Peer Support Specialist Housing and Residential Programs

Marion County requires on-site work. Remote work is not available.

Do you have lived experience with mental health addiction recovery problem gambling recovery or supporting a family member through recovery Marion County Health and Human Services Housing and Residential Programs (HARP) is seeking a compassionate Peer Support Specialist to use their lived experience to inspire hope promote recovery and empower individuals receiving HARP behavioral health housing services. As an essential member of the person-centered housing planning team you will provide encouragement advocacy and practical support while helping individuals build skills access community resources and achieve their personal recovery goals.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide peer support encouragement and hope to individuals receiving behavioral health services.
• Share lived experience appropriately to model recovery resilience and self-advocacy.
• Assist individuals in developing and achieving personal recovery and wellness goals.
• Conduct outreach and engage individuals experiencing barriers to treatment or services.
• Connect individuals with community resources including healthcare housing transportation education employment and other supports.
• Provide skills training focused on self-efficacy independent living and building natural supports.
• Advocate alongside individuals while helping them develop their own advocacy skills.
• Collaborate with clinical staff and community partners to promote person-centered recovery-oriented care.
• Complete required Oregon Health Authority certifications and continuing education.
• Complete timely documentation and perform other related duties as assigned.

In addition to meaningful work that positively impacts the lives of community members Marion County offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Medical dental and vision coverage
• Paid vacation holidays and sick leave
• Retirement and deferred compensation plans
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and wellness resources
• Professional development certification support and continuing education opportunities

Support Housing Stability

• Assist young adults with referral to YRAP as needed.
• Support young adults to access affordable housing resources.
• Provide supportive navigation advocacy information and coaching during application processes.
• Share lived experience regarding housing insecurity and overcoming barriers when appropriate.
• Minimum monthly check-in with program participants.
• Provide education and/or training to assist young adults in acquiring skills that will maintain community stability and independence.
• Support young adults to access long-term housing.

• Provide information to community agencies about YRAP/HARP including program philosophy referral process and availability.
• Identify potential program participants who express desire and willingness to increase wellness and independence.
• Facilitate and connect young adults to services and activities which build on self-efficacy.
• Support to link with peer and community resources to build natural supports.
• Support and assist young adults to strengthen linkages to community peer delivered services.
• Support young adults to access and acquire services related to medical social educational transportation housing education employment and other applicable services.
• Promote activities in the local community to support personal wellness and ongoing recovery.

• Provide support regarding eligibility and referral requirements for various programs.
• Support young adults to develop self-help skills social skills and community integration.

Advocacy and Well-being

• Assist young adults in developing a Person-Centered Housing Plan including assessment of needs self-identifying personal goals steps to reach goals increased community integration identifying natural supports and identifying supports and community resources regarding mental health recovery.
• Provide expertise experience and consultation to promote a culture where individual point of view is recognized respected and integrated into treatment.
• Act as a peer advocate.

Support Recovery

• Promote activities that foster recovery self-efficacy and empowerment.
• Share personal experiences when appropriate modeling self-help and wellness activities to empower participants on their mental health recovery journey.
• Provide outreach to engage young adults and assist them in overcoming barriers to participating in services including mental health treatment.
• Offer support to develop personal recovery and wellness goals explore self-help strategies review dimensions of wellness and engage in wellness activities.
• Support engagement and treatment from community providers including mental health chemical dependency and physical health providers.
• Provide information and supportive navigation of the adult behavioral health system including answering phone inquiries providing information and coaching on how to assess services and supports.

Documentation

• Maintain accurate and timely documentation of clinical records in accordance with Federal State County and treatment program requirements under the direction of the clinical supervisor. Meet performance expectations for time and billing standards.
• Gather data for reporting requirements.

Miscellaneous

• Participate fully as a member of the Marion County Health and Human Services Housing and Residential Programs team as a supportive reliable positive collaborative and professional team member during the development of person-centered planning team meetings and crisis intervention.
• Work with a team and supervisor for clinical supervision peer supervisor group supervision treatment planning staff and departmental meetings and trainings.
• Other duties as assigned by your supervisor.

EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING
As defined byOAR (81) Peer Support Specialistmeans an individual providing peer delivered services to an individual or family member with similar life experience under the supervision of a qualified clinical supervisor and a qualified peer delivered services supervisor as resources are made available.

1. A self-identified person currently or formerly receiving mental health services; OR
2. A self-identified person in recovery from an addiction disorder who meets the abstinence requirements for recovering staff in alcohol and drug treatment programs; OR
3. A self-identified individual in recovery from problem gambling; OR
4. The family member of an individual currently or formerly receiving addictions or mental health services.

• Applicants will be asked to discuss recovering experiences during the interview process.
• Must successfully complete a mental health approved peer support training program within six (6) months of hire.
• Ability to obtain Oregon Health Authority Traditional Health Worker certification and Peer Support Specialist certification within required timelines.
• Must possess a current drivers license in the applicants state of residence and an acceptable driving history. Marion County will obtain a copy of the driving record for all qualified applicants from Driver and Motor Vehicle Services and review the driving record according to the Marion County policy and procedure for Driving on County Business. The policy can be found at: position may be subject to the following: Must not be excluded from participation in the federal health care programs (Medicaid Medicare and other federally funded programs that provide health benefits); AND must not be excluded from participating in federal procurement (Federal Acquisition Regulation) and non-procurement activities (Executive Order No. 12549).
• The finalist for this position will be required to pass a criminal history background check; however conviction of a crime may not necessarily disqualify an individual for this position.
• This is a safety sensitive/special needs position. Final candidates selected for this position will be required to pass a pre-employment drug screen including testing for marijuana. The Marion County Drug and Alcohol Use and Testing Policy can be found at: position is represented by a union.
• This is a Full-time position which is eligible for overtime.
• Typical Work Schedule: Monday-Friday with flexibility depending upon the needs of the department and program.

PUBLIC SERVICE LOAN FORGIVENESS
Marion County is a qualifying public employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. Through the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program full-time employees working at the County may qualify for forgiveness of the remaining balance on Direct Student Loans after 120 qualifying monthly payments under a qualifying repayment plan. Questions about your student loan eligibility should be directed to your loan servicer or the US Department of Education.

VISA SPONSORSHIP
Marion County does not offer VISA sponsorship. Within three days of hireyou will be required to complete the US Department of Homeland Securitys I-9 form confirming authorization to work in the United States. Marion County is an E-Verify employer and will use E-Verify to confirm that hires are authorized to work in the United States.

VETERANS PREFERENCE
Applicants are eligible to use Veterans Preference when applying with Marion County in accordance with ORS 408.225 408.230 and 408.235 and OAR and . Preference will be awarded only if the applicant meets the minimum requirements of the position and attaches the required documentation at the time of application.

DOCUMENTS REQUIRED FOR VETERANS PREFERENCE

• One of the following:
  • MEMBER COPY 4 of the Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty (DD Form 214 or 215); OR
  • Letter from the US Department of Veterans Affairs indicating receipt of a non-service connected pension; OR
  • Certification that discharge or release from active duty under honorable conditions will take place not later than 120 days after the submission of the certificate.

• In addition to one of the above documents Disabled Veterans must also submit one of the following:
  • A copy of their Veterans disability preference letter from the Department of Veterans Affairs; OR
  • Certification that medical separation from active duty under honorable conditions will take place not later than 120 days after the submission of the certificate.

You can request copies of your military service record through the National Archives website at County is an Equal Opportunity Affirmative Action Veteran and Disability employer committed to increasing the diversity of its workforce.

Applicants with a disability may request reasonable accommodation through Human Resources in any step of the process to assist them in demonstrating their qualifications to perform the duties of the position for which they are applying. Please e-mailHuman Resourcesif you wish to request an accommodation.