Department: Forensic Services

Reports to: Supervisor of Forensic Programs

Pay Range: $24 to $27 per hour (DOE/DOQ)

Hours per Week: 40 hours

Workdays: Monday to Friday 8-5

Benefits:

• Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance
• Vacation, Sick Leave, Float Days & Paid Holidays
• 403(b) Retirement Plan
• Life Insurance
• Long Term Disability
• Wellness Program
• Employee Assistant Program
• LifeFlight Membership
• Education Allowance

JOB PURPOSE:  As part of Washington State's response to the Trueblood settlement-which addresses delays in providing behavioral health and competency restoration services to individuals involved in the criminal legal system-the FHARPS Engagement Coordinator plays a key role in connecting justice-involved individuals with serious behavioral health conditions to stable, supportive housing. This position oversees the day-to-day operations of the Forensic Housing and Recovery through Peer Services (FHARPS) program, supporting direct service staff and collaborating with system partners to reduce housing barriers, advocate for participant needs, and promote long-term housing stability. The Engagement Coordinator serves as the face of the program in the community and court systems, bridging gaps between legal, clinical, housing, and outreach efforts to improve participant outcomes and reduce recidivism. The role includes housing coordination, landlord engagement, and building partnerships with housing providers to expand access to safe and appropriate housing for program participants.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Program Oversight

• Ensure program services adhere to guiding principles of harm reduction, trauma-informed care, participant voice and choice, and cultural inclusivity.
• Monitor contract compliance, quality assurance, and timely data/reporting requirements across all programs.
• Facilitate ongoing improvement of workflows, outreach, and coordination with clinical and community partners.
• Support continuous quality improvement by identifying barriers to engagement and helping develop solutions that align with program goals and HCA contract requirements.
• Perform other duties as assigned or approved by the HCA Contract Manager to support FHARPS enrollment, engagement, and overall program success.

Staff Supervision and Development

• Provide direct supervision, support, and professional development to peer specialists and case managers.
• Ensure staff receive necessary training and maintain credentials (e.g., Peer Certification, HIPAA, safety protocols).
• Foster a team culture that promotes wellness, accountability, and lived-experience leadership.
• Conduct regular individual and group supervision using trauma-informed and reflective supervision practices.
• Support staff in managing complex cases by offering coaching, problem-solving support, and consultation.
• Assist with onboarding and orientation of new staff, ensuring consistency in values, procedures, and expectations.
• Ensure staff safety and well-being through proactive support for field-based work, including debriefing challenging outreach efforts and ensuring staff access to wellness resources.

Community Collaboration

• Build and sustain partnerships with jails, courts, treatment providers, DSHS, landlords, and housing authorities.
• Coordinate with criminal legal system stakeholders to streamline referral and service engagement pathways.
• Deliver presentations and training on FHARPS services to courts, attorneys, law enforcement, and other community partners to increase awareness and appropriate referrals.
• Maintain program visibility in the community, representing FHARPS at stakeholder meetings, community forums, and court settings.
• Represent the programs in community meetings and cross-system planning efforts.
• Co-outreach with Forensic Navigators (FNs) to potential FHARPS enrollees in jails and the community to build rapport, explain FHARPS services, and reduce enrollment barriers.
• Attend court hearings with FHARPS participants and, when requested, present information on program services and participant progress to legal stakeholders.
• Serve as the program's liaison with courts, jails, legal teams, and behavioral health providers; maintain strong collaborative relationships with partners including FPATH, OCRP, and DSHS Forensic Navigators.
• Act as a liaison between landlords/property managers and program participants, facilitating communication, resolving concerns, and supporting positive landlord-tenant relationships to promote housing stability.
• Build and maintain relationships with landlords and housing providersby identifying appropriate and affordable housing options within the community, advocating for participant placement, and educating partners about the FHARPS program and support services available to tenants.

Participant-Centered Services

• Conduct proactive outreach to new enrollees and individuals who disengage from services, offering support and encouragement to re-engage and complete FHARPS.
• Ensure discharge planning begins at engagement and connects participants with individualized services.
• Support participant transitions from jail, competency restoration, or unstable housing into permanent housing, treatment, or community resources.
• Promote service delivery that emphasizes empowerment, recovery, and skill-building.
• Provide ongoing support to participants who have obtained housing, including assistance with tenancy education, conflict resolution, maintaining housing stability, and connecting individuals to ongoing recovery and community-based services.

Administrative Duties

• Manage incoming referrals and ensure appropriate tracking, assignment, and coordination of services.
• Track and submit program data, outcome metrics, and reports per contract timelines.
• Participate in program audits and funder reviews.
• Oversee data integrity in electronic health records systems.
• Maintains familiarity with and handles client information in accordance with Federal Regulations (42 CFR, Part 2), the Revised Code of Washington (RCW 71.05.390 and RCW 71.24), and other applicable laws pertaining to confidentiality of client and staff information.
• Maintains physical security of confidential materials and assigned Agency property.

Secondary Duties and Responsibilities:

• Performs relevant clinical and administrative tasks according to agency policies.
• Demonstrates proficiency in utilization of the Agency's electronic medical record system.
• Participates in team meetings and program development.
• Provides information and education to community members.
• Maintains high standards of professional conduct in interaction with clients, staff, and other community members.
• Maintains professional competence through a program of professional development and in-service training.
• Demonstrates flexibility in adapting to changing work demands.
• Performs other duties as assigned or requested.

Performance Expectations:

• Demonstrate experience developing positive, collaborative relationships with criminal justice system and social services providers to effectively serve individuals.
• Maintain accurate, timely chart information in compliance with funding sources while also meeting agency quality assurance guidelines.
• Meets attendance and punctuality standards necessary for effective program operations.
• Meets all contract obligations.
• Understand and adhere to state and federal confidentiality regulations.
• Conducts self ethically and professionally at all times.
• Coordinate and prioritize work assignments so that tasks are completed on time and in a quality manner.

REQUIRED EDUCATION, LICENSE(S), CERTIFICATION, AND EXPERIENCE:

Education:  Bachelors Degree in Behavioral Sciences or related field; Education level may be fulfilled by years of experience if approved by  the HCA Contract Manager.

Licensure (assistance provided): 

• Agency Affiliated Counselor Registration
• Certified Peer Support Specialist credential within 6 months of hire
• Peers Supervising Peers Certificate 

Experience: 

• Must be a person who has their own personal lived experience receiving services for a mental health condition OR is in recovery from a substance use disorder for at least the last two consecutive years.
• Minimum of two years in a supervisory or leadership role.
• Demonstrated experience with program coordination or project management.

Other:  Valid Driver's License (must have satisfactory and insurable driving record to be able to drive company vehicles) 

Additional requirements:

• Must be able to pass a pre-employment drug test and background check.
• Must be able to provide vaccination records for MMR, Hep B, Tdap and recent flu shot.

PREFERRED ADDITIONAL CREDENTIALS/EXPERIENCE:

Licensure:    Currently holds a Certified Peer Support Specialist credential

                      Currently holds a Peers Supervising Peers Certification

Experience:   Has an understanding of Peer Support ethical and practice guidelines of being open minded, recovery oriented, hopeful, respectful, empathetic agent of change, strengths focused, and person centered.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

Essential:

• Strong understanding of the intersection between behavioral health, homelessness, and the criminal legal system.
• Familiarity with housing-first models, harm reduction, and forensic peer support.
• Proficiency in navigating complex systems of care.
• High emotional intelligence and ability to coach individuals with lived experience.
• Skilled in program management, report writing, and interagency coordination.
• Able to use sound judgments in intervention, support services, and problem solving.
• Knowledge of social service delivery systems.
• Ability to coordinate care with multiple service providers.
• Able to manage crises effectively to ensure safety.
• Able and willing to work independently and as a team member.
• Ability to multitask and effectively.
• Good verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong knowledge of community resources.
• Must have competence using computer, photocopier, fax machine, smartphone and entering data into electronic database.

NATURE AND SCOPE:

Physical Demands:

• Moderate physical effort (lift/carry up to 25 lbs.)
• Occasional sitting/standing/walking/hiking.
• Occasionally lifts supplies and equipment.
• Maintains Universal Precautions and uses barriers (gloves, masks, aprons, goggles) appropriately in all potential exposures to body fluids.

Working Environment:

• May be exposed to infections and contagious diseases.
• Occasionally exposed to patients exhibiting assaultive behaviors.
• Works in both office and community-based settings.

Working Demands:

• Frequent pressure due to schedule demands.
• Contact with clients under a wide variety of circumstances.
• Subject to varying and unpredictable situations.
• Handles emergency or crisis situations.

Principal Challenges:

• Adopts an approach guided by service recipients' needs and desires.
• Able to foster and support self-advocacy.
• Manages personal stress so that on-the-job activities are not negatively impacted.