Peer Supervisor - HOST

About DESC

DESC (Downtown Emergency Service Center) is a nonprofit organization working to help people with the complex needs of homelessness, substance use disorders, and serious mental illness achieve their highest potential for health and well-being through comprehensive services, treatment, and housing. Our vision is a community where no person is abandoned, ignored, or experiencing homelessness.

As the region's leading provider of services to multiply disabled adults who have experienced chronic homelessness, DESC serves almost 3,000 people each day. Our integrated service model is designed to help people secure and maintain appropriate, safe and affordable housing. DESC is recognized nationally and regionally as an innovator in developing solutions to homelessness.

Days Off: Saturday, Sunday

Shift: Day

Insurance Benefits: Dental, Life, Long-term Disability, Medical (no premiums/payroll deductions for employee coverage)

Other Benefits: Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Flexible Spending Account (FSA), ORCA card subsidy, Paid Time Off (34 days per year), Retirement Plan

The Peer Supervisor is a key leadership role within the HOST (Homeless Outreach Stabilization and Transition) program. In conjunction with the HOST Project Manager, this position oversees all aspects of peer outreach and engagement, short-term peer services (including support for substance use, emotional regulation, mental health, and independent living skills), as well as contractual obligations such as timely completion of required reports and coordination with internal and external agencies to assure successful transition of consumers to ongoing care.

The Peer Supervisor will have lived experience as a Peer Specialist and preferably prior supervisory experience. They bring knowledge and first-hand insight from their recovery journey—whether from substance use, mental health challenges, emotional regulation, or independent living skills development—that enriches peer support services in a way professional training alone cannot replicate. They are well established in their own recovery and provide expertise to promote mind-body recovery and resilience.

The Peer Supervisor and Peer Specialists provide consultation to the HOST team to promote a culture in which each client s point of view and preferences are recognized, understood, respected, and integrated into treatment, recovery, and community self-help activities. Services will be provided primarily in Seattle, including on the streets, in shelters, hospitals, encampments, and other service centers as assigned. This position requires a high degree of coordination and collaboration with other DESC programs as well as outside agencies.

Supervisory

• Coordinate the work of HOST Peer Specialists conducting outreach to clients throughout Seattle.
• Assist the HOST Project Manager in planning, implementing, and coordinating short-term peer services within HOST.
• Provide supervision consistent with WAC 246-929 requirements for Certified Peer Support Specialists and Trainees, including:
• Biweekly supervision meetings (at minimum, unless client contact has not occurred).
• Oversight of documentation, ethical practice, and peer service delivery.
• Responsiveness to emergent participant needs within 48 hours.
• Ensure peer specialists in training (CPSS-T) within HOST receive appropriate oversight to complete the required 1,000 supervised hours and 12 minimum supervision meetings to achieve full certification.
• Participate in psychiatric consultations, clinical supervision meetings, program meetings, and in-service training for Peer Specialists; attend clinical reviews and case conferences as needed.
• Assess staff for strengths and training needs. Provide consultation, performance feedback, support, and ensure training opportunities.
• Facilitate team meetings to foster collaboration, peer leadership, and client-centered service delivery.
• Coordinate and schedule all aspects of peer services, including team coverage; review and authorize time sheets and submit them to payroll on time.
• Guide and participate in screening and assessment activities to ensure resources are prioritized for the target population.
• Plan and conduct quality assurance activities in coordination with the HOST Project Manager.
• Review team documentation to ensure records are complete, current, and compliant with DESC and county standards.
• Establish and maintain cooperative relationships with internal and external partners that provide resources needed by the client population.
• Screen referrals for eligibility and coordinate initial engagement efforts.
• Monitor contractual obligations and ensure staff awareness and compliance.
• Ensure accurate service data collection; assist with report writing in compliance with HOST contracts.
• Participate in program evaluation activities and DESC clinical committees as assigned.

Direct Service

• Carry a partial caseload providing outreach and short-term peer services when needed.
• Identify…