Peer Support Specialist/Counselor (Multilingual)/Parent Education Instructor

About the role

This position combines the unique perspective of lived experience with professional skills in parent education and family support. The Peer Support Specialist / Parent Education Instructor supports families through parenting education groups, peer-to-peer, and individualized support in homes and community settings throughout Yamhill County. By drawing on both formal training and personal experience as a parent/caregiver navigating child-serving systems, the specialist empowers families to strengthen protective factors, increase resilience, and access resources that promote safety, stability, and positive outcomes for children.

This is a full-time role for 37.5 hours per week, with evening and some weekend hours. Approximately 22.5 hours per week will be spent as a Peer Support Specialist and 15 hours per week as a Parent Education Instructor.

Responsibilities

• Assess parental capacities as related to child safety and well-being, and unmet basic needs.
• Help family members overcome barriers and identify strengths.
• Refer clients to supportive services to supplement treatment and counseling as appropriate.
• Provide in-home peer-based support, encouragement, and advocacy to families experiencing challenges, modeling trust and mutual respect.
• Offer supportive services and guidance to parents and caregivers in areas such as communication, home management, stress reduction, budgeting, and parenting strategies.
• Conduct outreach and build connections with families, ensuring services are culturally responsive and accessible.
• Collaborate with DHS, schools, behavioral health providers, and other community partners to coordinate services and support family goals.
• Prepare and facilitate parenting education groups using approved curriculum and promote active family engagement.
• Coordinate logistics for parent education sessions, including registration, materials, food/snacks, and communication with families.
• Oversee and support childcare providers during group sessions, ensuring a safe and nurturing environment for children.
• Work a flexible schedule to meet families’ needs.

Requirements

• Ability to read, write, and speak fluently in both English and Spanish is required.
• Must be at least 18 years of age.
• Ability to travel throughout Yamhill County to meet families’ needs.
• Strong group facilitation, peer support, and communication skills.
• Open to reflective practice (i.e., has capacity for introspection, communicates awareness of self in relation to others, recognizes value of supervision, etc.).
• Ability to work with parents and their children in a warm, calming, respectful, encouraging, and patient manner.
• Ability to work effectively with data and computer systems.
• A valid driver’s license, car insurance, and reliable vehicle are required.
• High School Diploma or GED and one year of experience working with youth and families and facilitating parenting education groups or adult education workshops.
• Must have lived experience as the primary caregiver to a child with mental health or behavioral health needs.
• Personal lived experience with mental health and/or addiction recovery preferred.
• Experience working with systems-involved families (i.e., ODHS, juvenile justice, courts, housing) preferred.
• Current certification as an Oregon Traditional Health Worker Peer Support Specialist, or completed within 60 days of hire (training is provided).
• Current adult and pediatric CPR & First Aid and Oregon Food Handler’s Card or completed within 60 days of hire (training is provided).

Benefits

• A 37.5-hour work week to ensure work/life balance.
• Medical, dental, vision, and prescription benefits to keep you and your loved ones healthy.
• Employer-paid short- and long-term disability insurance.
• Life insurance coverage at no cost to you.
• Up to 2 weeks of vacation in your first year (based on hours worked).
• Up to 2 weeks of sick leave (based on hours worked).
• 12 paid agency-recognized holidays.
• 2 floating holidays to use your way.
• 403(b) retirement plan with employer matching (eligibility applies).
• Access to our Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for you and your family.
• Potential eligibility for Student Loan Forgiveness through our 501(c)(3) nonprofit status.