Job post summary
Date posted: April 1, 2026
Pay: $24\.99 \- $25\.00 per hour
Job description:
Department: Behavioral Health Program
Reports To: Operations Manager/Co\-Assistant Director
FLSA Status: Full\-Time; Non\-Exempt, Hourly
Last Updated: April 1, 2026
STOP: Candidates should NOT call the WSNARC office. We will keep candidates informed via this platform or via email in approximately 2 eeks. Before you proceed, please make a note to email Human Resources (spettey@wsnarc.org) with your Indigenous resources experience. We will be working with the program Essette. Please notate if you have Essette experience in your cover letter.
General Summary:
Under general supervision, the Indigenous Peer Navigator/Advocate performs advanced\-level work facilitating linkages across systems to services for individuals who are experiencing life challenges including, but not limited to, homelessness, victimization, poverty, unemployment, health conditions, disabilities, court\-mandated requirements, mental health conditions, substance use conditions, and criminal justice involvement. Core functions of this position include supporting clients with evidence\-based peer support relationships, identifying personal strengths and abilities, and supporting the client with coaching, education, and advocacy, identifying resiliency and risk factors, needs, and barriers to systems and service linkage. This job is located in our Grand Junction office.
Role Purpose:
To provide culturally responsive services that directly support and enhance clinical practice and client care while providing an ongoing contribution to an underserved community. The significant needs of the American Indian/Alaska Native community support the goals of developing a successful and sustainable program.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities (including, but not limited to):
* Client Outreach and Engagement: Use Essette to help identify and engage with clients to improve patient/clients outcomes. This is done by calling clients and using a workflow to get people the help they need. You will be actively listening and engaging with clients ensuring all contact attempts are recorded in Essette and all options for the proper care are provided.
* Goal Setting and Client Empowerment: Collaboratively set client\-driven goals and timelines in Essette. Support clients in developing action plans, overcoming barriers, and taking ownership of their progress through ongoing encouragement and advocacy.
* Service Linkage and Coordination: Coordinate cross\-system services using Essette to document referrals, schedules, and outcomes. Support clients in accessing both clinical and community resources, including transportation and appointment navigation.
* Cultural and Community Support: Connect clients to culturally relevant programs, traditional practices, and tribal supports. Promote cultural identity as a core component of recovery and well\-being.
* Monitoring Client Progress: Track client participation and outcomes in Essette. Follow up on challenges, address service gaps, and revise care plans as needed to support continued progress.
* Professional Relationship Building: Develop and maintain strong relationships with service providers and community partners. Collaborate to enhance client access to resources and continuity of care.
* Life Skills Coaching and Client Support: Provide coaching in independent living and self\-management skills. Offer emotional support to help clients build resilience in helping them move forward in life.
* Adherence to Professional Standards: Maintain boundaries and uphold ethical standards, including cultural humility and trauma\-informed care. Ensure documentation and conduct align with peer support best practices.
* Collaborative Problem\-Solving and Support: Work with clients to resolve barriers through emotional support and solution\-focused strategies. Encourage continued service engagement despite obstacles.
* Supervision and Professional Development: Attend weekly clinical supervision and work closely with leadership to align with program goals. Participate in ongoing training related to peer support, culture, and systems navigation.
* Other Duties: Perform additional tasks as needed to support client success and program effectiveness.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Required:
Knowledge:
* Essette Case Management: Strong understanding of Essette’s case management functionalities, including case creation, service tracking, care plan documentation, contact logs, referrals, and reporting tools.
* Behavioral Health and Systems Navigation: In\-depth knowledge of behavioral health conditions and navigating systems such as housing, healthcare, and legal supports using Essette to document and streamline access.
* Data Integrity and Compliance: Understanding of HIPAA, data privacy laws, and ethical documentation practices within digital platforms like Essette.
* Customer Service Practices: In\-depth knowledge of customer service principles and best practices, including the ability to build rapport, establish trust, and address client needs effectively and empathetically. Understanding of how to resolve client concerns quickly, ensuring high satisfaction and positive engagement.
* Interpersonal Dynamics: Thorough understanding of interpersonal communication strategies, conflict resolution, and relationship\-building techniques. Knowledge of how to foster positive and productive interactions with clients, coworkers, and stakeholders from diverse backgrounds.
* Active Listening: Knowledge of active listening techniques and their importance in ensuring mutual understanding and effective communication. Skilled in interpreting verbal and non\-verbal cues to identify client needs and provide appropriate responses.
* Oral and Written Communication: Familiarity with communication models and strategies to adapt messages for various audiences, ensuring clarity and impact in both oral and written forms. Knowledge of how to tailor communication styles for different cultural, social, and professional contexts.
* Time Management: Strong understanding of time management principles, including the ability to prioritize tasks effectively, meet deadlines, and manage multiple projects or responsibilities simultaneously. Awareness of the importance of balancing urgency with thoroughness in service delivery.
Skills:
* Customer Service Excellence: Demonstrated ability to interact with clients, staff, and community partners in a professional, respectful, and empathetic manner. Skilled at addressing concerns, resolving conflicts, and ensuring a positive client experience in both face\-to\-face and virtual settings.
* Communication Skills: Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to articulate ideas clearly, listen attentively, and adapt language to suit the audience. Proficient in motivational interviewing, active listening, and other engagement techniques that help clients feel heard, valued, and supported.
* Critical Thinking \& Problem\-Solving: Strong ability to assess client needs, identify underlying issues, and develop actionable solutions. Skilled at analyzing complex situations, making informed decisions quickly, and adjusting plans as needed to resolve client concerns or operational challenges.
* Relationship Building \& Collaboration: Proven success in establishing and maintaining positive working relationships with diverse groups, including clients, community partners, service providers, and multidisciplinary teams. Ability to collaborate effectively and respectfully with others to achieve shared goals and ensure client success.
* Time Management \& Prioritization: Highly organized and able to manage competing priorities efficiently. Skilled at balancing client needs with administrative duties, ensuring that all tasks are completed within the required timeframes while maintaining high standards of service quality.
* Technology Proficiency: Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and other digital tools for communication, data management, and project coordination. Comfortable using electronic health records (EHR), virtual meeting platforms (Zoom, Teams), and CRM systems to streamline operations and improve service delivery.
Abilities:
* Cultural Competence: Ability to engage with clients from diverse cultural backgrounds, demonstrating sensitivity and understanding. Skilled in applying culturally relevant practices and ensuring that services are inclusive and respectful of cultural differences, particularly in working with Indigenous communities.
* Customer Service Excellence: Exceptional ability to provide high\-quality, client\-centered service. Skilled in managing challenging situations with empathy, patience, and professionalism. Committed to ensuring that clients feel supported and valued in all interactions.
* Adaptability: Highly flexible and resourceful in adapting to changing circumstances, needs, and priorities. Able to manage uncertainty and shift focus as necessary to meet client needs and organizational goals. Demonstrates resilience and maintains a positive attitude in dynamic work environments.
* Bridging Information \& Communication Gaps: Skilled at translating complex information into clear, actionable steps for clients and stakeholders. Proficient in bridging communication gaps between clients, service providers, and internal teams to ensure alignment on client needs and service delivery.
* Attention to Detail: Demonstrates a keen eye for detail in all aspects of the role, including client documentation, service tracking, and data entry. Ensures that all information is accurate, up\-to\-date, and complies with confidentiality and privacy regulations.
* Goal\-Oriented \& Empowering Clients: Able to foster a client\-focused environment by setting and tracking client\-driven goals. Demonstrates a strong commitment to empowering clients through coaching, encouragement, and support to help them achieve their personal and recovery goals.
* Resilience \& Emotional Intelligence: Demonstrates emotional intelligence by managing personal emotions and understanding the emotions of others, particularly when addressing client concerns or challenging situations. Capable of offering support and encouragement even in difficult circumstances.
* Ethical Standards: Adheres to high ethical standards in all aspects of work, including maintaining professional boundaries, respecting client autonomy, and ensuring confidentiality and privacy are upheld at all times. Familiar with HIPAA and other relevant privacy regulations.
Qualifications:
* Experience with AI/AN Communities: Preferred experience working with American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) communities or strong familiarity with their culture, values, and the challenges they face.
* Essette Experience (Required): Demonstrated use of Essette or a similar case management system in a behavioral health, peer support, or human services setting.
* Knowledge of Community Resources: Familiarity with local and regional resources, social services, and support networks. Ability to connect clients to relevant services and ensure effective service delivery.
* Communication Skills: Strong verbal and written communication skills. Proficient in motivational interviewing, active listening, and using feedback, empathy, and validation to build trust and engage clients.
* Person\-Centered Planning: Skilled in person\-centered planning to empower clients to take ownership of their goals, identify strengths, and create achievable, client\-driven plans.
* Systems Navigation: Expertise in navigating complex systems and understanding eligibility requirements, program guidelines, and service coordination to ensure client access to necessary services.
* Cultural Competency: Commitment to cultural humility and sensitivity, especially when working with AI/AN communities, and ability to integrate culturally relevant practices into client care.
* Critical Thinking and Problem\-Solving: Strong analytical skills to assess client needs, identify barriers, and develop practical solutions for challenges related to health, housing, employment, and legal issues.
* Collaboration and Teamwork: Ability to work effectively with multidisciplinary teams, fostering cooperative relationships with social workers, healthcare providers, and community service professionals.
* Client Empowerment and Advocacy: Skilled in advocating for clients, ensuring they are supported in making informed decisions and navigating challenges within service systems.
* Ethical and Professional Standards: Adherence to ethical guidelines, including those outlined by the International Association of Peer Supporters (IAPS), maintaining professional boundaries and client dignity.
* Technology Proficiency: Proficient with electronic health records (EHR), Microsoft Office Suite, and virtual platforms like Zoom. Familiar with privacy regulations, including HIPAA.
* Education \& Licensure:
* Minimum: High school diploma or GED.
* Preferred: College coursework or a degree in a relevant field (e.g., social work, psychology).
* Required: Valid driver’s license and proof of liability insurance.
* Training and Certification: Preferred completion of peer support or recovery coach certifications (e.g., Colorado Combined Core Competencies). Ongoing participation in professional development related to cultural competence, trauma\-informed care, and mental health recovery.
Physical Requirements:
The physical demands and environment described here are representative of those required to successfully perform the essential functions of this position:
Office Work:
- Ability to work in a standard office environment, utilizing a computer, phone, and other office equipment for extended periods. Tasks may include typing, managing digital records, scheduling meetings, and preparing reports.
- This may involve long periods of sitting or standing assisting staff, responding to emails, or attending virtual meetings. Occasional movement around the office will be required for organizing materials, setting up meeting spaces, or working with other departments.
- Ability to navigate various office environments, community centers, nonprofit locations, and external partner sites. This may include attending meetings, community events, or site visits are being met and services are delivered effectively.
- May involve walking, climbing stairs, or moving between different rooms, floors, or buildings while coordinating activities or meeting with service providers, stakeholders, and clients. Must maintain a professional demeanor.
- Ability to travel locally to attend meetings, visit partner locations, attend community events, or oversee service delivery at different sites. This may include driving to multiple locations, overseeing operations at community\-based or nonprofit partner sites, and conducting in\-person visits to ensure that clients and staff have the support they need.
- Occasional travel to remote or rural locations may be required, particularly for outreach, site visits, or assessing new partnership opportunities.
- Must possess a valid driver’s license and proof of liability insurance to operate a vehicle for work\-related travel, including local client visits, partner site meetings, and community outreach.
- Ability to lift and carry office supplies, materials, or small equipment (up to 50 pounds) for operational needs. This may include transporting event materials, office supplies, resource guides, promotional materials, or documents for meetings or community outreach activities.
- In some instances, the role may require assisting with event setups, transporting presentation materials, or managing logistics for meetings, conferences, or organizational events.
- Must be adaptable to varying work conditions, including handling multiple tasks, meeting time\-sensitive deadlines, and responding to changing priorities.
- Occasional travel to external locations, such as client homes, community centers, or service provider offices, may require flexibility in scheduling.
- Must be willing to meet with clients, attend community events, or provide operational support during non\-traditional hours, including evenings or weekends, as needed. This may include emergency operational support, crisis response, or handling urgent requests from staff or external partners.
- There may be occasional logistical or administrative tasks related to client\-facing activities. This could include coordinating outreach events, assisting with community engagement, or supporting program managers with operational tasks related to client services.
- Ability to work with internal teams, community partners, and stakeholders in a variety of settings, including in\-person visits, team meetings, and virtual communications, as required.
- Paid time off
- Paid time off
Physical Mobility:
Travel and Site Visits:
Lifting and Carrying:
Flexible Schedule:
Client and Team Support:
*NOTE: This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or qualifications associated with the job.*
Western Slope Native American Resources (WSNARC) is a private, non\-profit organization that does not discriminate in employment based on race, color, creed, religion, age, sex, national origin, physical handicap, marital status, or sexual preference. However, WSNARC does adhere philosophically and as required to the Indian Preference Act, Title 25 CFR, Section 472\. Western Slope Native American Resources (WSNARC) is a smoke\-free, Drug/Alcohol\-Free work environment. As a precursor to employment, applicants must agree to a stringent background check at the WSNARC Board of Directors' discretion and verify references and other information the applicant provides.
Job Type: Full\-time
Benefits:
People with a criminal record are encouraged to apply
Work Location: In person
Pay: $24\.99 \- $25\.00 per hour
Benefits:
Work Location: In person