Peer Counselor – Housing Support Services

The Housing Support Services Case Manager/Certified Peer Specialist provides compassionate, client-centered support to individuals experiencing homelessness or at risk of becoming homeless, many of whom are living with substance use disorders, serious mental health conditions, or co-occurring disorders. This role delivers peer support, case management, and street outreach services, engaging clients through outreach efforts, walk-ins, and referrals while building trust and assessing needs. The specialist connects individuals to housing, employment, education, healthcare, and behavioral health resources, while also supporting the development of daily living skills, understanding of tenant rights and responsibilities, and resolution of challenges in housing or workplace settings. This position collaborates with landlords, employers, and community partners, including local shelters, and is responsible for maintaining accurate and timely documentation of all client interactions in electronic systems.

Responsibilities:Provide case management and peer support to individuals based on their self-identified goals by:

• Assisting participants with connection to shelters, transitional living arrangements, and/or permanent housing
• Assisting participants with applying for and attaining benefits related to cash assistance, medical insurance, SSI/SSDI, SNAP, and/or other entitlements participants qualify for.
• Assisting participants with connection to employment and education opportunities
• Assisting participants with transportation to longer-term support appointments such as primary care, MH treatment, SUD treatment, and/or but not limited to other agency/program support systems.
• Assisting participants with coordination alongside other providers, including SUD, MH, and housing opportunities
• Establish and maintain working relationships with partnering community agencies to assist with coordination of care for participants.
• Attend weekly individual supervision with Housing Support Services Program Manager and monthly group supervision with agency Mental Health Professional.
• Attend team and community meetings anchored in identifying participant needs and coordination.
• Provide outreach and engagement to homeless individuals needing access to care and offer support with connecting to substance use disorder support, mental health treatment, primary care, housing, shelter, employment, educations, and/or other benefits.
• Provide follow up and care to participants who either self-refer or are referred to HSSP programs from internal or external community providers.
• Attend and complete trainings identified by agency and Housing Support Services programs
• Document services provided in electronic medical record and data software
• Conduct landlord outreach to assist with building positive landlord/tenant relationships.
• Participate in peer audits every 90-days.
• Assist with processing rental subsidies when funding is available.

Perform other duties as assigned

Job Requirements:

The following requirements are those that are normally required for performance of this position. Any disabled applicant or incumbent who does not meet or more of the physical requirements, but who can perform the essential function of the job (with or without reasonable accommodations) shall be deemed to meet these requirements.

Physical Requirements:

This position normally requires that physical demands of standing, walking, bending, lifting or performing other work requiring low physical exertion, talking and hearing on a regular basis to perform the job requirements. These physical demands are required up to 80% of the time. Position also requires ability to drive with adequate vision and skill.

Non-Physical Requirements:

Education

• Bachelor’s degree preferred
• GED or High School Diploma Required

experience

• Self-identify as having lived experience as a recipient of mental health or substance use treatment services and be stable in recovery for at least one year

Special Skills

• Knowledge of Community Mental Health Systems and requirements
• Knowledge of community resources
• Excellent client and consumer communication skills
• Good verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to manage high detail administrative tasks
• Ability to work independently and as a team member
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) preferred, but not required
• Data entry and other computer skills
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Flexibility in scheduled work hours to accommodate evening hours as necessary

Licensure, Registration, Certification

• Valid Washington State driver’s license and required minimum liability insurance for WA State
• Must be deemed insurable as determined by Catholic Charities’ liability insurance provider
• Registered Agency Affiliated Counselor credential
• Certified Peer Support Specialist or Certified Peer Support Specialist Trainee credential from the Washington State Department of Health (may be obtained within 6 months of hire)

Employment is conditional upon:

• Being cleared by criminal background check and fingerprinting when required

Wage Range: $21 – $27 per hour, depending on experience
Work Schedule: Monday – Friday, 8 am to 5 pm
Benefits:

• 13 paid holidays, 12 days of vacation, 12 days of sick leave per year
• Health insurance including medical & prescription coverage, with optional dental and vision insurance plans. Majority of premiums paid by Catholic Charities
• Retirement 403(b) Plan: employee contributions commence upon employment; Catholic Charities contributes 2% of monthly income and matches up to 4% of employee contributions following 6 months of employment
• Basic Life Insurance paid 100% by Catholic Charities
• Flexible Spending Account eligibility following 6 months of employment
• Education Assistance Program reimbursing up to $5,250 per year for approved continuing education after 6 months of employment
• Additional voluntary insurances including supplemental life, accidental death & dismemberment (AD&D), critical illness, long term disability, accident, and ID theft
• Employee Assistance Program includes 3 counseling sessions per year, legal consultations, financial coaching, and other wellbeing tools
• Annual longevity awards begin at 5 years of employment

It is the practice of Catholic Charities to ensure equal employment opportunity without discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, citizenship status, marital status, creed, genetic predisposition or carrier status, sexual orientation, gender expression, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. Applicants from underrepresented backgrounds are encouraged to apply. We gladly offer reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities to support participation in the hiring process and employment.