ACT PEER SUPPORT SPECIALIST

About the role

This position is for individuals with a history of mental health or substance use issues who have received services in the past. The Peer Support Specialist will share their lived experiences to support Community Counseling Solutions (CCS) clients, working within the Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) Program in Umatilla County. The role emphasizes respecting each client’s perspective, experiences, and preferences while collaborating with staff to maximize client choice, self-determination, and decision-making in treatment planning and delivery.

Responsibilities

• Provide peer counseling and support, drawing on shared experiences to validate clients’ experiences and encourage active participation in recovery; serve as a mentor to promote hope and empowerment.
• Deliver individual and group skills training.
• Co-facilitate weekly Dual Diagnosis Groups.
• Ensure accurate, timely, and complete documentation of clinical documents and data entry as required.
• Help clients and families identify, understand, and combat stigma and discrimination related to mental illness; develop strategies to reduce self-stigma and increase participation in consumer self-help services.
• Participate in daily ACT Team meetings to discuss client progress and goals, as well as other required CCS clinical meetings and trainings.
• Engage in individual and group clinical supervision specific to the ACT Team and other required weekly and monthly supervision meetings.
• Provide cross-training to team members twice annually.
• Support clients in crisis by spending time with them in their homes, emergency rooms, or office settings; collaborate with ACT or Crisis Teams until the crisis is resolved or alternative placements are secured.
• Provide peer support services and transportation to clients when clinically recommended to facilitate access to services.
• Provide after-hours phone support to ACT clients on a rotating seven-day schedule.
• Report suspicions of abuse, complete documentation, and create safety plans as necessary.

Requirements

Qualifications

No minimum education or experience required.

Certifications

• Must attend Intentional Peer Support (IPS) training within 60 days of hire.
• Complete all training requirements to obtain certification within six months of hire.
• Certification must be maintained throughout employment with CCS in the Peer Support Specialist role.

Other Skills and Abilities

• Ability to communicate effectively in writing and orally.
• Ability to develop positive working relationships with team members, co-workers, community partners, and the public.
• Capacity to represent CCS in the community and at state or regional meetings, including public speaking.
• Knowledge of and willingness to adhere to confidentiality laws and expectations.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Strong conflict resolution skills.
• Reliability, punctuality, and willingness to follow supervisor direction.
• Proficiency in typing and basic office software; ability to effectively use such programs.
• Ability to present and exchange information internally across teams and externally with customers and the public, ranging from routine to complex and confidential topics.

Background and Compliance

• Must pass all criminal history check requirements per ORS 181.536–181.537 and OAR 410-007-0200 through 410-007-0380.
• Monthly checks against OIG and GSA exclusion lists and other federal and state agency lists are required; discovery of exclusion or sanction will result in immediate termination.
• Pre-employment drug screen required.

Driver and Insurance Requirements

• Must hold a valid driver’s license and personal auto insurance for vehicles used for CCS business, including client services and travel between offices and the community.
• Proof of liability coverage of at least $300,000 for bodily injury and $100,000 for property damage is required and must be maintained during employment.
• Employee’s insurance is primary; CCS insurance is secondary. CCS reserves the right to deny use of CCS-owned vehicles.

Physical Demands

• Regular use of office automation, including computers and phones requiring fine manipulation, grasping, typing, and reaching.
• Prolonged sitting while reviewing reports and written materials, and talking on the phone.
• Occasional lifting up to 10 pounds.
• Occasional reaching, bending, kneeling, and squatting when adjusting equipment or retrieving supplies.
• Ability to travel by vehicle between offices, client homes, and community locations for meetings and trainings.

Work Environment

• Work is performed in office and community settings such as schools, client homes, hospitals, jails, public agencies, and community groups across various locations.
• Noise levels are usually moderate but may occasionally include raised voices and alarms.
• Exposure to routine office risks (e.g., moving mechanical parts, airborne particles, electrical shock) and everyday safety precautions typical of such environments.

Benefits

• Health, dental, and vision insurance.
• 6% initial 401K match.
• Potential for tuition reimbursement.
• Paid vacation tiers ranging from accrual of 1 day to 4 days per month, with an annual rollover cap of 220 hours; additional hours may be paid out at 50% at fiscal year-end.
• 9 paid holidays plus a community service day.
• Floating holiday and 2 mental health days provided after one year of service.
• Employee Assistance Program, wellness benefits, dependent care, and long-term disability insurance.

Pay

Pay Grade B06: $21.15 – $30.53 per hour, depending on experience.

Eligible for a 10% increase if bilingual, added to pay after passing a language test.

$5,500 hiring bonus available until 10/31/26 with a 2-year commitment and staggered-taxed payout.