Peer Outreach Specialist for Veterans Suicide Prevention Program

Ridgeview Behavioral Health Services • Oak Ridge, TN

4d

About The Position

RIDGEVIEW Behavioral Health Services, a nonprofit community mental health center, is hiring five full-time Veterans Peer Outreach Specialists for its newly awarded SSGT Fox Suicide Prevention grant, known at Ridgeview as Call Sign HOPE. The specialists will join the program’s startup team and support suicide prevention efforts for veterans in the area. Positions are based at Ridgeview outpatient clinics: one at Oak Ridge serving Anderson County, two at LaFollette serving Campbell, Scott, Union, and Claiborne Counties, and two at Jamestown serving Fentress, Pickett, Clay, Jackson, and Putnam Counties.

The Peer Outreach Specialist is a person in recovery who provides outreach, baseline mental health screenings, and other supports to eligible veterans and their families. The role also provides peer support, helps meet program objectives, co-facilitates support groups and adventure-based activities, delivers community QPR Gatekeeper Training, and offers varying supports to program participants. Veteran status or lived experience serving in the military is highly preferred.

Ridgeview describes itself as a workplace where staff are valued and appreciated and can take pride in their impact on people’s lives. The organization’s mission is expressed as “HOPE | HEALING | RECOVERY” and “Where life's complexities are met with hope.” Ridgeview conducts background checks, motor vehicle records checks, license/degree verification, and drug screens at hire. Employment is contingent upon a clean drug screen, background check, and driving record. Ridgeview is an equal opportunity employer.

Requirements

• Must be a person in recovery.
• High school diploma or GED at minimum.
• If not already a Certified Peer Recovery Specialist, must be qualified and willing to obtain Peer Specialist Certification within one year of hire.
• Tennessee driver’s license required; F endorsement may be obtained within 90 days of hire.
• Employment is contingent upon a clean drug screen, background check, and driving record.

Nice To Haves

• Veteran status or lived experience serving in the military is highly preferred.
• Certified Peer Recovery Specialist certification is preferred, or the candidate must be qualified and willing to obtain Peer Specialist Certification within one year of hire.

Responsibilities

• Provide outreach to eligible veterans and their families.
• Conduct baseline mental health screenings.
• Provide peer support and other varying supports to program participants.
• Assist in meeting program objectives.
• Co-facilitate support groups and adventure-based activities.
• Provide community educational QPR Gatekeeper Training.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• Retirement plan.
• Long-term disability insurance.
• Holiday pay.
• Vacation and sick leave.
• Life insurance.
• Wellness plan.
• Loan repayment may be available for qualified behavioral health and primary health care providers.

What This Job Offers

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