Applicants (
nAll employees and volunteers are responsible for adhering to abuse prevention policies, maintaining appropriate boundaries , completing required training, reporting suspicious or inappropriate behavior, and complying with mandated reporting requirements.
nResponsible for ensuring staff are properly screened, trained, supervised and held accountable to the organization’s abuse risk management standards.
nQualifications
nnnMUST have personal experience as a parent or legal guardian to a child or youth who has experienced any of the following challenges and/or systems: mental/behavioral health needs, developmental delays, substance use, domestic violence, trauma, housing or food insecurity, trafficking, institutional and systemic racism, sexism, classism, transphobia, homophobia, ableism, foster care, family court, emotional, physical, and sexual abuse, etc.
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nnAbility to work independently and as a part of a team
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nnAbility to effectively communicate with others
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nnAbility to effectively use virtual platforms, such as Zoom and Microsoft Teams, to communicate with team and youth and families.
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nnAbility to set priorities and manage time effectively
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nnAbility to use a computer and work with Microsoft Windows Outlook and electronic health records data system.
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nnTrained in and familiar with recovery model and able to assist families and youth to focus on their strengths, utilize their voice and partner with their team.
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nnDemonstrated ability to engage youth and their families in a structured process to verbalize their needs, develop an individualized care plan, and transition to reliance on natural supports.
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nnKnowledge of community services and resources including: support groups, mental health, substance abuse, child welfare, juvenile justice, developmental disabilities, special education programs, etc.
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nnExperience with crisis de-escalation and crisis stabilization practices.
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nnThe 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
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nnWA State Peer Counselor Certification preferred and required within one year of employment.
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nnPossession of a high school diploma or equivalence preferred
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nnPossession 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.)
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nnKnowledge of and previous experience with, diverse populations and ability to speak another language in addition to English strongly preferred.
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nnCurrent State-approved first aid certification, state-approved CPR certification, BBP (HIV/AIDS) training certification.*
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nnWashington State Agency Affiliated Counseling Credential.**
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n nPre-Certified Peer Counselor:
n• WA State Certified Peer Support Specialist Trainee or Certified Peer Support Specialist credential required within one year of employment.
nCertified Peer Counselor:
n• WA State Certified Peer Support Specialist Trainee or Certified Peer Support Specialist required within 30 days of employment.
n*Within 30 days of employment or first available training.
n**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.
nAuthorized Driver Preference:
nThis role has the potential to transport clients as an “authorized driver” for the YMCA of Greater Seattle (YGS) using an employer-provided vehicle. Driving duties for this role are optional, but preferred.* Driving roles are safety-sensitive . To become an authorized driver, you must be 21+, have possessed a driver's license for at least 3 years, and pass a drug screen that will test for impairing substances (including marijuana) in addition to meeting the driving record standards below:
nYGS Driving Record Standards
nWithin the last three (3) years: No more than two (2) vehicle related suspension(s) and/or reinstatement(s). No more than two (2) moving violations and/or accidents. Moving violations include, but are not limited to, the following:
nnnSpeeding
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nnImproper Lane Change
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nnFailure to Yield in Right-of-Way
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nnFailure to Obey Traffic Signal
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nnFailure to obey Traffic Sign
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n nWithin the last five (5) years: No Major Violations which include, but are not limited to, the following:
nnnDUI, DWI, OUI, OWI, BUI (Boating), Administrative Per Se, or Refusing to Test
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nnDriving with an open container of alcohol
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nnReckless Driving
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nnHit and Run – property damage only (Incidents involving injury fall under Permanent Disqualification)
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nnRacing
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nnDriving with a suspended/revoked license/insurance
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nnSpeeding over 20 mph
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nnFleeing and/or eluding police
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nnAny other felony driving conviction(s)
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n nDriving records that result in Permanent disqualification from driving duties:
nnnMore than 3 DUI, DWI, OUI, OWI, BUI, Administrative Per Se, or Refusing to Test for entirety of driving history.
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nnMore than 3 Driving with a suspended/revoked license
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nnHit and Run resulting in bodily injury or death
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nnManslaughter/felony death by motor vehicle
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n n*Due to state-specific reporting requirements in our driver management system, we are not currently able to enroll California Driver's License holders as Authorized Drivers.
nReliable Transportation Requirement
nThis role requires you to have access to reliable transportation to be able to meet clients out in the community, including locations that may not be easily accessible by public transportation.
nYou'll be a great fit for the Seattle Y if you:
nnnThrive on working in a collaborative environment.
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nnAre very adaptable.
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nnHave high ownership and strong work ethic.
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nnAre a great problem solver who can think on your feet.
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nnTruly enjoy being of service to people.
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nnLike being part of a team that cares about one another as people and enjoy working together.
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nnWant to know that the work you do contributes to building a better, stronger community for all.
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n nOUR MISSION
nBuilding a community where all people, especially the young, are encouraged to develop their fullest potential in spirit, mind, and body.
nOUR VALUES
nnnRespect
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nnResponsibility
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nnHonesty
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nnCaring
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nnPassion for Excellence
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n nYGS 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.
nWe are a drug & alcohol-free workplace. We participate in the Federal E-Verify system. All job offers are contingent on the results of a background check.
nIf you need assistance of any kind with the application process, reach out to
Worksite address
seattle, WA, 98127, US
Who can apply
Review the original listing for work authorization, qualifications and employer requirements.