On-call Participant Support Specialist

PURPOSE. DIGNITY. ACTION.

On-Call Participant Support Specialist

PURPOSE. DIGNITY. ACTION. (PDA) 

PDA strives to build robust support for non-punitive, community-based solutions to many public safety issues. With neighborhood and public partners and in partnership with community members actively seeking to move past experiences of harm and injury, we design and deliver widely supported initiatives that promote safety, restoration, and racial equity.                                                  

Who We Are 

Formed in 1969 as The Defender Association to provide high-quality legal defense for civil rights activists in Seattle, in 2013, we began to concentrate exclusively on alternative public safety models when King County created an in-house public defense program. PDA remained independent to carry on the work of our Racial Disparity Project, which had helped to design LEAD, the nation’s first pre-booking diversion model for drug-related offenses. In 2021, we adopted a Co-Executive Director structure, recognizing the value of power-sharing, multiple voices, and perspectives at the leadership level. Our multicultural team of lawyers, organizers, project managers, social workers, direct service providers, and administrative staff blends professional and technical skills with lived experience of the systems we’re working to change.  

CoLEAD Background 
CoLEAD developed from the LEAD framework to provide intensive case management in non-congregate shelter facilities for people who are at high risk of exposure to the criminal legal system; all participants experience substance use disorder and high barriers to housing and establishing a lawful income source. CoLEAD connects hundreds of participants to primary care, prevents overdoses (no participant has died of an overdose since we launched in Spring 2020), establishes permanent housing plans, and provides legal system coordination under the LEAD model. While our services are low-barrier, our case management team implements recovery supports aligned with the SAMHSA recovery framework, including health care (physical and behavioral), connection, and addressing recovery obstacles that can impede stabilization and hope for progress.

Position Description:

The On-Call Participant Support position provides flexible, as-needed on-call support in CoLEAD temporary lodging sites. On-Call Participant Support staff do not carry a caseload and do not have a set schedule. Instead, they focus on meeting the day-to-day needs of program participants (PTs), supporting safe and stable lodging environments, and assisting with daily operations, engagement, and PT and facility wellbeing.  
 
On-Call Participant Support staff work as part of a multidisciplinary care team and provide participant-centered, trauma-responsive, and harm-reduction-based support. This role is ideal for individuals who want flexible, on-call work while supporting participants with complex needs in a Housing First, low-barrier setting.  
 
On-Call Participant Support staff are required to pick up a minimum of three (3) shifts per month. Additional shifts may be available based on program needs.

Essential Job Functions:

Participant Support & Engagement

• Provide on-site, day-to-day temporary lodging support to participants living in CoLEAD temporary lodging sites using a trauma-responsive and harm-reduction approach.
• Support participants with daily activities such as room audit support, room inspections, room moves, and general lodging stability.
• Distribute resources to PTs.
• Document PT engagement in alignment with CoLEAD standards.
• Engage participants in a respectful, non-judgmental manner and help de-escalate conflict or challenging situations when they arise.
• Support overdose prevention efforts, including awareness of overdose risk and responding appropriately according to program protocols.

Lodging & Operations Support

• Support daily operations, including coordination with facility operations staff and reporting maintenance or safety concerns.
• Help maintain a lodging environment that is clean, calm, affirming, and conducive to participant stability.
• Support adherence to CoLEAD Lodging Agreement rules and program expectations through engagement, coaching, and redirection when needed.
• Assist in reducing illicit activity that may have community impact while maintaining a participant-centered, harm-reduction approach.
• Communicate relevant observations or concerns to supervisors or assigned case management staff.

 
Data Management & Documentation

• Complete basic documentation, shift notes, and incident reports per policy.
• Comply with agency policies, confidentiality requirements, and all applicable laws and procedures.
• Complete required operational tasks such as turning in receipts and paperwork in a timely manner.

 
Other Duties

• Attend required trainings, briefings, or meetings as required
• Perform other duties as assigned to support program operations and participant wellbeing.

Essential Job Qualifications:

Experience

• Experience supporting individuals who face barriers engaging with traditional systems, including those impacted by homelessness, behavioral health challenges, substance use, or the criminal legal system.
• Experience working in customer service, hospitality, peer support, outreach, youth development, behavioral health, or community-based settings is an asset but not required.

 
Knowledge & Skills

• Be a positive, collaborative, and engaged team member during shifts.
• Ability to work effectively with participants displaying a wide range of behaviors.
• Ability to remain calm, respectful, and flexible in dynamic or stressful situations.
• Commitment to harm reduction and participant-centered care.
• Strong communication skills and ability to work collaboratively as part of a team.
• Ability to follow policies, procedures, and direction while exercising good judgment.

 
Scheduling & On-Call Expectations

• This is an on-call position with no guaranteed hours.
• Staff must pick up at least three (3) Day or Swing shifts or two (2) Overnight Shifts per month
• Shifts may include days, evenings, weekends, or holidays based on program needs.

Location

Shifts are located in CoLEAD Temporary Lodging locations, which are located throughout King County.
Current locations are in Northgate, Lake City Way, and Capitol Hill, but future shifts may not be restricted to those locations.

Benefits include:

• Sick, Safe, and Personal Time is accrued on an hourly basis (1hour per 40 hours worked).
• Access to PDA trainings and professional development opportunities.

This is a Fair Labor Standards Act non-exempt, at-will position; continuation in the position depends on both performance and funding.

Equal Opportunity Employer

PDA is committed to a policy of equal opportunity and fosters an environment free of barriers and discriminatory practices. PDA actively promotes mutual respect, acceptance, teamwork, and productivity. PDA is committed to maintaining an organization whose staff, Board, and clients are diverse in background, experience, race, color, national origin, gender, age, religious affiliation, marital status, sexual identity, sensory, mental or physical abilities, veteran status, and other qualities that strengthen the program while reinforcing its commitment to basic fairness. People of color, those directly impacted by the criminal justice system, people who identify as queer, trans, lesbian, gay, or bisexual, and those with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply. Individuals needing a reasonable accommodation for the application or interview process should contact [email protected].

How to Apply

Submit your cover letter and resume. Please Note: Only applicants under consideration will be contacted. No phone calls, please.