Peer Counselor

Our Commitment to Equity
The Y actively promotes a culture free from bias and injustice. We are dedicated to removing institutional and systemic barriers that result in oppression and racism. We will be accountable to marginalized communities for creating equitable and sustainable environments where social justice is woven into every facet of our programs, and by caring for our communities in a culturally versatile and respectful manner.

Job Summary

You will provide culturally competent, and strength-based peer support to youth and their families to decrease crisis and increase in-home stabilization by identifying support and teaching  youth skills to effectively navigate community resources to meet their needs.  You will be providing services in client homes, schools or other convenient community locations. The goals of Youth Peer Support include supporting youth empowerment, assisting youth in developing skills to improve their overall functioning and quality of life.  You will collaborate with co-workers, supervisors, outside professionals and others involved in delivering the youth’s care to meet safety plan needs and action plan goals, acting as a bridge between the youth, family and system representatives.  

This position is at the Social Impact Center Y, the social services branch of YMCA of Greater Seattle (YGS). The mission of the Social Impact Center Y is to accelerate young people’s ability to build safe, successful, and happy lives. Every year, we serve 5,000 children, youth, young adults, and families across King County with programs that aim to strengthen young people’s ability to develop to their fullest potential through four strategies: reducing risk factors; navigating systems towards successful life transition; ensuring stability, safety and wellness in times of crisis; and building competencies and social capital. The Social Impact Center Y’s programs include housing, behavioral health, foster care licensing, violence prevention, education, and employment. Many of the young people we serve have had involvement in the foster care, criminal justice system, and/or homelessness systems.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work 

This is a full-time position with expected hours of Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm.

What you'll get from working at The Y

• Membership to the YMCA of Greater Seattle for you and your household 

• Medical, Dental, Vision, and Life insurance 

• Retirement with 12% employer contributions after 2 years of services - see Y Retirement for more information. Other Savings plans available upon hire. 

• Free access to mental health resources 

• Rapidly accruing paid time off (PTO) 

• Discounts on qualifying YMCA of Greater Seattle childcare, day camp, overnight camp and outdoor leadership programs. 25% for part-time staff, 50% for full-time staff. 

• Direct care staff in the Social Impact Center receive monthly personal Wellness days in addition to existing PTO and Paid Holiday benefits 

* Some benefits only available to full-time staff 

Hiring Range:  

Pre-Certified Peer Counselor: Hiring Range: $22.00 – 24.00/hr 

Certified Peer Counselor: Hiring Range: $24.00 – 27.00/hr 

**Required qualifications listed below 

• Provides both immediate and scheduled crisis outreach services to families in South King County (Auburn, Kent, and Federal Way) and additional coverage as needed
• Flexes schedule to include evenings and possible weekends to meet the needs of families.
• Assist youth in developing self-determination and empowerment skills through self-advocacy.
• Identify youth stresses, instability and provide appropriate support.
• Identifies community resources and natural supports and works with the youth to effectively navigate resources.
• Collaborates effectively with co-workers, supervisors and outside professionals to meet action plan goals.
• Transports youth to appointments, meetings, or other locations as needed to support the action plan and linkage to community resources.
• Works with families to build their own “Child & Family Team”. Attends wrap around and other team meetings to support youth and ensure that their voice is heard.   Acts as a role model for effective coping techniques and self-help strategies.
• Maintains a working knowledge of current trends and developments in behavioral health.
• Completes required documentation within program deadlines.
• Reports all critical incidents and adheres to YMCA program rules and procedures.

*Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

Code of Conduct for Applicants 

All employees and volunteers are responsible for adhering to abuse prevention policies, maintaining appropriate boundaries, completing required training, reporting suspicious or inappropriate behavior, and complying with mandated reporting requirements.  

Responsible for ensuring staff are properly screened, trained, supervised and held accountable to the organization’s abuse risk management standards. 

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• Minimum age of 21 years
• Lived experience in receiving services as a youth in complex, child serving systems (juvenile justice, behavioral health, child welfare, special education preferred) and is prepared to use that experience in helping others

• Other applicable education, training, and experience, which provide the knowledge, abilities, and skills necessary to perform effectively in the position will be considered.

• Ability to work independently and as a part of a team
• Ability to effectively communicate with others
• Ability to set priorities and manage time effectively
• Ability to use a computer and work with Microsoft Windows Outlook and electronic health records data system.
• Trained in and familiar with recovery model and able to assist families and youth to focus on their strengths, utilize their voice and partner with their team.
• Demonstrated ability to engage youth and their families in a structured process to verbalize their needs, develop an individualized care plan, and transition to reliance on natural supports.  
• Knowledge of community services and resources including: support groups, mental health, substance abuse, child welfare, juvenile justice, developmental disabilities, special education programs, etc.
• Experience with crisis de-escalation and crisis stabilization practices.   
• The following physical and mental abilities are required: frequent lifting or carrying up to 15 pounds, must be able to hear, frequent standing/walking going up and down stairs due to community outreach basis, ability to communicate effectively in person and/or phone, the ability to read, analyze and interpret information, ability to write reports, correspondence and procedures, ability to maintain notes/records, ability to define and solve practical problems, collect data
• Possession of a high school diploma or equivalence preferred
• Prefer knowledge of, and previous experience with, diverse populations (language, culture, race, physical activity, sexual orientation, etc.). Ability to speak any language in addition to English may be helpful.
• Current State-approved first aid certification, state-approved CPR certification, BBP (HIV/AIDS) training certification.*
• Washington State Agency Affiliated Counseling Credential. **

*Within 30 days of employment or first available training.

**Training and certification can be completed after hire. Start process of training and certification within the first month of hire and full certification as a Peer within 6 months of hire. 

Pre-Certified Peer Counselor: 
• WA State Certified Peer Support Specialist Trainee or Certified Peer Support Specialist credential required within one year of employment. 

Certified Peer Counselor:
• WA State Certified Peer Support Specialist Trainee or Certified Peer Support Specialist required within 30 days of employment. 

You'll be a great fit for the Seattle Y if you: 

• Thrive on working in a collaborative environment. 

• Are very adaptable. 

• Have high ownership and strong work ethic. 

• Are a great problem solver who can think on your feet. 

• Truly enjoy being of service to people. 

• Like being part of a team that cares about one another as people and enjoy working together. 

• Want to know that the work you do contributes to building a better, stronger community for all. 

Our Mission 

Building a community where all people, especially the young, are encouraged to develop their fullest potential in spirit, mind, and body.  

Our Values 

• Respect 

• Responsibility 

• Honesty 

• Caring 

• Passion for Excellence 

YGS is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to creating a diverse and equitable work environment.  Qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to their race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other status protected by local, state, or federal law. 

We are a drug & alcohol-free workplace. We participate in the Federal E-Verify system. All job offers are contingent on the results of a background check in accordance with Washington's Fair Chance Act. Please download and review the below resources for more information: 

(i) The updated 2025 requirements of 49.94.010: 

https://seattleymca.icims.com/icims2/servlet/icims2?module=AppInert&action=download&id=251099&hashed=1503034877 

(ii) The WA attorney general's Washington fair chance act guide for employers and job applicants: 

https://seattleymca.icims.com/icims2/servlet/icims2?module=AppInert&action=download&id=251100&hashed=74689660 

If you need assistance of any kind with the application process, reach out to recruiting@seattleymca.org.