Days Off: Saturday, Sunday

Shift: Day

Insurance Benefits: Dental, Life, Long-term Disability, Medical (no premiums/payroll deductions for employee coverage)

Other Benefits: Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Flexible Spending Account (FSA), ORCA card subsidy, Paid Time Off (34 days per year), Retirement Plan

About DESC:

DESC (Downtown Emergency Service Center) is a nonprofit organization working to help people with the complex needs of homelessness, substance use disorders, and serious mental illness achieve their highest potential for health and well-being through comprehensive services, treatment, and housing. Our vision is a community where no person is abandoned, ignored, or experiencing homelessness.

As the region's leading provider of services to multiply disabled adults who have experienced chronic homelessness, DESC serves almost 3,000 people each day. Our integrated service model is designed to help people secure and maintain appropriate, safe and affordable housing. DESC is recognized nationally and regionally as an innovator in developing solutions to homelessness.

POSITION SUMMARY
The Peer Supervisor is a key leadership role within the HOST (Homeless Outreach Stabilization and Transition) program. In conjunction with the HOST Project Manager, this position oversees all aspects of peer outreach and engagement, short-term peer services (including support for substance use, emotional regulation, mental health, and independent living skills), as well as contractual obligations such as timely completion of required reports and coordination with internal and external agencies to assure successful transition of consumers to ongoing care.

The Peer Supervisor will have lived experience as a Peer Specialist and preferably prior supervisory experience. They bring knowledge and first-hand insight from their recovery journey—whether from substance use, mental health challenges, emotional regulation, or independent living skills development—that enriches peer support services in a way professional training alone cannot replicate. They are well established in their own recovery and provide expertise to promote mind-body recovery and resilience.

The Peer Supervisor and Peer Specialists provide consultation to the HOST team to promote a culture in which each client's point of view and preferences are recognized, understood, respected, and integrated into treatment, recovery, and community self-help activities. Services will be provided primarily in Seattle, including on the streets, in shelters, hospitals, encampments, and other service centers as assigned. This position requires a high degree of coordination and collaboration with other DESC programs as well as outside agencies.

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Supervisory

• Coordinate the work of HOST Peer Specialists conducting outreach to clients throughout Seattle.
• Assist the HOST Project Manager in planning, implementing, and coordinating short-term peer services within HOST.
• Provide supervision consistent with WAC 246-929 requirements for Certified Peer Support Specialists and Trainees, including:
• Biweekly supervision meetings (at minimum, unless client contact has not occurred).
• Oversight of documentation, ethical practice, and peer service delivery.
• Responsiveness to emergent participant needs within 48 hours.
• Ensure peer specialists in training (CPSS-T) within HOST receive appropriate oversight to complete the required 1,000 supervised hours and 12 minimum supervision meetings to achieve full certification.
• Participate in psychiatric consultations, clinical supervision meetings, program meetings, and in-service training for Peer Specialists; attend clinical reviews and case conferences as needed.
• Assess staff for strengths and training needs. Provide consultation, performance feedback, support, and ensure training opportunities.
• Facilitate team meetings to foster collaboration, peer leadership, and client-centered service delivery.
• Coordinate and schedule all aspects of peer services, including team coverage; review and authorize time sheets and submit them to payroll on time.
• Guide and participate in screening and assessment activities to ensure resources are prioritized for the target population.
• Plan and conduct quality assurance activities in coordination with the HOST Project Manager.
• Review team documentation to ensure records are complete, current, and compliant with DESC and county standards.
• Establish and maintain cooperative relationships with internal and external partners that provide resources needed by the client population.
• Screen referrals for eligibility and coordinate initial engagement efforts.
• Monitor contractual obligations and ensure staff awareness and compliance.
• Ensure accurate service data collection; assist with report writing in compliance with HOST contracts.
• Participate in program evaluation activities and DESC clinical committees as assigned.

Direct Service

• Carry a partial caseload providing outreach and short-term peer services when needed.
• Identify individuals in need, screen for appropriateness to services, develop rapport, and address immediate/basic needs of those who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.
• Provide recovery support to individuals referred from emergency rooms, shelters, or encampments.
• Support clients in connecting to resources such as medication assisted treatment, mental health treatment, emotional regulation supports, independent living skills, and housing pathways; assist in overcoming barriers to recovery and independence.
• Teach, model, and reinforce independent living skills (e.g., daily routines, personal care, budgeting, organization, community navigation).
• Assist clients in accessing supports such as transportation, employment/vocational resources, financial services, and housing programs.
• Use personal lived experience to inform peer support, reduce stigma, and foster recovery.
• Provide consultation and training to HOST staff and DESC colleagues on peer support, stigma reduction, recovery principles, and independent living skills.
• Advocate for client access to resources and continuity of care through collaboration with community partners.
• Assist clients in developing and voicing their recovery goals through Goal Plans, Crisis Plans, WRAP, and other tools.
• Participate in verbal de-escalation and physical interventions in emergent situations; assist other staff to maintain safety.
• Provide transportation for clients as necessary.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Current Certified Peer Support Specialist (CPSS) credential through the Washington State Department of Health or ability to gain certification within 60 days of hire.
• Proof of successful completion of the Washington State Health Care Authority's Certified Peer Support Specialist Training prior to hire.
• Completion of “Crisis Awareness and Communication in Peer Support (CACPS)” training or ability to complete within 60 days of employment.
• Ability to gain certification as an approved peer support specialist supervisor through the Washington State Department of Health:
• Obtain 1,000 hours of experience as a peer support specialist,
• Obtain 500 hours of joint peer supervision experience with an approved supervisor,
• Complete the Washington State Health Care Authority Peer Supervisor Training.
• One or more years' experience in community based behavioral health services.
• Two or more years’ experience leveraging personal peer story as a peer specialist.
• Lived experience as a consumer of behavioral health services (mental health and/or substance use treatment) or be the parent or legal guardian of a child who has received behavioral health services.
• Must be or have been a recipient of behavioral health services (mental health, substance use, or both) and be well-established in recovery.
• Ability to integrate client preferences into recovery planning and service delivery.
• Strong communication skills with diverse populations.
• Knowledge of community resources and methods for accessing them.
• Experience working with adults experiencing homelessness, mental illness, and/or substance use disorders.
• Ability to work effectively with individuals who may display challenging or unusual behaviors.
• Commitment to recovery-oriented, client-centered, and trauma-informed practice.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• At least one year’s experience providing supervision to peers prior to July 1, 2025, and completion of peer specialist supervisor training provided by the health care authority.
• Current Washington State driver’s license and insurable driving record.
• Knowledge of crisis intervention, de-escalation, and harm reduction strategies.
• Bilingual in Spanish/English.
• Ability to demonstrate empathy, deep engagement, and collaboration in a stressful and dynamic environment.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those required to perform essential functions. Reasonable accommodation may be made. While performing duties, the employee may sit for long periods, lift up to 40 pounds, operate computers, and communicate with others. Vision requirements include close and distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER:

DESC is committed to diversity in the workplace, and promotes equal employment opportunities for all staff members and applicants. The Agency will not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment on the basis of race, creed, color, sex, gender, sexual orientation, age, national origin, caste, marital status, or the presence of any sensory, mental or physical disability in any employment practice, unless based on a bona fide occupational qualification. Minorities and veterans are encouraged to apply.