Certified Peer Specialist

Jamestown Salish Seasons (JSS) is seeking a compassionate Certified Peer Specialist to join our interdisciplinary behavioral health team. This position provides non-clinical, recovery-oriented support to individuals receiving care in our 16-bed Evaluation & Treatment (E&T) Facility.

Using your lived experience in behavioral health recovery—whether personal or through direct family support—you will inspire hope, promote resiliency, and encourage meaningful engagement in recovery. As a trusted peer, you'll help create a safe, respectful, and culturally responsive healing environment that honors the traditions and values of the Jamestown S'Klallam Tribe.

If you are passionate about supporting others through recovery and want to make a lasting impact, we'd love to hear from you.

Schedule (Full-Time):
We are hiring for two schedule options:

• Monday – Thursday | 12:00 PM – 10:00 PM

• Thursday – Sunday | 12:00 PM – 10:00 PM

Essential Functions

• Provide peer-based emotional support, encouragement, and advocacy to individuals receiving treatment.

• Share lived recovery experience appropriately to promote hope, connection, and engagement.

• Support individuals in identifying strengths, recovery goals, and next steps in their recovery journey.

• Assist with engagement in daily programming, groups, and unit-based activities.

• Model effective coping strategies and recovery-oriented behaviors.

• Provide support using non-clinical, peer-based approaches grounded in recovery principles.

• Support individuals experiencing emotional distress using non-clinical approaches and promptly notify clinical staff of safety concerns, behavioral changes, or escalating needs.

• Promote a safe, respectful, and recovery-focused therapeutic environment.

• Assist with discharge planning by connecting individuals to community resources and services.

• Collaborate with the interdisciplinary treatment team and communicate relevant observations regarding engagement, behavior, and recovery progress.

• Maintain accurate and timely documentation in accordance with program, state, and federal requirements.

• Maintain professional boundaries consistent with peer support standards.

• Participate in team meetings, reflective supervision, and required training.

• Support culturally respectful practices that honor tribal traditions, values, and approaches to healing.

• Maintain role clarity by practicing within the non-clinical scope of peer support and avoiding clinical assessment or therapeutic interventions.

• Contribute to an inclusive environment that recognizes the impact of historical trauma, community context, and lived experience.

• Perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Education & Experience

• High school diploma or equivalent.

• Demonstrated lived recovery experience of at least one year related to a mental health condition or substance use disorder, or as the parent/legal guardian of a child with such lived experience, consistent with Certified Peer Specialist standards.

• Active Washington State Department of Health (DOH) Certified Peer Specialist credential.

• Holds, or is eligible to obtain, a Washington State Agency Affiliated Counselor (AAC) registration.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Knowledge of recovery principles and peer support practices.

• Understanding of trauma-informed care and the effects of historical and intergenerational trauma.

• Understanding of the peer support role as a non-clinical discipline distinct from licensed behavioral health services.

• Ability to recognize personal triggers and effectively utilize supervision to maintain wellness and role effectiveness.

• Ability to engage individuals respectfully and without judgment.

• Ability to support individuals in distress using non-clinical approaches.

• Ability to maintain confidentiality in accordance with HIPAA and 42 CFR Part 2.

• Ability to document services clearly and accurately.

• Ability to support culturally respectful practices and environments.

• Demonstrated professionalism, reliability, ethical conduct, and sound judgment.

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.

• Ability to work effectively within a collaborative, team-based behavioral health environment.

• Ability to work with individuals experiencing behavioral health challenges.

• Ability to work effectively with individuals from diverse backgrounds, including Tribal and underserved communities.

• Valid driver's license and ability to travel locally and regionally as needed.

• Must successfully pass a criminal background investigation.

Preferred Qualifications

• Active Washington State Certified Peer Specialist Supervisor credential.

• 1,500 or more hours of work experience as a fully Certified Peer Specialist, including successful completion of the HCA Peer Supervisor Training course.

• Experience working in a behavioral health or residential treatment setting.

• Experience working with Tribal communities and a strong understanding of culturally responsive practices.

• Knowledge of trauma-informed care and recovery-oriented systems of care.

• American Indian/Alaska Native hiring preferences apply.

Working Conditions

• Work is performed in a residential behavioral health setting.

• May involve exposure to emotionally challenging situations with ongoing supervision and support.

• Must be available to work assigned shifts, including evenings, weekends, holidays, and on-call assignments as needed.

• Must be able to lift, push, and carry up to 25 pounds without assistance.

• Must be able to stand, sit, walk, bend, climb, squat, and twist for extended periods.

• Requires manual dexterity, eye-hand coordination, and the ability to distinguish letters, numbers, and symbols.

• Regular interaction with residents and staff while maintaining a professional, respectful, and recovery-focused environment.

Why Join Jamestown Salish Seasons?

At JSS, you'll become part of a compassionate team committed to recovery, dignity, and culturally responsive care. We offer meaningful work, a collaborative environment, excellent benefits, and the opportunity to make a positive impact in the lives of individuals experiencing behavioral health challenges.