Peer Counselor - Forensic Housing Program

Olympic Health and Recovery Services is a dynamic organization serving the most vulnerable in our communities. Join us in our mission to provide access to an effective, reliable safety net of behavioral health crisis and recovery support services throughout our region. We take pride in our staff that come to work with us and are seeking two Peer Specialists with a passion for supporting individuals experiencing mental health and/or substance use disorders in obtaining and maintaining housing.

The FHARPS Peer Support Specialist serves as part of the OHRS Forensic Housing and Recovery through Peer Services (FHARPS) team, providing peer counseling, advocacy, and housing case management to individuals involved in the forensic mental health system who are at risk of or currently experiencing houselessness. FHARPS offers voluntary, flexible, person-centered, recovery-focused housing support services for individuals whose competency to stand trial has been raised in court and for whom a need for housing-focused intervention has been identified. The role emphasizes housing stability through peer support, with a focus on improving access to and retention of housing.

Salary Range: $24.78 - $32.22 per hour. DOE

Schedule: Monday-Friday 8am-5pm or 8am-4:30pm

TMBH-ASO/OHRS provides comprehensive benefits for full-time employees including medical/dental/vision plan options (many with no employee paid monthly premium depending on plan choice, and dependent coverage options), and life insurance and disability insurance options. Eligible employees participate in WA State PERS retirement plans and employees may elect additional pre and post tax deferred compensation retirement options. Employees receive a PTO package earning a minimum of 140 hours annually and 12 paid holidays. Other tax deferred options include Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA), and Health Savings Accounts (HSA) .

OHRS is an approved Public Student Loan Forgiveness employer. We pay the fees for required DOH licenses for the position, and we offer annual professional development funds.

Find more information at www.tmbhcareers.org.

Brief Overview of Major Responsibilities

• Provide voluntary, non-clinical, person-centered, Housing First, recovery-focused housing support to program participants.
• Provide supportive navigation, advocacy, information, and coaching during enrollment or application processes.
• Share lived experience regarding housing insecurity and/or criminal justice involvement, overcoming barriers, modeling self-help and wellness activities to empower participants on their recovery journey, when appropriate.
• Conducts regular in-reach to local jails, hospitals, crisis facilities, court systems, and additional agencies to locate and/or (re)engage FHARPS participants.
• Complete intake paperwork and services in jails, in-patient psychiatric facilities, SUD treatment facilities, and in the general community to determine housing and service needs.
• Coordinates with other Trueblood projects to include Forensic Projects for Assistance in Transition from Homelessness (FPATH), Outpatient Competency Restoration Program (OCRP), the Forensic Navigators (FN), Crisis Housing Vouchers (CHV), and others to provide effective case management services and care coordination.
• Provide education and/or training to assist participants in acquiring skills that will maintain community stability and independence.
• Provides frequent contact with program participants from several times per day to once a week as needed.
• Provides case management services to FHARPS enrolled participants to include completing assessment of needs, developing a person-centered goal/service plan, supporting participant with achieving their goal/service plan, and connecting enrolled participants to resources and services focused on access to and retention in Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH)

Experience and Education

• Washington State Certified Peer Counselor (CPC) or Certified Peer Support Specialist (CPSS) is required.
• Washington State Dept of Health (DOH) Registered Agency Affiliated Counselor or Peer Support Specialist license is required.
• High School diploma or GED required.
• Experience working with individuals with behavioral health, substance, use, and criminal justice
• Two (2) years working as a peer counselor is preferred.
• Must have satisfactory background checks as required by state and federal contracts.
• Must be able to obtain clearance at Thurston County Jail, Mason County Jail, and Nisqually Jail
• Must have satisfactory Motor Vehicle Report. Valid Washington State driver's license and proof of insurance or have requested and obtained an appropriate accommodation.
• Knowledge and ability to utilize computer systems to include electronic health records system and Microsoft office Word, Excel, Outlook, and Teams.

Skills and Abilities

• Ability to navigate and access systems, resources and services related to emergency, transitional, supportive, and permanent housing.
• Ability to promote activities that foster recovery, self-efficacy, and empowerment.
• Ability to utilize the Recovery Model, Evidence Based Practices and effectively engage with program participants.
• Ability to navigate and access systems related to, but not limited to, food, cash, and other medical public benefits through Apple Health, DSHS, and Social Security Department.
• Ability to navigate and access systems, resources and services related to Behavioral health Services, medical and/or dental care, and basic needs.
• Ability to utilize various skills, methodologies, and approaches including motivational interviewing, trauma-informed care, harm reduction approach.
• Familiarity with trauma-informed care for people with complex needs.
• Knowledge of symptoms, common behavioral and social characteristics, and other manifestations of the behavioral health challenges affecting the population served.
• Knowledge of the various presentations of behavioral health related illnesses the participants may experience.
• Ability to work in high stress, high demand environment while communicating clearly and effectively.
• Ability to write clear and concise clinical documents, reports, and correspondence including documentation of all client interactions utilizing DAP style documentation within 24 business hours.
• Ability to work collaboratively utilizing strong written and verbal communication skills as part of a multidisciplinary team while respectfully managing differences, opposing perspectives, opinions, and interests.
• Ability to remain flexible and adaptable to change while maintaining effective time management skills.
• Knowledge of and ability to recognize compassion fatigue and the need for self-care.
• Strong critical thinking skills, ability to conceptualize and implement creative solutions.
• Promote and champion the values of partnership, teamwork, compassion and integrity in all dealings within and outside of OHRS.
• Familiarity and knowledge of best practices for alcohol/drug abuse treatment and prevention programs, mental health, and developmental disabilities programs as well as with local social service agencies.
• Ability to establish and maintain trusting and supportive relationships as well as provide inspiration and motivation to individuals transitioning towards recovery.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, as well as the ability to work with people of diverse backgrounds and/or cultures.
• Ability to work closely in a culture of teamwork, collaboration, and collegiality with program participants, other OHRS staff, and outside agencies.
• Ability to utilize a personal computer with applicable software to successfully perform essential job functions of the position including electronic health records system, email, word processing, spread sheet, analysis, information retrieval, and tracking.
• Ability to maintain flexibility and willingness to perform other tasks as assigned.
• Must have a strong commitment to the right and the ability of each person with a severe mental illness to live in within the community of their choice; work in market jobs; and have access to helpful, adequate, competent, and continuous supports and services. It is essential the peer specialist have skills and competence to establish supportive trusting relationships with persons with severe and persistent mental illnesses and respect for individuals’ rights and personal preferences in treatment is essential.

Working Conditions

• Primarily works in the community including jails, residential facilities, individual’s homes, and in an office environment.
• Conducts outreach in community-based settings and/or street encampments. Community- based setting are subject to weather conditions.
• Conducts in-reach to local jails, hospitals, crisis facilities, and court facilities.
• Regular use of fleet vehicles and/or personal vehicles may be required for service provision in the region including transportation of participants in fleet vehicles.
• Regular, in person, predictable attendance is necessary for participant support and team engagement.
• May require availability to work flexible hours.
• Dress is professional and appropriate for community-based settings.
• Moderate physical exertion is required. May be required to sit, stand, squat, walk short to moderate distances on uneven terrain, lift or move boxes/equipment weighing up to 25 lbs.
• Outreach may be performed in outdoor settings and subject to weather conditions.