DSHS BHHA Peer Support Specialist - Behavioral Health Specialist

DSHS Peer Support Specialist - Behavioral Health Specialist 2

Are you passionate about supporting individuals on their journey to recovery? The Behavioral Health Treatment Center (BHTC) is looking for a full‑time and part‑time Behavioral Health Specialist 2 (formally Institutional Counselor
2) at the Maple Lane Campus in Grand Mound located in Centralia, WA.

As a Peer Support Specialist, you will have experience as a recipient of mental health services for severe or persistent mental illness and you are willing to use and share your personal, practical experience, knowledge, and firsthand insight with residents. This position will assist with navigation of resident recovery processes, be able to appropriately share your experiences with the residents, and coach residents to advocate for themselves regarding hygiene, employment, social skills, household duties, public transport, or other tasks deemed necessary by the treatment team.

The part‑time schedule is as follows:
Tuesday 8am‑4:30pm;
Wednesday 8am‑4:30pm and Thursday 8am‑12pm.

• Provide clients with expertise about the recovery process, symptom management and persistence required to lead a satisfying life.
• Set and maintain appropriate professional boundaries while balancing the sometimes‑conflicting demands of being both a peer to residents and an employee of Maple Lane Forensic Recovery Program (MLFRP).
• Provide guidance in constructing and encouraging residents to take responsibility and participate in their own wellness or recovery plan.
• Promote hope and empowerment with willingness to share your own experiences as appropriate, designed to help residents attain recovery goals, and maintain the highest possible level of independence, even during periods of instability.
• Maintain certification in Crisis Prevention Intervention facilitation (or other designated de‑escalation training appointed by BHA).
• Provide coaching, guidance and support from a strength‑based perspective in areas including transition services from hospital to community, supported companionship, money management and medical management.
• Collaborate with residents on awareness of resident rights, including grievance and complaint procedures; support residents with filing, mediating, and resolving complaints.
• Increase awareness of self‑help and consumer advocacy groups while acting as the liaison between community resources and such groups.
• Provide consultation to residents and families in areas of community resources, treatment planning and crisis intervention and substance abuse services.
• Educate residents to find and effectively use a primary care physician, dentist and other medical specialists as required.
• Other duties as assigned.

• Ability to maintain professional boundaries.
• Ability to advocate for residents and support treatment team decisions.
• Ability to work flexible hours.
• Ability to form trusting and reciprocal relationships.
• Experience working with people from diverse cultures.

• Satisfactory completion of two years of college, preferably with emphasis in one of the social sciences, and two years’ experience in a psychiatric or mental health, or health care setting.
• One year as a Behavioral Health Specialist 1.
• A Bachelor’s degree preferably involving major study in sociology or other social sciences.
• An equivalent combination of education and experience.

Must have or be able to obtain a DOH Peer Certification.

• An updated resume.
• Three professional references with contact information.

Questions? Please reach out to DSHS Recruiter sharon.sterling.gov or call Talent Acquisition main line  and reference job number 02030.

The Department of Social and Health Services’ vision that people find human services to shape their own lives requires that we come together with a sense of belonging, common purpose, shared values, and meaningful work. It is crucial to our agency’s vision that you bring a fairness, access, and social justice commitment to your work with DSHS. We strive to support all Washingtonians, including Black, Indigenous, and People of Color, people with physical, behavioral health, and intellectual disabilities,…