PEER COUNSELOR (YOUTH PARTNER)

MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THE LIFES OF YOUTH & FAMILIES

OLYMPIA AREA! 

OUR CLINICAL TEAMS WORK IN THE HOMES OF FAMILIES AND IN THE COMMUNITY; PLUS, IN AN OFFICE SITE

Catholic Community Services, Family Behavioral Health is looking for a Peer Counselor (Youth Partner) to join our team of innovators who explore and develop new approaches and implement novel strategies.  Our teams provide individualized, creative and flexible services, infused with evidence-based and evidence-informed strategies.  

WHO WE ARE: 

We are a values-driven organization, providing family-oriented behavioral health care for children, youth and families, provided primarily in their own home and community. Our enthusiastic clinical teams provide whatever is needed to help children and youth remain safely in their own home with their family, restoring hope, providing intense mental health services and supports, and helping to strengthen the family unity. With sites located in Tukwila, Burien, North Tacoma, University Place, Olympia, Shelton, Bremerton, Aberdeen, Yelm, Vancouver, (Salmon Creek and Oakview) and Portland Oregon, we offer comprehensive intensive, Wrap-around mental health services to a diverse population for youth and families. We employ almost 600 energetic and compassionate employees.

WHAT WE VALUE: 
Compassion  Diversity  Strength-Based-Approach  Social-Justice & Our Staff!

WHAT WE OFFER: 

• Excellent starting pay range: $23.62- $25.39 per hour
• First Responder pay may be available for coverage after hours: $75.00 per pay period (2 times per month)
• Ability to earn additional pay: based on performance

BENEFITS:  

• 12 paid holidays; plus 1 personal holiday each year!
• 15 days’ vacation per year
• 12 sick-days per year
• Medical
• Dental
• Vision Insurance
• Life Insurance (1 times annual salary)
• Retirement Plans: 403-B Employee Savings Plan and an Employer Contribution Pension 
• Relocation assistance                                                                                                                                       

Training and Supervision:

• Extensive training (i.e. WISe, De-Escalation, etc.)
• Daily supervision and support, as needed

We strive to help children and families live together safely and securely with hope and promise.  We serve as a catalyst for change when appropriate, challenging long-standing service traditions in community behavioral health.  We behave with Humility, Passion for our Mission, and Compassion and Respectful Interactions.   We value learning and offer alternatives and we stand strong to help child-serving systems understand our alternative paradigm while strengthening partnerships. We do not compromise our values.

Peer Counselors (Youth Partners) are individuals with personal history as a youth/child who has been a recipient of behavioral health, child welfare, complex medical coordination or juvenile justice services who use that personal experience in building support with families.  Successful applicants must have first person experience as a youth who received system services and prepared to disclose their personal experiences with youth, parents and others. 

JOB SUMMARY:

Peer Counselors (Youth Partners) collaborate, provide support and help facilitate services for youth and their families receiving Family Behavioral Health Services.  Working as a member of a team, the Youth Partner helps a youth voice their own perspective and assure that other team members are able to understand their perspective and use that perspective in treatment planning.  This position helps youth, parents and families achieve confidence in their abilities to team on a recovery journey and maintain hope for their success after formal behavioral health services have been completed.

Emphasis is on achieving incredible outcomes with children, youth and families by actively partnering with them along with their natural and community services and supports to achieve long term safety and stability in our neighborhoods and communities. 

This position will be based out of FBH Olympia/Shelton/Yelm office, designated site(s) will be communicated by FBH Olympia leadership team. This position requires scheduling flexibility to meet the needs of youth and families served. The services we offer will be provided in community-based settings and in family homes.

A full job description with qualifications may be shared with candidates identified for an interview. 

WHAT WE ARE SEEKING IN A CANDIDATE:

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Age 21 or older.
• Personal (lived) experience as a child who has received community / mental health services within the past ten years  
• Ability to work independently and as a member of a team.
• Demonstrates the necessary attitudes, knowledge and skills to deliver culturally competent services and work effectively in multi-cultural situations.
• Preference for a flexible schedule rather than a traditional, fixed 8-5, Monday through Friday, facility-based position.
• Demonstrate the necessary attitudes, knowledge and skills to deliver culturally competent services and work effectively in multi-cultural situations.
• Must be able to driver to youth and family homes and in the community, have reliable transportation, valid driver’s license, automobile insurance and provide current auto registration per CCS policy.
• Must have an acceptable driving record per CCS’ driving policy (required to provide current driving abstract).
• Applicant must successfully pass required background clearances prior to an offer of employment.
• Support and uphold the mission, beliefs and values of Catholic Community Services and Catholic Housing Services.

ABOUT OLYMPIA: 

With economic engine anchored by state government, Olympia enjoys the benefits of a stable workforce, engaged and educated community, with well-supported top-notch schools and higher education. Enjoy all the area has to offer:

• Olympia, "handcrafted" is a way of life. People are intentional and passionate for their craft. Local makers create one-of-a-kind experiences for visitors to enjoy form artisan cheese and fresh apple cider to handmade saps and intricate illustrations. And must not forget, the talented chefs as well as skilled roasters of fair-trade coffee, brewers of handcrafted ales and a maker’s of very fine wines. 
• From the local waters of the Puget Sound, to the many hidden inlets, rivers and lakes, the Olympia region is a waterfront paradise. Boardwalks are boundless in Olympia and can make you feel (almost) like walking on water. Olympia has over 40 parks available for your recreation enjoyment.  

If you are passionate about providing strength-based mental health services for children, youth and their family, we would love to hear from you!

If you are on our careers page and you are interested in being considered for this opening: please click on the blue link above, on this page, located on the upper right hand corner that says: "Apply for this job online" and upload your resume and answer a few questions for consideration. 

If you are not on our careers page: please copy and paste the following URL into your browser: https://fbh-ccsww.icims.com/jobs/intro to view our opportunities. Search for your jobs of interest and click on the blue link on the careers page, located on the upper right-hand corner that says: "Apply for this job online" and upload your resume and answer a few questions for consideration. 

For additional questions, contact Karla Lacktorin, Regional Clinical Recruiter, at karlal@ccsww.org 

Note to Internal Candidates: HR reviews internal compensation and determines any increase based on their experience and also agency internal equity factors.

Catholic Community Services and Catholic Housing Services is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Please let us know if you need special accommodations to apply or interview for this position.