Recovery Mentor - Supportive Housing (overnight) $22.44 - $29.91+ DOE

Volunteers of America Oregon•Portland, OR

8d•$22 - $30•Onsite

About The Position

The Recovery Mentor provides peer support to clients in supportive housing by building supportive relationships, facilitating individualized goal setting, and connecting individuals with resources and treatment services. The role combines direct client engagement, crisis intervention, care coordination, and administrative responsibilities to promote recovery, stability, and self-determination using trauma-informed, person-centered, and harm reduction approaches. This is an overnight position scheduled from 10:00 p.m. to 6:30 a.m., based in Portland, Oregon, with local travel within the Portland metro area required for up to 30% of work time. Occasional overnight travel may be necessary for training, meetings, or other business needs. The position requires a current Certified Recovery Mentor credential through MHACBO or Peer Support Specialist certification through the Oregon Health Authority, or the ability to obtain the required credential within three months of hire. Candidates must have lived experience qualifying for the applicable credential and meet eligibility criteria for enrollment as an Oregon Medicaid provider. A high school diploma or GED is preferred. The role has no supervisory responsibilities, though the mentor may provide guidance to interns. Full-time employees are eligible for benefits subject to plan terms and eligibility requirements. Benefits include medical coverage with employer-paid premiums covering 71%–89% of employee-only coverage, optional dental and vision coverage at employee cost, employer-provided life insurance and short- and long-term disability coverage, a 403(b) plan with an automatic 5.5% employer contribution after 18 months, paid time off, 80 hours of frontloaded sick time, 10 paid holidays, three personal holidays, eligibility for Public Service Loan Forgiveness, flexible spending accounts, an employee assistance program, voluntary benefits, and employee discounts.

Requirements

Self-identify as having formerly received addiction or mental health services and demonstrate the ability to use that experience professionally in a peer role.
Hold a current MHACBO Certified Recovery Mentor credential or Oregon Health Authority Peer Support Specialist certification, or be able to obtain the required credential within three months of hire.
Meet the lived-experience and other eligibility requirements for the credential being pursued; CRM applicants must self-identify as being in recovery from a substance use disorder, and PSS applicants must have qualifying lived experience as defined by OHA.
Meet eligibility criteria for enrollment as a Medicaid provider in Oregon.
Complete a criminal history background check and receive authorization from the Oregon Background Check Unit.
Not be excluded from federal healthcare programs, including the OIG List of Excluded Individuals/Entities or the SAM exclusion list.
Be legally authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship.
Have an active driver’s license, current insurance, reliable transportation, and meet agency and insurer driver standards.
Have knowledge of recovery processes and pathways, stages of change, peer ethics and boundaries, mandated reporting, confidentiality requirements such as CFR 42 Part 2, trauma-informed care, harm reduction, recovery supports, housing and employment resources, system navigation, documentation, and Feedback Informed Treatment.
Have skills in facilitating peer-led groups, applying personal recovery experience within peer ethics and scope, de-escalating and responding to client needs, safety planning when appropriate, documenting accurately, and communicating with interdisciplinary teams.
Be able to provide compassionate, nonjudgmental support across stages of recovery; work independently while maintaining follow-up; safely transport clients; model emotional regulation and healthy boundaries; recognize signs of relapse, distress, and safety concerns; engage in supervision and professional development; and use feedback and self-reflection to adapt services.
Meet the position’s physical demands, with or without reasonable accommodation, including sitting for extended periods, operating office equipment, communicating in person and by phone, and occasionally standing, walking, bending, and lifting up to 25 pounds.

Nice To Haves

A high school diploma or GED.
Experience working with individuals with co-occurring substance use and mental health concerns.
Experience working with individuals involved in the criminal justice system or experiencing housing instability.
Experience using electronic health records or similar documentation systems.
Experience working in Medicaid-billable peer services or behavioral health settings.
Equivalent combinations of education, training, and experience may satisfy requirements.

Responsibilities

Build and maintain supportive peer relationships grounded in mutual respect, shared lived experience, and recovery principles.
Support clients in identifying and working toward individualized recovery goals related to treatment, housing, employment, education, and wellness.
Provide mentorship using trauma-informed, person-centered, and harm reduction approaches.
Facilitate peer-led recovery groups and structured activities.
Introduce clients to recovery supports, including 12-step, mutual aid, cultural, spiritual, and wellness-based resources.
Help clients navigate behavioral health, social service, and criminal justice systems, including court, probation or parole, child welfare, and medication-assisted treatment.
Conduct outreach and maintain client contact through scheduled sessions, field visits, and phone or text outreach.
Support practical needs such as obtaining identification, applying for benefits, securing housing, and attending appointments.
Transport clients safely to appointments, court, or recovery activities using agency vehicles.
Observe clients for signs of relapse, intoxication, withdrawal, or behavioral escalation and follow agency safety protocols.
Respond to crises with de-escalation strategies and peer-appropriate interventions; assist with emergency response such as Narcan or CPR if trained.
Maintain accurate and timely documentation in the electronic health record.
Obtain and track Release of Information forms to support coordination and information sharing with external partners.
Collaborate with interdisciplinary staff and community partners to coordinate treatment efforts, care plans, problem-solving, and quality of care.
Use client feedback and outcome-monitoring tools, including Feedback Informed Treatment, to improve services.
Model recovery values through ethical behavior, emotional regulation, and appropriate boundaries.
Participate in supervision, team meetings, and professional development.
Complete administrative tasks, including checking email, responding to phone calls, managing appointments, and maintaining documentation.
Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

Medical insurance with employer-paid premiums covering 71%–89% of employee-only coverage; employee costs start at $66.23 per paycheck.
Optional dental and vision coverage at employee cost.
Employer-provided life insurance.
Short- and long-term disability coverage.
403(b) retirement plan with an automatic 5.5% employer contribution after 18 months, regardless of employee contribution.
Paid time off accrual 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 and resetting annually on January 1.
10 paid holidays each year.
Three personal holidays, prorated in the first year.
Potential eligibility for Public Service Loan Forgiveness through the organization’s 501(c)(3) status.
Flexible spending accounts.
Employee assistance program.
Access to voluntary benefits and employee discounts.