Peer Support Specialist

New Avenues for Youth; Portland (OR); On-site; USD 24,000 - 34,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Vision and dental coverage

Paid time off

Gym membership discount

Free counseling services

Job summary

New Avenues for Youth in Portland, OR is hiring a Peer Support Specialist to provide recovery engagement and support for homeless or at-risk youth. You will refer youth to CADCs, case managers, and other service providers, advocate for positive recovery behaviors and build trust in community settings.

You will work full-time, Tuesday-Saturday, 9:30am–6:00pm, with a comprehensive benefits package, paid time off, health coverage, and access to counseling services to support your well-being while

Qualifications

• Lived experience with substance use (minimum 2 years in recovery), houselessness, mental health challenges, or related experience.
• Certified Recovery Mentor credentials or ability to obtain within three months.
• Knowledge of the lifestyles and culture of houseless youth preferred.
• Desire to work with multicultural staff and youth in a diverse setting.
• Use of personal automobile for transporting self and clients for work purposes.
• Must have access to an automobile, a valid driver's license, and active auto insurance on that vehicle.

Responsibilities

• Assist youth in obtaining resources and services via referrals.
• Introduce youth to CADCs, Case Managers, Alcohol & Drug Specialists and other service providers
• Assist youth with navigating resources
• Facilitate links with other support networks
• Provide recovery engagement and support services to youth including advocating and modeling positive recovery behaviors
• Establish presence in areas where homeless youth engage
• Build trust and rapport with youth and provide information on services available
• Assist in facilitating regular pro-social, clean and sober recreational activities

Skills

Lived experience in recovery

Recovery credentials

Automobile access

Multicultural awareness

Driver's license

Job description

• Experienced: You have faced and overcome challenges related to substance use, mental health, and/or houselessness. Your experience is a source of strength and fuels your compassion and care.
• Compassionate Listener: You offer empathy without judgment, creating a safe space for young people to share their stories and struggles.
• Reliable Advocate: You are committed to showing up consistently, building trust, and following through on your promises to young people.
• Growth-Oriented: You embrace continuous learning, seeking new knowledge and skills to better support yourself and the youth you serve.
• Equitable: You understand how systemic oppression impacts the lives of youth in programs and the systems that you will support youth in navigating. You approach this world with humility and a deep sense of growth and learning.

What You'll Do:

• Assist youth in obtaining resources and services through referral:
• Introducing youth to CADCs, Case, Managers, Alcohol & Drug Specialists and other service providers
• Assisting youth with navigating resources
• Facilitating links with other support networks
• Provide recovery engagement and support services to youth including:
• Advocating and supporting youth by acting as a role model for positive recovery behaviors
• Establishing a presence in areas where homeless youth engage
• Building trust and rapport with youth and providing information on services available
• Assisting in facilitating regular pro-social clean and sober recreational activities
• Qualifications: (Examples provided below. This will vary by position.)

Qualifications

• Lived experience with substance use (having been in successful recovery for a minimum of 2 year), houselessness, mental health challenges and/or the mental health system, or any combination of the above
• Certified Recovery Mentor credentials or ability to obtain any of these credentials within three months of hiring
• Knowledge of the lifestyles and culture of houseless youth preferred
• Desire to work with multicultural staff and youth in a diverse setting
• Use of personal automobile for transporting self and clients for work purposes
• Must have access to an automobile, a valid driver's license, and active auto insurance on that vehicle

This position requires a high level of mobility, meaning the successful candidate must be able to swiftly move and adapt to different situations and tasks.This may or may not also include different agency locations or locations within the community being served.A person in this position must be able to perform with or without accommodation the essential functions of this job including any physical requirements associated with this role. While performing the duties of this job, the employee may be routinely exposed to outdoor weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. If the position may require the use of any personal protective equipment, New Avenues will have such equipment on hand for the employee’s use.

Any candidate deemed viable for this position based on resources and resume submission will be contacted to participate in a screen interview to discuss interest and job compatibility. Of those screened, advancing candidates will be asked to participate in a subsequent interview or interviews to evaluate job qualifications and interest further. From this process, a hiring selection will be made.

New Avenues for Youth is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Pay : $21.00 per hour

Schedule : Full-time. Tuesday - Saturday, 9:30am - 6:00pm

Transform Lives, Transform Yourself:

Are you eager to be a part of the change and care that supports youth in our community? Do you have experience that could be an assurance and lift for young people facing houselessness to help them with the skills and resources to lead healthy, independent lives? New Avenues for Youth seeks a compassionate and resilient Peer Support Specialist to join our program.

As a Peer Support Specialist, you'll be a consistent and intentional guide for youth navigating difficult paths. Your unique perspective, experience, and resilience will foster opportunity and empower young people to be more prepared and resourced to move through challenging moments and reach their unique goals.

Join New Avenues and…

• Make an Impact: Provide consistent support, guidance around resources, and advocacy.
• Thrive in a Supportive Team: Join a collaborative and inclusive environment where your contributions are celebrated.
• Grow as a Professional: Receive ongoing training, mentorship, and opportunities for career advancement.
• Enjoy a Robust Benefits Package: We value your well-being and offer a robust benefits package that includes:
• Full health, vision, and dental insurance at zero cost to the employee (with options to cover family members), to ensure your physical and mental health are prioritized.
• Generous paid time off to support your work-life balance and personal needs. Roughly five weeks of available time off in year one with an additional week added in year two.
• Discounted gym memberships to encourage a healthy and active lifestyle.
• Access to free counseling services to help you manage stress and maintain your emotional health.

Our Commitment to Equity:

At New Avenues for Youth, we envision a community where all young people thrive. We recognize that historical inequities and intersecting forms of oppression have created barriers for many. We are unwavering in our commitment to dismantling these barriers and fostering a truly equitable space where every voice is heard and valued.