Title: Peer Services Specialist – King County Library Systems (KCLS), Southcenter Library

Part / Full Time: Full Time – 40 hours/ week

Hourly / Salary: Hourly

Starting Pay Scale: $22.97 – $25.16

Reports to: Program Manager

Supervisory Role: No

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Candidates who identify with one or more of the following are STRONGLY encouraged to apply.

• Individuals with lived experience in mental health and/or substance abuse

• BIPOC identified individuals.

• LGBTQIA+ identified individuals.

• Veterans

 

Purpose/Vision/Mission

Peer Washington's purpose is to provide peer emotional support and development services to:

• Washington state residents impacted by temporary or chronic addiction, mental health and/or HIV/AIDS, or other sexually transmitted diseases.

• Target disparately impacted communities through site expansion operated as a dba of Peer Washington named for location and guided by a charter identifying the target community served.

• Maintain safe space for members identified as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, gender non-conforming, or other sexual minorities at all our locations regardless of the target community.

• Services shall be open to any person impacted by addiction, mental health, or HIV/AIDS; however, outreach for each site will be directed toward the community identified in the site charter.

• Our work is done in a spirit of safety, trust, inclusiveness, and celebration of individual differences.

Peer Washington envisions a community of peers connected by shared experience in compassionate support of one another.
 

General Summary

Peer emotional support is the foundation of the services provided by Peer Washington. The ability to discuss struggles and successes related to experiences shared by another individual promotes healing and compliments traditionally accepted professional services in the healthcare system. The role of the Peer Services Specialist is to work with individuals who are struggling with issues related to mental health and/or addiction challenges. The Peer Services Specialist will be an accountability partner to help members plan, evaluate, and maintain their recovery journey by engaging in a positive, supportive relationship. The Peer Services Specialist is also responsible for demonstrating and inspiring hope, trust, and a positive outlook and optimizing member connection with a broad range of community-based services and natural supports. 

 

Primary Responsibilities

• Work directly with the Program Manager to establish guidelines, best practices, patron tracking, and expectations in the development and application of this position.

• Work with members early in recovery from or struggling with mental health and/or addiction challenges to provide support and referral services.

• Maintain weekly contact with library patrons as applicable.

• Submit data and other reporting in a timely fashion.

• Develop relationships with community partners.

• Respond to all phone calls and emails within 1 business day.

• Act as a representative on behalf of Peer Community as needed with regards to community collaborations and events as assigned by the Program Manager. This includes reporting back to the Program Manager with updates and for direction on how to proceed with our involvement.

• Maintain clear communication with staff and volunteers. This includes keeping the Program Manager updated on weekly schedules and copied on all important communication.

• Attend on-going training programs offered to enhance effectiveness of role.

• See addendum for additional responsibilities.

Required Qualifications  

• Lived experience with housing instability.

• Identify as a peer with at least 1 year in remission.

• Comfort performing outreach to those who are unhoused or those in mental health and SUD recovery.

 

Additional Qualifications

• Experience as a recovery coach

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Additional Compensation

• Starting salary $22.97 - $25.16/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 May 8th, 2025. One personal day if hired on or after May 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%.

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If you are interested in applying for this position, please submit a cover letter and resume via INDEED.