Peer Support Specialist

*Title:Peer Support Specialist

Wage Range:$20.55 $27.85NonExempt

If you are a motivated and dedicatedPeer Support Specialistlooking for an opportunity to contribute to an organization making a positive impact we want to hear from you!

At NARA NW youll find a supportive and inclusive work environment where every member of our team is valued and respected. Whether youre passionate about healthcare behavioral health education or social services theres a place for you to make a positive impact.

Company Mission:

The mission of NARA NW is to provide education physical mental health services and substance abuse treatment that is culturally appropriate to American Indians Alaska Natives and anyone in need.

About the Company:

At NARA NW we provide essential services and support to Native American and Alaska Native people empowering them to lead healthy fulfilling lives. As an organization rooted in cultural heritage and community values we offer a unique and rewarding opportunity to make a direct positive impact in the lives of others.

We have over 400 employees in a wide range of programs and services including medical and dental care addiction treatment housing assistance and cultural enrichment programs there are endless opportunities to grow and thrive in your career while making a difference in the lives of others.

Position Overview:

The Peer Support Specialist functions as a fully integrated member of the housing team to provide expertise about the recovery process symptom management and the persistence required by participants to have a satisfying life. The Peer Support Specialist collaborates to promote a team culture that recognizes understands and respects each participants point of view experiences and preferences within the context of Native American/Alaska Native culture. They provide peer counseling and consultation to individual and family PSH participants and team staff; acts as a liaison with community resources; carries out support functions; and assists in behavioral health services education support and consultation to families and crisis intervention under clinical supervision. These services may occur in individual residences or at other points in the community. This position will work specifically with families and youth with a history of chronic homelessness who are residing in PSHdesignated units.

What you will do:

• Openly identify as a person who has lived the experience of receiving behavioral health services. Act as a role model to inspire hope and share life experiences as appropriate to the recovery process.
• Provide expertise and consultation from a consumer perspective to the entire team concerning each participants unique and subjective experience and perceptions.
• Provide practical help and supports mentoring advocacy coordination side by side individualized support problem solving direct assistance and supervision to help participants obtain the necessities of daily living including medical and dental health care; legal and advocacy services; financial support such as entitlements (SSI SSDI veterans benefits); moneymanagement services (e.g. payee services); and transportation.
• Increase awareness of and support participation in consumer selfhelp programs culturally specific services and consumer advocacy organizations that promote recovery.
• Assist in the provision of ongoing assessment of PSH participants support service needs and suggest appropriate changes in service plans to ensure that appropriate services are provided in response to changes in needs including behavioral health needs.
• Assist in the provision of direct clinical services to participants on an individual group and family basis in community settings to teach symptommanagement techniques and promote personal growth and development.
• Provide nutrition education and assistance with meal planning grocery shopping and food preparation.
• Ensure that participants have adequate financial support (help to gain employment and apply for entitlements)

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Requires a high school diploma GED or equivalent.
• Must selfidentify as a current or former recipient of behavioral health services and be willing to share lived experiences as appropriate.
• Must have completed a Peer Wellness Training approved by The Oregon Health Authority (OHA) and qualify to be certified as a Peer Support Specialist within six months of hire date or qualify to be credentialed 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.
• Requires exceptional interpersonal communication skills and the ability to engage and interact positively with participants to promote strengths and improve health and well being and to work collaboratively as part of an integrated team to coordinate care.
• Requires flexibility confidentiality demonstrated ability and ongoing commitment to the maintenance of professional boundaries with participants the community and other staff members and the proven ability to work professionally and collaboratively in a team environment treating everyone with respect and dignity at all times.
• If in recovery from substance abuse must have a minimum of two years sobriety/clean time.
• Ability to pass a preemployment or for cause drug tests.
• Ability to pass criminal background and DMV checks.
• Must be able to perform CPR and First Aid. CPR/ First Aid certifications are required and must remain current.
• Must demonstrate a high degree of comfort working with individuals actively experiencing symptoms of mental illness
• Competent with computers for word processing internet email and scheduling or able to learn these skills.
• Must have a valid drivers license in the state of Oregon or effectively use public transportation to travel independently in the programs service area.
• Ability to report to work reliably and in a timely fashion.

Sobriety Statement:

NARA NW is fully committed to supporting sobriety. To support NARA NW in its mission all employees agree to refrain from illicit drug use use and prescription drug abuse both on and off the job. In addition all employees agree to model alcohol sobriety. Modeling alcohol sobriety means not consuming discussing or promoting the use of alcohol on the job on social media and when in the community where the employee would be likely to be seen by NARA NW clients or community. If in recovery employees must have been sober/clean for a length of time sufficient to demonstrate that they will be able to remain sober.

Consistent with NARA NWs sobriety policy all employees volunteers interns and contractors as applicable are required to sign a DrugFree/AlcoholFree Workplace Certification Form and NARA NW Modeling Sobriety Policy Form as a condition of employment to confirm that they are aware of this policy and that they agree to comply with it. Violation of this policy will result in disciplinary action up to and including termination of employment. This policy is subject to the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act and its state counterpart

PREFERRED BUT NOT REQUIRED

• Experience working with individuals diagnosed with severe and persistent mental illness.
• Experience working within the Native American/Alaska Native community is considered a plus.
• At least one year of experience as a Peer Specialist Certified Recovery Mentor or one year of experience working/volunteering in a helping profession.

Whats in it for you

14 Paid Holidays:New Years Martin Luther King Day Presidents Day Memorial Day Juneteenth Battle of Little Big Horn 4^thof July Labor Day United Indigenous Day Veterans Day Thanksgiving Day after Thanksgiving Christmas and Employees Birthday!

Benefits:Employees working 20 hours or more are eligible for benefits. Benefits are effective from the 1st of the month following the date of hire.

• Affordable Medical Dental and Vision Insurance through Kaiser Permanente
• 14 Paid Federal Holidays (Listed Above)
• 13 Paid Days of Sick Time
• 13 Paid Days of PTO (Vacation accruals increase with years of service to a maximum of 26 days)
• $50000 Life Insurance & AD&D
• Short Term and LongTerm Disability
• Flexible Spending Account
• Health Spending Account
• 401(k) with 4 Match
• Employee Assistance Program
• Inclement Weather Days (Snow Days)
• Referral Program (Up to $1000 Dollars)
• Company Phone
• Company Laptop
• Public Student Loan Forgiveness NARA NW is a local 501(c)3 nonprofit FQHC

How to apply:

1. To Quick Apply go toCareers NARA NW (naranorthwest)
2. Look for the position you want to apply for and submit a resume (Required) and cover letter (Not required) thats all!
3. Feel free to contactif you have any questions or would like to know where your application is in the process.

NARA NW is fully committed to supporting sobriety. To support NARA NW in its mission all employees agree to refrain from illicit drug use use and prescription drug abuse both on and off the job. In addition all employees agree to model alcohol sobriety. Modeling alcohol sobriety means not consuming discussing or promoting the use of alcohol on the job on social media and when in the community where the employee would be likely to be seen by NARA NW clients or community. If in recovery employees must have been sober/clean for a length of time sufficient to demonstrate that they will be able to remain sober.

Consistent with NARA NWs sobriety policy all employees volunteers interns and contractors as applicable are required to sign a DrugFree/AlcoholFree Workplace Certification Form and NARA NW Modeling Sobriety Policy Form as a condition of employment to confirm that they are aware of this policy and that they agree to comply with it. Violation of this policy will result in disciplinary action up to and including termination of employment. This policy is subject to the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act and its state counterpart.

This job description is not intended to be and should not be construed as an allinclusive list of all the responsibilities skills or working conditions associated with the position. While it is intended to accurately reflect the positions activities and requirements the agency reserves the right to modify add or remove duties and assign other duties as necessary.

Preference in hiring is given to qualified Native Americans in accordance with the Indian Preference Act (Title 25 US Code Sections 472 and 473. NARA Northwest is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Within the scope of Indian Preference all candidates will receive equal consideration. Experience working with Native American/ Alaska Native community is considered a plus.