Peer Support Specialist - HS061

Native American Rehabilitation Assoc. of the NW•Portland, OR

3d•Onsite

About The Position

The Peer Support Specialist is a fully integrated member of the housing team, bringing lived experience and expertise about recovery, symptom management, and the persistence needed to lead a satisfying life. The role helps foster a team culture that recognizes and respects each participant’s perspective, experiences, and preferences within the context of Native American and Alaska Native culture. The specialist provides peer counseling and consultation to individual and family Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) participants and team staff, connects participants with community resources, and assists with behavioral health services, education, family support, and crisis intervention under clinical supervision. Services may take place in participants’ residences or elsewhere in the community. This position serves single adults and families who have experienced unsheltered homelessness. NARA Northwest provides culturally appropriate education, physical and mental health services, and substance abuse treatment to American Indians, Alaska Natives, and others in need. The organization has over 450 employees and operates programs including medical and dental care, addiction treatment, housing assistance, and enrichment initiatives. The position is located at River House in Portland, Oregon, and is scheduled Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. It is a non-exempt hourly role, with a wage range of $21.58 to $29.24 per hour. NARA NW requires employees to comply with its sobriety policies, including refraining from illicit drug use, marijuana use, prescription drug abuse, and modeling alcohol sobriety. Employees must sign the organization’s Drug-Free/Alcohol-Free Workplace Certification and Modeling Sobriety Policy forms as a condition of employment.

Requirements

High school diploma, GED, or equivalent.
Must self-identify as a current or former recipient of behavioral health services and be willing to share lived experience as appropriate.
Must have completed Peer Wellness Training approved by the Oregon Health Authority and qualify for Peer Support Specialist certification within six months of hire, or qualify for credentialing as a Certified Recovery Mentor through MHACCBO.
Knowledge and understanding of mental illness, addictions, and physical health, and ability to work within an integrated system of care program.
Exceptional interpersonal communication skills and ability to engage positively with participants to promote strengths and improve health and well-being, and to collaborate with an integrated team to coordinate care.
Flexibility, confidentiality, demonstrated ability and ongoing commitment to maintaining professional boundaries with participants, the community, and staff, and ability to work professionally and collaboratively in a team environment.
Must be able to perform CPR and First Aid; certifications are required and must remain current.
Valid driver’s license, good driving record, and access to reliable personal transportation.
Ability to pass pre-employment or for-cause drug tests and criminal background and DMV checks.
Must comply with NARA NW sobriety policies and sign the required workplace certification and policy forms as a condition of employment.

Nice To Haves

Experience working with the Native American/Alaska Native community is considered a plus.
Preference in hiring is given to qualified Native Americans in accordance with the Indian Preference Act.

Responsibilities

Serve as a role model, share lived experience as appropriate, and inspire hope in participants’ recovery.
Provide practical support, mentoring, advocacy, coordination, individualized side-by-side assistance, problem solving, direct assistance, and supervision to help participants obtain necessities of daily living.
Help participants access medical and dental care, legal and advocacy services, financial support and entitlements, money-management services, and transportation.
Promote awareness of and participation in consumer self-help programs, culturally specific services, and consumer advocacy organizations that support recovery.
Assist with ongoing assessment of participants’ support-service needs and recommend appropriate changes to service plans as needs, including behavioral health needs, change.
Assist in providing individual, group, and family clinical services in community settings to teach symptom-management techniques and promote personal growth and development.
Support participants in establishing and effectively using a primary care physician, dentist, and other medical specialists as needed.
Organize and lead individual and group social and recreational activities that help participants structure their time, increase social experiences, practice social skills, and attend cultural activities.
Collaborate with participants, NARA staff, and team members while maintaining professional boundaries and treating everyone with respect and dignity.
Act as a liaison with community resources and provide peer counseling and consultation to participants, families, and team staff.
Assist with behavioral health services, education, family support, and crisis intervention under clinical supervision.

Benefits

15 paid holidays, including the employee’s birthday.
Medical, dental, and vision insurance through Kaiser Permanente for employees working 20 or more hours per week.
13 paid days of sick time.
13 paid days of paid time off, with vacation accrual increasing with years of service to a maximum of 26 days.
$50,000 life insurance and AD&D coverage.
Short-term and long-term disability coverage.
Flexible Spending Account.
Health Spending Account.
401(k) with 4% match.
Employee Assistance Program.
Inclement weather days (snow days).
Public Student Loan Forgiveness eligibility.