Kitsap Mental Health Services Careers

Family Peer Support Specialist Collaborative Clinical Support Team

Full-Time, On-Site (includes community outreach)

Hiring Range: $22.90 – $28.05 Per Hour

This position follows a 92% compensation structure to align with the academic calendar year and scheduled working hours.

Benefits at a Glance 

• Comprehensive Coverage: Health, Dental & Vision 
• Generous Time Off Benefits: School Program staff (excluding Madrona Day Treatment) receive 8 weeks of vacation in the summer, plus scheduled school-year breaks (2 weeks in winter and 1 week in spring), and 80 hours of sick leave annually. (Pro-rated for part-time employees.)
• Fully Paid YMCA Membership for you and eligible family members
• Company-Paid Life & Disability Insurance 
• Student Loan Assistance & Professional Development 
• 403(b) Retirement Plan with Company Contributions 
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) 
• Pet Insurance 
• Free Wellness App (2MorrowHealth) 
• Collaborative, Supportive Team Environment 

At Kitsap Mental Health Services, we believe families are strongest when they have support, understanding, and someone who can walk alongside them through challenges. This role provides school-based and community-based peer support to parents, caregivers, children, and youth who are navigating behavioral health needs. Drawing from lived experience, the Family Peer Support Specialist helps families build skills, increase resilience, strengthen advocacy, and access the resources they need to achieve stability and success.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Provide peer support, encouragement, and mentorship to youth and their parents or caregivers.
• Share lived experience to promote hope, resilience, recovery, and family empowerment.
• Support families in developing behavior management strategies, coping skills, and wellness goals.
• Partner with clinical teams to help youth and families identify strengths and create meaningful goals.
• Assist families in navigating behavioral health, educational, healthcare, child welfare, and other community systems.
• Attend meetings with families as needed, including IEP meetings, court proceedings, FTDM meetings, and other service-related appointments.
• Help parents and caregivers strengthen self-advocacy skills and ensure their voices are heard in service planning.
• Connect families with community resources and support services.
• Build trusting relationships with youth and families through active listening, coaching, and ongoing support.
• Complete required documentation accurately and within established timeframes.
• Participate in supervision, team meetings, required trainings, and professional development activities.

Minimum Qualifications:

EDUCATION: High School Diploma or GED

EXPERIENCE: Experienced—minimum of two (2) years of job-related experience.

This position requires driving clients in a personal vehicle on behalf of the agency. The incumbent must meet all agency driving requirements, including being at least 21 years old, having been licensed for a minimum of three years, successfully completing a motor vehicle history check, possessing and maintaining a current, valid driver’s license in the state of Washington, and having reliable, insured transportation.

LICENSURE: Agency Affiliated Counselor Registration. Completion of the Washington State Mental Health Division’s Peer Counselor Training and the subsequent certification as a Peer Counselor within six months of employment. 

Preferred Qualifications:

EDUCATION: Associate’s degree in social work, psychology, or behavioral health field.

EXPERIENCE: Relevant experience working with individuals with mental health and behavioral health challenges, including those with severe and persistent mental illness.

Performance Requirements:

KNOWLEDGE

• Knowledge of current trends in community mental health, including health care reform and automation of job tasks using computer technology.
• Knowledge of mental health rehabilitation standards.
• Knowledge of the system of care and community resources.

SKILLS:

• Skill in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with other employees, clients, organizations, and the public.
• Strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage, inspire hope, and provide coaching to others.
• Communicates clearly and concisely.
• The ability to operate a personal computer, fax machine, printer, and copier proficiently.

ABILITIES

• Maintain appropriate professional boundaries while balancing the sometimes-conflicting demands of being both a peer to clients and an employee of the agency.  Seek appropriate clinical supervision where necessary, particularly around boundary issues.
• Meet productivity standards.
• Work cooperatively and collaboratively as a team member.
• Work effectively with diverse communities and populations, including children and families.

Worksite-Specific Requirements: 

WORKSITE #1: Kitsap County School Districts

REQUIREMENT: This position requires travel to sites throughout Kitsap County.

REQUIREMENT: No additional requirements for this worksite location.

Equipment Operated: Standard office equipment including computers, fax machines, copiers, printers, telephones, etc. Operation of a motor vehicle.

Work Environment: Office, community outreach, client homes.

Mental/Physical Requirements: While performing the essential functions of the job, the employee is required to:  

·          Sit, stand, and walk for extended periods.

·          Ascend and descend stairs and navigate indoor and outdoor environments safely.

• Lift, carry, push, and pull:
  • Up to 10 pounds (frequently)
  • Up to 20 pounds (occasionally) 
  • Up to 50 pounds (seldom) 

·          Safely participate in crisis intervention, including implementation of approved de-escalation techniques, in accordance with training and organizational policy.

·          Move quickly and respond to emergencies, including rapid repositioning or short-distance movement to maintain safety and physically evade attempts at assault.

·          Use hands and arms for reaching, handling, and manipulation, including reaching above shoulder level.

·          Have visual acuity sufficient to read written materials and observe surroundings. Peripheral vision to monitor clients and the environment.

·          Have hearing sufficient to communicate effectively and detect environmental and behavioral cues.

• Meet and maintain physical requirements demonstrated through agency-mandated training, including demonstration of ability to: maintain balance, twist torso, forward bend, pivot, sidestep, forward and backward step, and lift arms.

Our recruitment processes are designed to prevent discrimination against our people regardless of gender identity or orientation, religion, ethnicity, age, neurodiversity, disability status, citizenship, or any aspect which makes someone unique.