Kitsap Mental Health Services Careers

Forensic Programs – Peer Support Specialist

FHARPS Program

Hiring Range: $20.07 - $24.58 Per Hour

Benefits: 

• Comprehensive Health & Wellness Coverage: Enjoy extensive health, dental, and vision benefits to support your well-being, with access to top-tier care and services.
• Generous Paid Time Off: Take advantage of up to 19 days of paid time off (PTO), plus 2 mental health days and 10 paid holidays in your first year, giving you the time you need to recharge and take care of yourself. (Pro-rated for part-time employees.)
• Company-Paid Life & Disability Insurance: We’ve got you covered with short-term disability, long-term disability, and life insurance, all provided at no cost to you, so you can feel secure in every situation.
• Student Loan Assistance & Professional Development: Benefit from student loan repayment assistance and a commitment to your growth with extensive training and development opportunities to advance your career.
• 403(b) Retirement Plan: Take control of your future with a wide range of investment options in our 403(b) plan. Depending on eligibility, you could also receive generous company contributions to help grow your retirement savings.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP): Access confidential support through our EAP, offering resources for personal and professional challenges, including counseling, financial advice, and more.
• Pets Best Pet Insurance: Keep your furry family members healthy with comprehensive pet insurance for your cats and dogs, covering a variety of treatments and services.
• 2MorrowHealth Behavioral Change App: Improve your mental and physical well-being with free access to 2MorrowHealth, a powerful app designed to support healthy behavior changes and wellness goals.
• Home Support Services: Whether you’re buying, selling, or refinancing, we offer valuable resources to assist with your home journey, helping you navigate the process with confidence.
• Dynamic, Collaborative Team Environment: Join an incredible team that thrives on collaboration, creativity, and support, where every voice is heard and every idea valued.

Bring your lived experience and passion for advocacy to Kitsap Mental Health Services as a Forensic Programs Peer Support Specialist. In this vital role, you’ll support individuals in the FHARPS program. Help clients overcome barriers to housing, behavioral health services, and community reintegration while promoting recovery and self-determination. As a Peer Support Specialist, you’ll leverage your personal experiences with mental health, housing instability, substance use, or legal involvement to inspire hope and empower clients. By promoting self-determination and recovery, you’ll help individuals achieve stability and independence, serving as both a mentor and advocate.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Use your lived experience to provide individualized peer support to clients in the FHARPS program.
• Assist clients in securing housing, employment, and essential resources to enhance their independence.
• Facilitate individual and group sessions, guiding clients through recovery-focused activities and the "Breaking Barriers" curriculum.
• Provide support for daily living skills such as personal hygiene, meal planning, and financial management.
• Act as a liaison between clients, team members, and community resources.
• Advocate for client rights and assist with resolving grievances or complaints.
• Participate in community integration efforts by helping clients access social, recreational, and self-help opportunities.
• Document client progress and maintain accurate, confidential records in accordance with agency policies.Assist in providing ongoing assessment and direct services to clients, responding to such challenges as an increase in suicidality, the need for substance abuse education and treatment, and the clients' readiness for meaningful daily activity, including employment.
• Provide practical help and supports to help clients gain access to health care services. As well as other necessary services such as legal services, housing subsidies, and funding alternatives.

Minimum Qualifications:

EDUCATION: High School Diploma or GED

EXPERIENCE: Entry level (no prior related work experience)

This position requires driving clients in a personal vehicle on behalf of the agency; therefore, the incumbent must meet agency driving requirements, including meeting the minimum age requirement of 21 years old, 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.

This position may require staff to enter the jail to engage with clients. The incumbent staff must be able to obtain jail access by passing background check annually.

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:

EXPERIENCE: Relevant experience working with clients with severe and persistent mental illness.

Capacity to work well with children and families.

Performance Requirements:

KNOWLEDGE:

1. Maintain a working knowledge of current trends in community mental health, including health care reform and automation of job tasks using computer technology.
2. Maintain a working knowledge of mental health rehabilitation standards.

SKILLS:

1. Skill in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with other employees, clients, organizations, and the public.
2. Communication ‑ Communicates clearly and concisely.
3. Computer skills - The ability to operate a personal computer, fax machine, printer, and copier proficiently.

Abilities:

Demonstrated ability to 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.

Demonstrated ability to meet or exceed productivity standards.

Ability to provide oral and written feedback on consumer progress to the treatment team, including the timely completion of e-cet based clinical notes.

Demonstrated ability to work cooperatively and collaboratively as a team member.

Equipment Operated: Standard office equipment including computers, fax machines, copiers, printers, telephones, etc.

Work Environment: Frequent mobility and/or sitting required for extended periods.

Mental/Physical Requirements: While performing the job duties, the employee is required to walk, sit, use hands and fingers, reach with arms, talk, or listen.  Peripheral vision is also required for this position.

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.