WISe Youth Partner

About AkinAkin partners with children, families, and communities to build relationships and support well-being so everyone can thrive. Through our early learning programs, we create inclusive, nurturing environments where children feel safe, supported, and inspired to learn.Position SummaryThe WISe Youth Partner is a Certified Peer Specialist who draws on their own lived experience as a young person who has navigated trauma, emotional or behavioral health challenges, and involvement in child-serving systems. In this role, you are a trusted bridge between the youth you serve and the WISe team — ensuring that the voice and choice of each young person is genuinely heard, respected, and reflected at every stage of the process.Many WISe participants are reluctant to share their perspectives, hopes, and concerns — particularly those who have been marginalized or unheard in previous system of care experiences. You will build the kind of authentic, peer-based relationship that makes it safe for youth to speak up. Your work ensures that each young person’s perspective is captured with honesty and dignity in the Cross-System Care Plan (CSCP) and the Child and Adolescent Needs and Strengths (CANS) tool, so that the plan truly belongs to them.Services are provided in homes, schools, and other community settings with a flexible schedule that meets youth where they are.This position has access to protected healthcare information (PHI) or confidential identifiable information (CII), both paper and electronic, as necessary, to perform related job duties and responsibilities.Essential FunctionsAmplify Family Voice & ChoiceServe as the primary champion for the voice and choice of each WISe participant, ensuring their perspective is articulated and honored throughout every phase of the WISe processBuild trusting relationships with youth who may be reluctant to share their views, especially those who have been marginalized or dismissed in previous system experiencesEnsure each young person’s hopes, concerns, strengths, and goals are captured respectfully and clearly in the Cross-System Care Plan (CSCP) and the Child and Adolescent Needs and Strengths (CANS) toolAssess and support the youth’s ability and confidence to communicate their own perspective and preferences, and actively work to strengthen that capacity over timeAdvocate for the youth’s needs, interests, and goals within the Child and Family Team and the broader communityBuilding Trust & ConnectionMeet with youth regularly, bringing authenticity, consistency, and genuine care to every interactionDraw on your own lived experience to build rapport, establish trust, and demonstrate that recovery and a meaningful life are possibleListen to each young person’s story and, with them, identify their strengths, needs, preferences, and goalsWork with youth to identify and engage natural supports in the wraparound processCoaching, Skill Building & EmpowermentCoach youth to develop communication, self-advocacy, and self-regulation skills that help them take an active role in their own treatment and goal-settingModel effective ways to engage with systems, services, and team membersShare de-escalation strategies for managing difficult moments, developed and reinforced collaboratively with the whole teamHelp youth understand their rights within the systems they are involved in and how to exercise those rightsEncourage youth to give feedback to team members and celebrate progress toward their goalsSystem Navigation & Community ConnectionDraw on lived experience to help youth navigate complex systems — including mental health, education, child welfare, and juvenile justice — in practical and empowering waysParticipate in Child and Family Team (CFT) meetings, providing youth-centered perspective and supporting youth participation and voice in those meetingsConnect youth to community resources, activities, and natural supports that align with their interests and goalsBrainstorm and co-develop strategies with youth that build on their strengths and expand their sense of possibilityParticipate in rotating after-hours crisis on-call coverage, providing timely response and support to youth and families outside of regular business hoursTeam Collaboration & DocumentationCollaborate with CFT members and complete assigned tasks on the care plan relevant to this roleCommunicate with the team about progress and completion of assigned tasksProvide a range of supportive interventions and activities as agreed with the youth and documented in the cross-system care planCoordinate strategies and approaches with clinicians and other team members to ensure consistencyMaintain productivity standards for direct service as established for the positionEnsure timely collection of statistical information for funding sources and program evaluationsEnsure compliance with all Akin policies, applicable contracts, and Federal, State, and local confidentiality requirementsPerform documentation reviews and self-audits as required by the WISe Coach or as needs ariseParticipate in scheduled supervision, team meetings, and administrative meetings; utilize reflective supervision to support professional growth and quality client careRemain current with all professional development and licensure requirementsKnowledge, Skills, And AbilitiesLived experience as a young person who has navigated trauma and/or significant emotional or behavioral health challenges, with personal involvement in at least one child-serving system (e.g., mental health, child welfare, juvenile justice, special education)A demonstrated ability to connect authentically with youth who may feel unheard, distrustful, or disengaged from servicesThe ability to draw on your own story to build hope and trust without centering your experience over the youth’sStrong interpersonal and communication skills, with warmth, patience, and genuine enthusiasm for young people’s growthCommitment to accessibility, inclusion, and belonging; demonstrated openness to learning and contributing to an equitable workplaceProficiency in Microsoft Outlook and Word; strong typing skillsWorking EnvironmentThis position requires a flexible work schedule, including evenings and weekends to accommodate families’ needsServices are performed throughout the community including in family homes, schools, and Akin officesHybrid Work ArrangementsHybrid work is a benefit of Akin’s flexible workplace but cannot be offered for all positions. Some positions require daily presence in the office. Hybrid work arrangements may be adjusted or rescinded based upon business needs.Physical DemandsWhile performing the essential duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, sit, talk, hear, and use hands and fingers to operate a computer and telephone keyboard; occasionally to reach, stoop and kneelSpecific vision abilities required by this job include close vision requirements due to computer workRegular, predictable attendance is requiredMinimum QualificationsHave or obtain the Peer Counselor Certification from the State of Washington within 6 months of hire (Akin will support with the process to obtain this certification)Proof of CPR and First Aid Certification is required within 30 daysA one-step Mantoux TB skin test prior to start of employment. For those who have previously tested positive, documented proof of treatment from a doctor, or a negative chest x-ray must be providedHIV/AIDS and blood borne pathogens training required within 30 daysA valid driver’s license and a favorable driving record, with no more than three violations within the past three yearsPreferred QualificationsPrior experience in a peer support roleSalary Range And BenefitsWe provide a comprehensive benefits package, including competitive pay, medical, dental and retirement benefits and paid time off. As required by various pay transparency laws, we share a competitive range of compensation for candidates hired into each position.The target starting pay for this position is $23.636 - $27.7685 per hour, typically within the first half of these ranges. Actual offers will be based on individual qualifications relevant to the role and will not take an applicant’s pay history into account.The range above allows our employees room for growth during their tenure in the position.WHY JOIN AKIN?:Make a meaningful impact in the lives of children and familiesWork in a collaborative, mission-driven environmentAccess ongoing professional development and growth opportunitiesBe part of a team committed to inclusion, belonging, and communityCommitment To Equity And InclusionAkin is committed to creating a diverse, inclusive, and equitable workplace. We welcome candidates from all backgrounds and encourage individuals who bring lived experience and diverse perspectives to apply.