Peer Support Specialist, Young Adults in Transition

Deschutes County Human Resources • Bend, OR

2d • Hybrid

About The Position

Deschutes County is currently accepting applications for a Peer Support Specialist (PSS) that will provide support services to clients in the Young Adults in Transition Program. PSS are fully integrated team members who provide highly individualized services and support to clients with co-occurring needs. The goal of services is to help individuals be as independent as they can be, and to improve quality of life as they access support for mental health diagnosis and related struggles/symptoms across domains. Services provided will be performed in a wide variety of settings in the community such as professional and private facilities, client homes, offices and clinics, and will include drop-in centers, outreach services, system navigation, coordination, screenings, cultivating and linking to supports, resource acquisition, coaching, problem solving, skill development, and education.

Requirements

• Knowledge of or experience with: The effect of trauma on health, coping and other aspects of client needs.
• Principles of recovery, consumer-involvement and trauma-informed care.
• Modeling personal responsibility and self-care.
• Advocating for clients.
• Teaching coping/life skills.
• Sharing own experiences in appropriate ways.
• Keeping boundaries and forming appropriate relationships with clients.
• Skill in: Performing a wide variety of tasks to assist clients' wellness.
• Communicating effectively both verbally and in writing.
• Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with others at all times.
• Using a personal computer and keyboard.
• Must have a high school diploma or GED equivalent.
• As defined by Oregon Administrative Rule 309-032-1501, a "Peer Support Specialist" provides peer delivered services to an individual or family member with similar life experience, under the supervision of a qualified Clinical Supervisor.
• A Peer Support Specialist must have at least one year of experience: as a self-identified person currently or formerly receiving mental health services; or a self-identified person in recovery from a substance use disorder, who meets the abstinence requirements for recovering staff in alcohol and other drug treatment programs; or a family member of an individual who is a current or former recipient of addictions or mental health services.
• Driving is a requirement for this position.
• Possession of or ability to obtain a valid Oregon driver's license within 30 days of hire date.
• Must have dependable transportation and be willing and able to drive throughout Deschutes County in sometimes adverse weather conditions.
• Must have the ability to work a flexible schedule when needed to meet the needs of the client and department.
• Requires sufficient ambulatory ability to drive throughout Deschutes County and to provide face-to-face services in a variety of settings in the community, including but not limited to hospitals, jails, clinics, client homes, and community and residential settings within required response times; possess sufficient hand coordination to perform keyboarding and data entry; arm/hand movements to retrieve work materials and operate a variety of general office equipment.

Nice To Haves

• Current certification in Oregon as a Certified Traditional Health Worker, Peer Support Specialist.
• Self-identified person currently or formerly receiving mental health services or combined mental health and substance use disorder.
• Bilingual in English and Spanish.
• Must complete an Oregon Health Authority approved Certified Peer Support Specialist training program within four months of hire date.

Responsibilities

• Person-Centered Planning (PCP): supporting individuals in creating wellness plans.
• Understanding Mental Health & Addictions: information toward empathy.
• Group Facilitation: peer-led facilitation skills.
• Utilize approaches and skills to promote resiliency, wellness, empowerment, and effective peer support strategies and practices to facilitate a self-directed recovery process.
• Assist clients in developing the perspectives that promote resiliency and facilitate recovery.

Benefits

• Excellent County benefit package when eligible
• Robust healthcare package covers medical, prescription, dental, and vision coverage at a minimal cost of $100 for employee only and $121 per month for employee plus dependents, which includes an innovative on-site clinic, pharmacy, and wellness and wellbeing services.
• Life insurance
• Retirement (PERS)
• Generous paid time-off (14-18 hours/month to start, pro-rated for part-time)
• Holidays
• Professional development opportunities

What This Job Offers

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