Peer Counselor - Housing Support Services

Peer Counselor – Housing Support Services

Join to apply for the Peer Counselor – Housing Support Services role at Catholic Charities Serving Central Washington

The Housing Support Services Case Manager/Certified Peer Specialist, with support from Team Lead and under the supervision of the Housing Support Services Program Manager, assists and provides Peer Support, Case Management and Street Outreach. Those served are individuals struggling with identified Substance Use Disorders, Serious Mental Health Illness, and Co‑Occurring disorders who are also homeless or at imminent risk of becoming homeless.

This position engages clients through street outreach, walk‑ins, referrals, and self‑referrals. The role involves building rapport, screening for program placement, and offering case management and peer support to connect individuals with services such as housing, employment, education, health care, and mental health or substance use services. Additionally, the position supports participants with Activities of Daily Living, tenant/employee/neighbor practices, Fair Housing Rights, and resolving challenges in their homes or workplaces.

The Case Manager/Certified Peer Specialist also collaborates with landlords, employers, and local shelters, while documenting all encounters in our electronic systems.

Attain Washington State Health Care Authorities Peer Specialists Certification.

• 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, mental health treatment, substance use disorder treatment, and other agency/program support systems.
• Assisting participants with coordination alongside other providers, including SUD, MH, and housing opportunities.
• Establishing and maintaining working relationships with partnering community agencies to assist with coordination of care for participants.
• Attending weekly individual supervision with Housing Support Services Program Manager and monthly group supervision with agency Mental Health Professional.
• Attending team and community meetings anchored in identifying participant needs and coordination.
• Providing outreach and engagement to homeless individuals needing access to care and offering support with connecting to Substance Use Disorder support, Mental Health Treatment, Primary Care, Housing, shelter, employment, education, and/or other benefits.
• Providing follow‑up and care to participants who either self‑refer or are referred to HSSP programs from internal or external community providers.
• Attending and completing trainings identified by agency and Housing Support Services programs.
• Documenting services provided in electronic medical record and data software.
• Conducting landlord outreach to assist with building positive landlord/tenant relationships.
• Participating in Peer Audits every 90 days as directed by HSSP Team Lead and Program Manager.
• Assisting with processing rental subsidies when funding is available.
• Performing other duties as assigned.

• Physical Requirements: Standing, walking, bending, lifting or performing other work requiring low physical exertion, talking and hearing on a regular basis up to 80% of the time; ability to drive with adequate vision and skill.
• Non‑
  
  Physical Requirements:
  
  (None specified).
• 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.
• 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;…