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 Recovery Navigator is to provide peer support, resource connections, and participant accountability specific to their recovery goals from a nonjudgmental, nondirective lens.
Primary Responsibilities
● Work directly with Program Director to establish guidelines, best practices, participant tracking, and expectations in the development and application of this new position
● Understand and ensure the Recovery Navigator Uniform Program Standards are met
● Ability to handle a minimum caseload of 20 participants
● Develop and maintain peer support with participants in the Recovery Navigator Program (RNP)
● Ensure participants are aware of resources and services that are available and discuss how participation could potentially benefit their recovery
● Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and respond to changing deadlines and priorities
● Troubleshoot barriers to participants accessing services
● Provide information on a timely basis and in a usable form to others who need to act on it
● Ensure that procedures are followed and clear detailed records are kept
● Engage participants through motivational interviewing and other techniques that help them identify opportunities for change that meet the goals specific to their definition of recovery
● Cultivate relationships with community partners
● Maintain clear communication with law enforcement and partner agencies
● Support the de-escalation and stabilization of participants when necessary and establish appropriate relationships with crisis services
● Work with and become knowledgeable about representatives across systems that impact participants including the healthcare system, the behavioral health system, the criminal justice system, etc.
● Attend all ongoing trainings offered to enhance the effectiveness of the role
Preferred Qualifications
● Lived experience with being unhoused, the criminal legal system, the mental health system, and/or other relevant systems that impact program participants
● A minimum of two years of experience in work related to peer support for behavioral health and/or outreach programs.
● Established relationships with local community-based organizations and/or law enforcement agencies.
● Previous experience working as a Certified Peer Counselor (CPC) 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 or other 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 Program Manager will be responsible for any additional tasks that are assigned by the Program Director.
Compensation
● Starting wage $32.00 - $35.31 per hour DOE
● 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.
● Two Personal Days if hired prior to February 8th, one Personal Day if hired on or after February 8th, three Personal Days per quarter thereafter. 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%.