Peer Mentor $22.44+ DOE

Volunteers of America Oregon • Portland, OR

30d • $22 - $30 • Hybrid

About The Position

Since 1896, Volunteers of America Oregon has been dedicated to meeting the needs of our community. Through our innovative programs in behavioral health, addiction treatment, reentry services, and support for children and families, we deliver life-changing services that promote safety, healing, and empowerment. At VOA Oregon, each staff member is part of a compassionate, mission-driven team working collaboratively to create lasting, meaningful, positive change. Every role contributes to the clients we serve and the mission we advance together. This work matters. Are you ready to join an organization committed to service, inclusion, and employee support? Read on to learn more and apply today!
The Peer Mentor is responsible for delivering peer support services to clients in recovery by establishing supportive relationships, facilitating individualized goal setting, and linking individuals to appropriate treatment and essential resources. The role involves direct client engagement, crisis intervention, care coordination, and administrative responsibilities, utilizing trauma‑informed and person‑centered practices to support recovery, stability, and self‑determination.

Requirements

• A high school diploma or GED is required for this position.
• Candidates must have lived experience with substance use recovery and demonstrate the ability to apply that experience effectively in a professional peer support role.
• Must successfully complete a criminal history background check and receive approval from the State of Oregon Background Check Unit.
• Must not be excluded from participation in federal healthcare programs, including but not limited to the Office of Inspector General (OIG) List of Excluded Individuals/Entities and the System for Award Management (SAM) exclusion list.
• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States without employer sponsorship.
• If driving is required for the position, candidates must possess a valid driver’s license, maintain current auto insurance, have reliable transportation, and meet VOA Oregon and insurer driving standards.
• Knowledge of the recovery process, including multiple recovery pathways and stages of change.
• Knowledge of peer ethics and scope of practice, including the MHACBO Code of Conduct, professional boundaries, mandated reporting requirements, and confidentiality standards such as 42 CFR Part 2.
• Knowledge of trauma‑informed care principles and the impact of trauma on substance use, mental health, and recovery.
• Knowledge of recovery supports, harm‑reduction strategies, and community resources related to housing, employment, and wellness.
• Knowledge of behavioral health, criminal justice, and social service systems to assist clients with treatment engagement, legal requirements, and access to services.
• Skill in facilitating peer‑led groups and activities that promote engagement, shared learning, and recovery‑oriented skill building.
• Skill in appropriately using lived recovery experience to model hope, self‑determination, and recovery in alignment with peer role expectations.
• Skill in utilizing peer‑based interventions, de‑escalation techniques, and safety planning to support client well‑being.
• Skill in maintaining accurate, timely documentation and communicating effectively with interdisciplinary team members.
• Ability to provide compassionate, respectful, and nonjudgmental support to individuals at all stages of recovery.
• Ability to work independently while maintaining consistent follow‑up, documentation, and communication.
• Ability to recognize signs of relapse, emotional distress, or safety concerns and respond appropriately.
• Ability to model emotional regulation, professional boundaries, and recovery‑oriented behavior.
• Ability to participate in supervision and ongoing professional development to maintain certification and improve service quality.
• Ability to safely transport clients and maintain driving eligibility in accordance with agency policies.
• Ability to incorporate client feedback and self‑reflection to strengthen peer relationships and improve outcomes.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and/or comparable computer applications.

Nice To Haves

• Experience working with individuals with co‑occurring substance use and mental health conditions is preferred.
• Experience supporting individuals involved in the criminal justice system and/or experiencing housing instability is also preferred.
• Familiarity with electronic health records (EHRs) or similar documentation systems is preferred, as is experience providing Medicaid‑billable peer services or working in behavioral health settings.
• An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience may be considered in lieu of the stated requirements.
• This position requires a current Certified Recovery Mentor (CRM) credential through MHACBO or the ability to obtain certification within six months of hire.
• Candidates pursuing the CRM credential must self‑identify as a person in recovery from a substance use disorder and meet MHACBO eligibility requirements for certification.
• Additionally, applicants must meet all eligibility criteria for enrollment as a Medicaid provider in the state of Oregon.

Responsibilities

• Build and maintain supportive peer relationships grounded in mutual respect, shared lived experience, and recovery principles to promote engagement, hope, and motivation.
• Supports clients in identifying and working toward individualized recovery goals across areas such as treatment engagement, housing, employment, education, and wellness to promote stability and self‑determination.
• Provides peer mentorship and guidance using trauma‑informed, person‑centered, and harm‑reduction approaches to build trust and reduce barriers to care.
• Facilitates peer‑led recovery groups and structured activities that support community building, skill development, and shared accountability.
• Introduces clients to a variety of recovery supports, including 12‑step, mutual aid, cultural, spiritual, and wellness‑based resources, to strengthen connection and support sustained recovery.
• Assists clients in navigating behavioral health, social service, and criminal justice systems (including courts, probation/parole, child welfare, and medication‑assisted treatment) to improve access to services and continuity of care.
• Conducts outreach and maintains consistent client contact through scheduled sessions, field visits, and phone or text communication to promote engagement and service consistency.
• Supports clients with practical needs such as obtaining identification, applying for benefits, securing housing, and attending critical appointments.
• Safely transports clients to appointments, court hearings, and recovery‑related activities using agency vehicles to ensure access to essential services.
• Monitors clients for signs of relapse, intoxication, withdrawal, or behavioral escalation and follows agency protocols to support client safety and program integrity.
• Responds to client crises using peer‑appropriate de‑escalation strategies and assists with emergency interventions (e.g., Narcan administration or CPR) when trained and appropriate.
• Maintains accurate, timely, and compliant documentation in the electronic health record to support continuity of care and meet regulatory requirements.
• Obtains and tracks Releases of Information (ROI) to facilitate coordination of care and appropriate information sharing with external partners.
• Collaborates with interdisciplinary team members—including medical providers, counselors, and case managers—as well as community partners such as court staff, parole officers, and legal representatives to coordinate care, support problem‑solving, and ensure consistent implementation of care plans.
• Incorporates client feedback and outcome monitoring tools (e.g., Feedback‑Informed Treatment [FIT]) to support continuous improvement and client‑centered peer services.
• Models’ recovery values and promotes a recovery‑oriented culture through ethical conduct, emotional regulation, and appropriate professional boundaries.
• Participate in supervision, team meetings, and professional development activities to strengthen skills, maintain certification, and contribute to a collaborative work environment.
• Completes administrative responsibilities, including monitoring email, responding to phone calls, managing schedules, and ensuring timely documentation.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Medical insurance options with employer-paid premiums covering 71%–89% of employee-only coverage, with employee costs starting at $66.23 per paycheck
• Optional dental and vision coverage at employee cost.
• Employer-provided life insurance, along with short- and long-term disability coverage.
• 403(b) retirement plan with an automatic 5.5% employer contribution after 18 months of employment, regardless of employee contribution.
• A generous paid time off (PTO) plan, with accruals of 15 days in the first year, 23 days in the second year, and 26 days in the third year.
• 80 hours of frontloaded sick time (prorated in the first year), resetting annually on January 1.
• 10 paid holidays each year, plus 3 personal holidays (prorated in the first year) to allow employees time off for important holidays, events, or milestones.
• As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, VOA Oregon is a qualified employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program, which may help reduce or eliminate federal student loan debt for employees who meet eligibility requirements.
• Flexible spending accounts, employee assistance program (EAP), and access to other voluntary benefits and employee discounts.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED