Act peer support specialist

About the role

This position will have a history of mental health or substance use issues and will have received services at some point in their history. The Peer Support Specialist will share their life experiences in the work with Community Counseling Solutions (CCS) clients. This position will work with clients in the Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) Program located in Umatilla County. The Peer Support Specialist will understand and respect each client’s point of view, experiences and preferences, and work with other CCS staff to maximize client choice, self-determination and decision making in the planning and delivery of treatment. They will provide peer counseling and consultation to individuals, families and other staff as needed, and provide rehabilitation and support functions as needed.

Responsibilities

• Provide peer counseling and support, drawing on common experiences as a peer, validate clients’ experiences and provide guidance and encouragement to clients to take responsibility and actively participate in their own recovery; serve as a mentor to clients to promote hope and empowerment.
• Provide individual and group skills training.
• Co-facilitate the weekly Dual Diagnosis Groups.
• Ensure accurate, timely and complete documentation of all clinical documents and subsequent data entry when required.
• Help clients and family members identify, understand, and combat stigma and discrimination associated with mental illness and develop strategies to reduce self-stigma.
• Increase awareness of and support client and family participation in consumer self-help services and programs.
• Participate in daily ACT Team meetings to discuss client progress and goals.
• Participate in other CCS clinical meetings and trainings as required.
• Participate as requested in individual and group clinical supervision specific to the ACT Team, as well as other required weekly and monthly supervision meetings.
• Provide cross-training to team members twice annually.
• Provide support to clients who are in crisis by spending time with them in their home or while at an emergency room or office setting.
• Provide peer support services, working in tandem with the ACT or Crisis Teams, until the crisis is resolved, or alternative placement options are secure.
• Provide transportation to clients when clinically recommended to assist client in access to services.
• Provide after-hours phone support to ACT clients on a rotating basis for seven days at a time.
• Report any suspicions of abuse to the appropriate department, complete documentation, and create safety plans as necessary.

Requirements

• No minimum education or experience required.
• Must attend Intentional Peer Support (IPS) training within 60 days of the start date and 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 position.
• Must have the ability to effectively communicate orally and in writing.
• Ability to develop positive working relationships with team members, co-workers, community partners, and the public.
• Ability to represent CCS within the community and at State or regional meetings, including the ability to speak in public.
• Knowledge, understanding and willingness to adhere to confidentiality laws and expectations.
• Must be able to work independently, without constant and strict supervision.
• Must possess conflict resolution skills.
• Ability and willingness to be at work on time and follow direction from a supervisor.
• Must have good typing skills, have knowledge of basic office software programs and ability to effectively use such software.
• Must be able to communicate effectively in both written and oral formats.
• Must have the ability to present and exchange information internally across teams and co-workers, and externally with customers and the public. Information communicated ranges from routine/basic to complex and confidential information.

Certifications

• Must pass all criminal history check requirements as required by ORS 181.536-181.537 and in accordance with OAR 410-007-0200 through 410-007-0380.
• In addition to a pre-employment background check, each employee, volunteer and contractor shall be checked on a monthly basis against the OIG and GSA exclusion lists, as well as other federal and state agency lists. If it is discovered that an employee, volunteer or contractor is excluded or sanctioned it will be the cause for immediate termination of employment, volunteering, or the termination of the contract.
• Pre-hire drug screen required.

Physical demands

• Regularly required to use office automation including computer and phone system that requires fine manipulation, grasping, typing, and reaching.
• Sitting for several hours reviewing reports and other written materials, and talking on phone.
• Occasionally required to lift up to ten (10) pounds.
• Occasionally required to reach, bend, kneel and squat when adjusting equipment or retrieving supplies.
• Must be able to participate in vehicle travel between business offices, client homes, in the community, and to attend required meetings and/or trainings.

Work environment

• Work is performed in an office environment and in many community settings such as schools, client homes, hospitals, jails, other public agencies and community groups in a variety of locations.
• The noise level is usually moderate, but occasionally may be exposed to loud noise such as raised voice levels and alarms.
• Exposed to everyday risks or discomforts which require normal safety precautions typical of such places as an office (e.g., moving mechanical parts, airborne particles, and electrical shock).

Pay

$21.15 – $30.53 per hour, depending on experience. Eligible for a 10% increase if bilingual (added to pay after language test is passed).

Benefits

• Health, dental and vision insurance.
• 6% initial 401(k) match.
• Potential for tuition reimbursement.
• Paid vacation tiers ranging from accrual of 1 day to 4 days per month (annual rollover cap of 220 hours; additional hours can be paid out at 50% at the end of the fiscal year).
• 9 paid holidays.
• Community service day.
• Floating holiday and 2 mental health days provided after 1 year of service.
• Employee assistance program.
• Wellness benefits.
• Dependent care and long-term disability insurance.

Schedule

Full-time, non-exempt position with expectation to work 40 hours per week. After-hours phone support provided on a rotating basis for seven days at a time.

Additional information

$5,500 hiring bonus available until 10/31/26 (2-year commitment, staggered-taxed payout). Must hold a valid driver’s license as well as personal auto insurance for privately owned vehicles utilized for CCS business, with proof of $300,000 or more liability coverage for bodily injury and $100,000 or more for property damage.