POSITION:
Certified Peer Residential Counselor
Full Time, Sunday – Thursday, 7 a.m – 2:30 p.m. (5 p.m. on Tuesdays for meeting)
General Position Summary: Peer Counselors are individuals who have experienced mental illness themselves and are on their own recovery journey. Peer Counselors are well grounded in their own recovery and model competency in ongoing coping skills. They help clients identify goals that promote recovery and assist them in identifying services and activities to help reach these goals. Assist adults in Greater Lakes’ residential programs to develop their skills for recovery and wellness. Focus on helping residents attain or resume their capacity for independent living, providing hope and motivation, as residents heal and develop resiliency. Provide counseling to help residents re-establish self-identity, sense of purpose and meaning in their lives, which may include developing plans for work, school, and/or volunteering, and making community connections. Help residents develop life skills, such as cooking, cleaning, money management, social skills and knowledge of symptoms and medications. Duties also involve general upkeep of the facility and documentation of the work that is done and of the progress of the residents.
General Functions / Competencies:
- Customer Service – Demonstrate a positive attitude and efforts toward meeting the needs of internal and external customers, employing ethical standards and the agency’s clinical models of care.
- Communication – Use English effectively to send and receive messages, oral and written, in a clear, positive, prompt, and appropriate manner.
- Teamwork – Demonstrate positive cooperation toward co-workers, supervisors, and organization goals.
- Dependability – Demonstrate good reliability in attendance, in meeting work deadlines, and in performing tasks.
- Adaptability – Demonstrate flexibility in responding to change and in working with diverse groups and individuals
Secondary Functions:
- Provide back-up to staff assigned to other sites as needed.
- Participate in weekly team meetings.
- Perform special projects as needed.
Minimum Requirements: To be employed as a Peer Counselor a person must:
- Self-identify as a consumer who is receiving or has received mental health services.
- Demonstrate that they have been well grounded in their own mental health recovery for at least one year.
- Pass a WA State criminal background check (no recent serious convictions).
- Be eligible to become a WA State Agency Affiliated Counselor after being hired.
- Be or commit to becoming Certified as a Peer Counselor by the State Division of Behavioral Health and Recovery within one year of employment, which involves completing specialized training approved by the State of WA and passing a written and oral State exam. The training and exam are free.
In addition, this position also requires the following knowledge and skills: knowledge of mental disorders and substance abuse issues, effective counseling skills, ability to assess and teach independent living skills, good interpersonal communication skills, and good computer-user skills. Prefer having reliable personal auto, driver’s license, good driving record, personal auto insurance, and ability to drive agency van. Prefer AA degree in social services related field and 1 year experience working with mentally ill consumers in a residential setting, or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Must have First Aid-CPR certificate and Food Handler’s card, and TB test annually.
Job Conditions: This position involves physical work in agency facilities and limited work in an office setting. Tasks include a wide variety from clinical work with residents to cleaning and general building and grounds upkeep. Requires eyesight and hearing to enable effective supervision of consumers throughout a facility. Also requires sufficient flexibility and lifting ability to perform a wide range of household-type custodial tasks, able to lift 30 pounds. Must be able to use stairs and walk on uneven terrain.
STARTING PAY:
$11.94 – 13.72/hour to start depending on qualifications.
BENEFITS: Full time benefits include fully-paid premiums for employee medical, dental, life and disability insurance; 3% contribution to 401(k) retirement plan; accrue 21 days of paid time off and 5 days long-term sick leave per year; 9 paid holidays; Flexible Spending Accounts; and Employee Assistance Program.
SUBMIT APPLICATION, LETTER & RESUME TO:
jobs@glmhc.org
Greater Lakes Mental Healthcare is committed to a policy of equal opportunity, equal treatment, and non-discrimination in all employment processes and other activities, in compliance with all relevant federal, state and local laws. If you need disability accommodation in the application/employment process, please call the ADA Coordinator/HR Department: (253) 620-5014 (voice); (253) 620-5218 (TDDY); (253) 620-5831 (FAX).
