Purpose/Vision/Mission
Peer Washington's purpose is to provide peer emotional support and development services to Washington state residents impacted by addiction, mental health issues, and/or HIV/AIDS or other sexually transmitted diseases. We target disparately impacted communities and maintain safe spaces for sexual minorities at all our locations. Services are open to anyone impacted by addiction, mental health issues, or HIV/AIDS, with outreach directed toward the community identified in each site charter. Our work embodies safety, trust, inclusiveness, and the celebration of individual differences.
Peer Washington envisions a community of peers connected by shared experience in compassionate support of one another.
General Summary
The Recovery Navigator Program provides peer support services to adults who intersect with law enforcement related to simple drug possession and/or have frequent contact with the criminal legal system because of unmet behavioral healthcare needs. The role of the Outreach Navigator is to meet potential participants in the field and discuss the opportunities to engage in recovery through this program. This may or may not involve a handoff from local law enforcement. The Outreach Navigator will provide trauma-informed peer support leveraging motivational interviewing skills to assist individuals in determining what their intrinsic needs are related to addiction recovery, provide resource connections when appropriate, and offer participant hand-off to a Recovery Navigator for long term peer support services.
Primary Responsibilities
● Work predominantly in the field as the first contact with potential participants.
● Provide in-the-field resources and referrals and limited peer coaching support.
● Ensure participants are aware of program resources and services available to them and how participation in this program could potentially impact their involvement in the justice system.
● Understand and ensure the Recovery Navigator Uniform Program Standards are met.
● Support de-escalation and stabilization of participants when necessary and establish appropriate relationships with crisis services.
● Provide information on a timely basis and in a usable form to others who need to act on it.
● Ensures that applicable procedures are followed, and that clear, detailed records are kept.
● Provide participants with a warm handoff to a Recovery Navigator.
● Work with, and become knowledgeable about, representatives across systems that impact participants including the healthcare system, the behavioral health system, and the criminal justice system, etc.
● Understand and utilize best practices with progressive engagement, trauma informed care, motivational interviewing, and other necessary skills suited to engaging potential program participants.
● Maintain clear communication with law enforcement and partner agencies.
● Attend all ongoing training programs offered to enhance the effectiveness of the role.
● Follow up with program participants in the community when there is an indication of disengagement.
● Support new guidelines, best practices, client tracking, and expectations in the development and application of this position.
Preferred Qualifications
● Lived experience with being unhoused, the criminal legal system, the mental health system, SUD treatment settings, and/or other relevant systems that impact program participants.
● A minimum of two years of experience in work related to peer support or outreach services to those impacted by behavioral health challenges.
● Established relationships with local community-based organizations, local government/courts, and/or law enforcement agencies.
● Previous experience working as a Certified Peer Counselor or willing to seek certification within 6 months of hire.
● Must be trained and certified as a peer recovery coach through Peer Washington within 6 months of hire.
● Spanish language skills.
● High school diploma or equivalent is preferred.
Additional Responsibilities
This posting is not intended to be an exhaustive list of responsibilities. In addition to the responsibilities listed above, the Outreach Navigator will be responsible for any additional tasks that are assigned by the Program Director.
Compensation
● Starting wage $32.00 - $35.31 per hour DOE.
● Bonus potential.
● Paid Vacation Time – 3 weeks per year, accrued at 4.615hrs per biweekly pay period, 120-hour maximum annual carryover.
● Paid Sick Time – 80 Hours per year, accrued at 3.077hrs per biweekly pay period, 480-hour maximum annual carryover.
● Three Personal Days per quarter beginning January 1, 2025. Personal days do not carry over from year to year, have no monetary value, and are forfeited upon employment separation.
● Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, AD&D, and Long-Term Disability; employee premiums covered by employer at 100% for employees.
● Simple IRA through Charles Schwab with an employer match of up to 3%
● Employee Assistance Program through Mutual of Omaha
● Work cell phone through AT&T
● Peer Washington covers the employee portion of Washington Unemployment and Paid Family Medical Leave at 100%.