PEER SUPPORT SPECIALIST

About the role

This position is open to individuals with lived experience of mental health or substance use issues who have received services at some point in their history. The Peer Support Specialist will share their life experiences to support clients of Community Counseling Solutions (CCS), validate their perspectives, and collaborate with staff to promote client choice, self-determination, and recovery. The role includes providing peer counseling, consultation, and rehabilitation support to individuals, families, and staff.

Responsibilities

• Provide peer counseling and support, drawing on shared experiences to validate clients’ experiences and encourage active participation in their own recovery; serve as a mentor to promote hope and empowerment.
• Ensure accurate, timely, and complete documentation of all clinical documents and subsequent data entry as required.
• Help clients and family members identify, understand, and combat stigma and discrimination associated with mental illness; develop strategies to reduce self-stigma.
• Increase awareness of and support client and family participation in consumer self-help services and programs.
• Assist the supervisor in organizing and leading rehabilitative individual and group activities.
• Participate in clinical meetings to discuss client progress and goals when requested.
• Participate in clinical supervision as requested.
• Provide support to clients in crisis by spending time with them in their home, emergency room, or office setting; work with clinicians until the crisis is resolved or alternative placement is secured.
• Provide transportation to clients when clinically recommended to assist in accessing services.

Requirements

Qualifications

• No minimum education or experience required.
• Must have attended a peer support conference/training.
• Must work toward Peer Certification in Oregon.

Other Skills and Abilities

• 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 public speaking.
• Knowledge of and willingness to adhere to confidentiality laws and expectations.
• Ability to work independently without constant supervision.
• Possess conflict resolution skills.
• Ability and willingness to be punctual and follow supervisor direction.
• Good typing skills and knowledge of basic office software programs.
• Ability to communicate effectively in both written and oral formats, presenting information ranging from routine to complex and confidential.

Background and Compliance

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

Driver and Vehicle Requirements

• Must hold a valid driver’s license and personal auto insurance for privately owned vehicles used for CCS business.
• Must maintain at least $300,000 bodily injury liability and $100,000 property damage liability coverage.
• 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.
• Occasional lifting up to ten (10) pounds.
• Occasional reaching, bending, kneeling, and squatting when adjusting equipment or retrieving supplies.
• Ability to travel between offices, client homes, and community locations as needed.

Work Environment

• Work is performed in office and community settings such as schools, client homes, hospitals, jails, public agencies, and community groups.
• Exposure to moderate noise levels and occasional loud environments (e.g., raised voices, alarms).
• Standard office safety precautions apply; risks include moving mechanical parts, airborne particles, and electrical shock.

Pay

$21.15 – $30.53 per hour, depending on experience. Potential for a 10% bilingual increase if applicable and passing the language test. A $5,500 hiring bonus is available until 10/31/26 with a 2-year commitment and staggered-taxed payout.

Benefits

• Health, dental, and vision insurance.
• 6% initial 401(k) match.
• Potential for tuition reimbursement.
• Paid vacation tiers ranging from 1 to 4 days per month (annual rollover cap of 220 hours; additional hours 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 1 year.
• Workplace flexibility options available (work-from-home hours vary by position and schedule).
• Employee Assistance Program, wellness benefits, dependent care, and long-term disability insurance.