South County Fire
South County Fire
in Everett, WA is currently recruiting for a Peer Counselor.
Core Values All employees of South County Fire are expected to hold themselves accountable for upholding and demonstrating our core values at all times: Integrity, Humility, Compassion, Family, and Trust.
Summary The Peer Counselor supports individuals in crisis through lived‑experience based engagement, advocacy, education, and restoration of hope. This role works in mobile, community‑based crisis settings as part of the Community Based Crisis Team (CBCT), under supervision of Mental Health Professionals (MHPs), to assist in de‑escalation, linkage, follow‑up, and peer support services. The position is intended to meet the requirement that CBCTs “include certified peer counselors as a best practice” per WAC 182‑140‑0020. Washington State Legislative Website. This role may also be filled initially by a Community Health Worker (CHW) who is eligible and successfully completes peer certification under Washington State’s peer certification program. This position is grant‑based funded for 36 months, with funding up for renewal after 36 months.
Supervisory Responsibilities None.
Essential Job Duties and Responsibilities
Use lived experience and training to engage individuals in crisis with empathy, active listening, and rapport‑building
Co‑respond with crisis responders (MHPs / Behavioral Health Responders) in the field, providing peer support, psychoeducation, resource linkage, and follow‑up
Assist in stabilization, safety planning, and de‑escalation under supervision
Maintain and document contacts, progress notes, goal plans, safety plans, referrals, and follow‑up activities in a shared client record system, consistent with confidentiality and HIPAA / state regulations
Facilitate peer support groups, recovery planning, and connection to community supports
Provide ongoing community navigation, advocacy, and referrals
Participate in required trainings: Crisis Academy, trauma‑informed care, motivational interviewing, suicide prevention, confidentiality / ethics, etc.
Participate in team meetings, case reviews, supervision sessions
Engage in continuous professional development and maintain peer certification (or progression toward it)
Assist with data collection, quality improvement efforts, outcome measurement, and reporting as required under HCA / BH‑ASO contracts
Qualifications Knowledge Of:
Lived experience with behavioral health recovery (mental health or substance use), ideally 1–2 years or more
High school diploma or equivalent
Skills and Ability To:
Ability to certify (or currently be certified) as a Washington State Certified Peer Counselor (per chapter 18.420 RCW or other state peer certification standards)
Able to respond in mobile settings (travel, variable hours)
Strong interpersonal, communication, and boundary skills
Basic computer skills and ability to document in electronic health record (EHR) or case management systems
Maintain a valid driver’s license, good driving record in order to drive program vehicles
Able to pass background check and psychological evaluation
Special Requirements
Must maintain a valid Washington State Driver’s License with acceptable driving record.
Must pass a formal criminal background check for both Lynnwood Police and South County Fire.
Desirable
Experience working in crisis, community behavioral health, or peer support
Bilingual or multilingual ability relevant to service area
Certification or training in motivational interviewing, trauma‑informed care, etc.
Physical Demands The employee is regularly required to stand, walk, use hands to manipulate, handle, or operate objects, controls, or tools as listed above, reach with hands and arms, climb, balance, stoop, kneel, or crouch. Must be able to assist patients and lift when necessary, utilizing lift assistance devices. Office activities require the ability to sit for long periods of time and move throughout the office or field; ability to perform manipulative skills required for word processing; ability to lift, carry, and maneuver various educational supplies and equipment up to 50 pounds; ability to read computer screen, various documents and forms; hearing and speech abilities to effectively communicate and perform duties.
Working Conditions Work takes place in a variety of environments including office settings, classrooms, meetings, public events, and field‑based work: Home, streets, shelters, etc, which may take place outdoors in inclement weather. Use of agency vehicle may be required with occasional long travel. Travel may involve visiting challenging and uncomfortable living situations, with exposure to unpredictable or volatile settings (de‑escalation required). Must follow team safety protocols (backup, radio, scene assessment). CBCT employees work on a rotating schedule to ensure weekend coverage and may work Irregular hours, possibly including evenings, and holidays.
General Statement The statements contained herein reflect general details as necessary to describe the principal functions of this job, the level of knowledge and skill typically required and the scope of responsibility, but should not be considered an all‑inclusive listing of work requirements. Individuals may perform other duties as assigned including work in other functional areas to cover absences or relief, to equalize peak work periods or otherwise to balance the workload. Furthermore, they do not establish a contract for employment and are subject to change at the discretion of the employer.
Equal Opportunity/EHE Commitment South County Fire is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, South County Fire will ensure that reasonable accommodations are provided upon request to persons with disabilities. If reasonable accommodations are needed to participate in the application, interview, or testing process, please contact the HR Manager at HR@southsnofire.org.
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in Everett, WA is currently recruiting for a Peer Counselor.
Core Values All employees of South County Fire are expected to hold themselves accountable for upholding and demonstrating our core values at all times: Integrity, Humility, Compassion, Family, and Trust.
Summary The Peer Counselor supports individuals in crisis through lived‑experience based engagement, advocacy, education, and restoration of hope. This role works in mobile, community‑based crisis settings as part of the Community Based Crisis Team (CBCT), under supervision of Mental Health Professionals (MHPs), to assist in de‑escalation, linkage, follow‑up, and peer support services. The position is intended to meet the requirement that CBCTs “include certified peer counselors as a best practice” per WAC 182‑140‑0020. Washington State Legislative Website. This role may also be filled initially by a Community Health Worker (CHW) who is eligible and successfully completes peer certification under Washington State’s peer certification program. This position is grant‑based funded for 36 months, with funding up for renewal after 36 months.
Supervisory Responsibilities None.
Essential Job Duties and Responsibilities
Use lived experience and training to engage individuals in crisis with empathy, active listening, and rapport‑building
Co‑respond with crisis responders (MHPs / Behavioral Health Responders) in the field, providing peer support, psychoeducation, resource linkage, and follow‑up
Assist in stabilization, safety planning, and de‑escalation under supervision
Maintain and document contacts, progress notes, goal plans, safety plans, referrals, and follow‑up activities in a shared client record system, consistent with confidentiality and HIPAA / state regulations
Facilitate peer support groups, recovery planning, and connection to community supports
Provide ongoing community navigation, advocacy, and referrals
Participate in required trainings: Crisis Academy, trauma‑informed care, motivational interviewing, suicide prevention, confidentiality / ethics, etc.
Participate in team meetings, case reviews, supervision sessions
Engage in continuous professional development and maintain peer certification (or progression toward it)
Assist with data collection, quality improvement efforts, outcome measurement, and reporting as required under HCA / BH‑ASO contracts
Qualifications Knowledge Of:
Lived experience with behavioral health recovery (mental health or substance use), ideally 1–2 years or more
High school diploma or equivalent
Skills and Ability To:
Ability to certify (or currently be certified) as a Washington State Certified Peer Counselor (per chapter 18.420 RCW or other state peer certification standards)
Able to respond in mobile settings (travel, variable hours)
Strong interpersonal, communication, and boundary skills
Basic computer skills and ability to document in electronic health record (EHR) or case management systems
Maintain a valid driver’s license, good driving record in order to drive program vehicles
Able to pass background check and psychological evaluation
Special Requirements
Must maintain a valid Washington State Driver’s License with acceptable driving record.
Must pass a formal criminal background check for both Lynnwood Police and South County Fire.
Desirable
Experience working in crisis, community behavioral health, or peer support
Bilingual or multilingual ability relevant to service area
Certification or training in motivational interviewing, trauma‑informed care, etc.
Physical Demands The employee is regularly required to stand, walk, use hands to manipulate, handle, or operate objects, controls, or tools as listed above, reach with hands and arms, climb, balance, stoop, kneel, or crouch. Must be able to assist patients and lift when necessary, utilizing lift assistance devices. Office activities require the ability to sit for long periods of time and move throughout the office or field; ability to perform manipulative skills required for word processing; ability to lift, carry, and maneuver various educational supplies and equipment up to 50 pounds; ability to read computer screen, various documents and forms; hearing and speech abilities to effectively communicate and perform duties.
Working Conditions Work takes place in a variety of environments including office settings, classrooms, meetings, public events, and field‑based work: Home, streets, shelters, etc, which may take place outdoors in inclement weather. Use of agency vehicle may be required with occasional long travel. Travel may involve visiting challenging and uncomfortable living situations, with exposure to unpredictable or volatile settings (de‑escalation required). Must follow team safety protocols (backup, radio, scene assessment). CBCT employees work on a rotating schedule to ensure weekend coverage and may work Irregular hours, possibly including evenings, and holidays.
General Statement The statements contained herein reflect general details as necessary to describe the principal functions of this job, the level of knowledge and skill typically required and the scope of responsibility, but should not be considered an all‑inclusive listing of work requirements. Individuals may perform other duties as assigned including work in other functional areas to cover absences or relief, to equalize peak work periods or otherwise to balance the workload. Furthermore, they do not establish a contract for employment and are subject to change at the discretion of the employer.
Equal Opportunity/EHE Commitment South County Fire is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, South County Fire will ensure that reasonable accommodations are provided upon request to persons with disabilities. If reasonable accommodations are needed to participate in the application, interview, or testing process, please contact the HR Manager at HR@southsnofire.org.
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