Certified Peer Specialist

Job Description:

Certified Peer Specialist

Description

Position Description

The City of Tacoma is seeking a Certified Peer Support Specialist (CPSS) to join the Tacoma Fire Department’s HOPE Program. This position provides peer-based support services to people experiencing behavioral health and other crises through dispatch-based response and follow-up.

The CPSS uses lived experience with behavioral health conditions (mental health and/or substance use), housing instability, and/or involvement with the criminal legal system to promote hope, resilience, and recovery. This position works collaboratively as part of a multidisciplinary team to ensure peer perspectives are incorporated into service planning and delivery.

If you want to make a positive impact on the community, apply today and become a part of our team!

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide voluntary, trauma-informed, person-centered peer support to people experiencing behavioral health or related crises
• Respond to dispatch referrals and conduct outreach and follow-up to support recovery and stabilization
• Use lived experience to provide de-escalation, emotional support, recovery-oriented guidance, and system navigation
• Promote self-advocacy, social connection, and engagement in health and wellness goals
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary team members through meetings, case consultations, and coordinated service planning
• Maintain professional boundaries while building trusting, supportive relationships
• Complete timely, accurate documentation of all peer support engagements and required forms

Qualifications

Qualifications:

• An equivalent combination to graduation from high school or GED and two years of experience in a behavioral health (mental health and/or substance use) field.

LICENSES, CERTIFICATES AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS

• Valid Washington Driver’s License at time of application

• Washington State Certified Peer Support Specialist Certification per RCW 18.420.060, with maintenance thereafter

Desired Qualifications:

• Ability to work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends
• Prior experience in crisis response field as a Certified Peer Support Specialist
• Knowledge of Washington State’s behavioral health system and community resources

Knowledge & Skills

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of peer support principles, recovery-oriented practices, and trauma-informed care
• Knowledge of behavioral health conditions, including mental health and substance use disorders
• Skill in using lived experience appropriately to engage individuals, build trust, and promote recovery
• Skill in crisis response, de-escalation, emotional support, and system navigation
• Ability to communicate effectively and collaborate within multidisciplinary teams
• Ability to maintain professional boundaries, confidentiality, and ethical standards
• Ability to work calmly and effectively with people in crisis or high-stress situations
• Ability to complete timely, accurate documentation using electronic systems

Selection Process & Supplemental Information

Compensation & Benefits

Pay Details:

Hourly Rate: $30.61 - $43.10

NOTE: Hires will begin at Step 1 for compensation

Employee Benefits | City of Tacoma

The HOPE Program

Formed in 2023, the Holistic Outreach Promoting Engagement (HOPE) program has been providing alternative response services to the Tacoma, Fife, and Fircrest communities. Although the program is still developing the community, Fire/EMS and Law Enforcement responders, and HOPE staff continue to progress, evolve, and be responsive within the public safety system.

The HOPE Program is housed under the Fire Department with the City of Tacoma; however, the design of this program is distinct. Some areas of distinction include, but are not limited to, policies, procedures, reporting structure, shift schedules, and responses.

Learn more about the HOPE program here: https://youtu.be/QC8DvQIaWMk
City of Tacoma’s Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
At the City of Tacoma, we're on a mission to make our workforce as diverse and inclusive as the community we serve. We're committed to eliminating racial and other disparities, and we actively seek out candidates from a wide range of backgrounds and cultures. Join our team at the City of Tacoma and help us build a more vibrant, inclusive, and equitable community for all.

The City of Tacoma believes that diversity of thought, background, and experience contributes to our success and innovation. If you’re passionate about this role and our mission, we encourage you to apply. If you have a less traditional background, we want to hear about your transferrable skills and experience. We value a variety of perspectives and are excited to see what you bring to the table.

The Community

Tacoma is centrally located just 32 miles south of the city of Seattle and 31 miles north of the state capital, Olympia. The City of Tacoma is also home to the Port of Tacoma, which is among the largest container ports in the United States. Like most cities in the northwest, Tacoma is surrounded by beautiful nature, offering residents many opportunities for outdoor adventures.

Largely suburban in nature with a small, but dense, urban core, Tacoma is home to numerous institutes of higher learning that attract students from across the country. The University of Washington Tacoma, Pacific Lutheran University, University of Puget Sound, a satellite campus of the Evergreen State College, three community/technical colleges, and several trade and business schools are within Tacoma's geographic area. Downtown's Cultural District is the site of the Washington State History Museum, Museum of Glass, the Tacoma Art Museum, and America's Car Museum.

With its affordable housing and distinctive neighborhoods and business districts, the city has been recognized numerous times as a best city to live in the nation. To see a few of the great things Tacoma has to offer, view this YouTube Video!

View this exciting video to learn more about the City of Tacoma: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2n5MWl8KFvI
Application Process
Interested people should apply online by completing the application and attaching a resume and cover letter by the closing date and time listed on the job announcement. Applications received without attaching the required materials may not progress in the selection process.

Get Assistance

For assistance with the application process or questions regarding this job announcement please contact the Human Resources office at (253) 591-5400 by 4:00 p.m. of the closing date of the job announcement.

For technical difficulties using the NEOGOV system, call the applicant support line at 1-855-524-5627 between 6:00a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Pacific Standard Time. This will allow us to assist you before the job announcement closes.

Communication with the City of Tacoma

We primarily communicate via email during the application process. Emails from Tacoma.gov and/or governmentjobs.com should be placed on your safe domain list to ensure that you receive notifications in a timely manner. As a precaution, you may also want to check your junk email folders.

The City of Tacoma provides excellent medical, dental and vision plans for the whole family; paid holidays and paid leave; participation in the Tacoma Employees' Retirement System (alternate plan for Police/Fire); continuing education and advancement opportunities and a growing variety of City-sponsored health and wellness opportunities and incentives.

Medical Coverage: For eligible employees and their families, including domestic partners and dependent children age26 or younger.

Dental Coverage: For eligible employees and their families, including domestic partners and dependent children age26 or younger.

Vision Coverage: For eligible employees and their eligible dependents.

Paid Leave: City employees are entitled to received paid holidays, sick/vacation leave or personal time off (PTO), depending upon union affiliation and appointment type.

Insurance Plans: Employees are covered by a long-term disability plan. Short-term and expanded long-term disability insurance plans are also available to employees. The State Industrial Insurance Act also covers employees.

Deferred Compensation: Income can be set aside on a pretax basis and invested for supplementation of normal retirement income.

Retirement: All employees of the City, except members of the Police and Fire services, Tacoma Rail and certain project employees, are included in the Tacoma Employees' Retirement System. Information on the Tacoma Employees' Retirement System can be found at www.cityoftacoma.org or by calling (253) 502-8200.

Other Employment Information

Direct Deposit: Employees are paid on a bi-weekly schedule by direct deposit.

Salary Increases: Based on satisfactory job performance, the City provides for a regular progression of salary increases for most classifications according to the salary schedule.

Union Affiliation: Many job classifications are covered by union security provisions which require union membership, dues, or payment of equivalent service fees.

Note: The provisions of this job announcement do not constitute an expressed or implied contract. Any provision contained herein may be modified and/or revoked without notice.

Closing Date/Time: 2/16/2026 5:00 PM Pacific

Salary:

$63,668.80 - $89,648.00 Annually