Peer Support Specialist - Adult Behavioral Health

Marion County, Oregon; Salem (OR); On-site; USD 45,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a leading county's Adult Behavioral Health team as a Peer Support Specialist. Leverage your personal recovery experience to inspire hope and assist individuals with serious mental illnesses. Enjoy comprehensive benefits, including health coverage and retirement plans, while working collaboratively in a supportive environment.

Benefits

Health, dental & vision coverage

Oregon Public Retirement System (PERS)

Tuition assistance up to $20,000

Flexible spending account (FSA)

10 county observed holidays per year

Qualifications

• Must be a self-identified person in recovery or receiving mental health services.
• Complete a Mental Health approved peer support training within six months.

Responsibilities

• Provide support and encouragement to individuals with mental health issues.
• Assist individuals in achieving their recovery goals and accessing community resources.

Skills

Recovery Support

Advocacy

Community Resources

Education

Peer Support Specialist Training

Job description

Join to apply for the Peer Support Specialist - Adult Behavioral Health role at Marion County, Oregon

1 month ago Be among the first 25 applicants

Join to apply for the Peer Support Specialist - Adult Behavioral Health role at Marion County, Oregon

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

This recruitment has been reopened for additional applicants and will remain open until filled. If you have already applied for recruitment #070-2025-3, you do not need to reapply. New applicants are encouraged to submit applications as soon as possible as this recruitment may close at any time without further notice.

Are you interested in fostering hope and inspiring people to achieve mental health recovery? If so, we have an exciting opportunity for you!

Marion County Adult Behavioral Health is looking for Peer Support Specialists to join our team. In this role, you would come alongside individuals who are diagnosed with serious and persistent mental illnesses to provide recovery-oriented supports, use your own lived experience with your mental health recovery, and encourage and support individuals to achieve their recovery goals. An ideal candidate would be motivated to support individuals enrolled in services, honor individuals’ voice and choice, and enjoy working collaboratively as a treatment team member. We provide excellent benefits, superb training, and tuition assistance.

Marion County offers a generous benefits package from health insurance to planning for retirement.

• Health, dental & vision coverage for employee and their eligible family members
• Oregon Public Retirement System (PERS) - Marion County pays 100% of PERS contribution (6% of salary)
• Deferred compensation plans
• Flexible spending account (FSA)
• Competitive salary with seven steps of 5% increases; employees are eligible for a step increase at six months and annually thereafter.
• 10 county observed holidays per year and 2 personal holidays per year.
  
  

GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES

The Peer Support Specialist provides support, encouragement, and assistance to mental health individuals. The specialist will promote those activities that foster recovery and empowerment by sharing their personal experiences when appropriate, modeling self-help and wellness activities. Acts as an advocate who facilitates and connects individuals to services and activities. As a member of the treatment team the incumbent provides expertise, experience, and consultation to the team to promote a culture in which each individual's point of view and preferences are recognized, respected, and integrated into treatment.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED

Works under the close supervision of a qualified clinical supervisor who assigns work, establishes goals, and reviews the results obtained for overall effectiveness.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED

Supervision of other employees is not a responsibility of positions in this class.

Typical Duties - Duties include, but are not limited to the following

Provide support, encouragement, and assistance to mental health individuals enrolled in Marion County Adult Behavioral Health (ABH) with the majority of services provided in the community (i.e., individual’s homes, hospitals, jails, licensed care, shelters, etc.).

Support Recovery

• Promote activities that foster recovery and empowerment by sharing personal experiences when appropriate, modeling self-help and wellness activities.
• Provide outreach to engage individuals and assist them in overcoming barriers to participating in services.
• Offer support to develop personal recovery and wellness goals, explore self-help strategies, review dimensions of wellness, engage in wellness activities, act as a peer advocate, and provide encouragement and hope.
  
  

Community Linkage

• Assist to link with peer and community resources to build natural supports.
• Support and assist individuals to strengthen linkages to community peer delivered services.
• Support individuals to access and acquire services related to medical, social, educational, transportation, housing, education, employment, and other applicable services.
• Provide education and/or training to assist individuals in acquiring skills that will maintain community stability and independence.
• Support individual’s personal wellness and ongoing recovery through connections in the local community.
• Provide supportive navigation, information, and coaching to connect individuals to resources. Share information regarding accessing various services and supports.
• Support individuals to develop self-help skills, social skills, and community integration.
  
  

Advocacy and Well-being

• Assist in the development of person-centered plans, including wellness and recovery goals.
• Provide expertise, experience, and consultation to the team to promote a culture where individual point of view is recognized, respected, and integrated into treatment.
  
  

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.
  
  

Miscellaneous

• Participate fully as a member of the Marion County ABH team as a supportive, reliable, positive, collaborative, and professional team member during the development of individual treatment planning, team meetings, and crisis intervention.
• Work with a team and supervisor for clinical supervision, treatment planning, staff and departmental meetings, and trainings.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the supervisor.
  
  

Response Level 2: In the event of an emergency, employee makes a reasonable effort to report to work. Employee may be required to perform duties outside of their regularly assigned duties. Employee may be requested to work an extended or flexible schedule. Staff at this response level must complete Incident Command System 100 and 700 on-line or in-person training.

Requirements for the Position

Experience And Training

As defined by OAR 309-019-0105 (81) "Peer Support Specialist" means 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.

• A self-identified person currently or formerly receiving mental health services; OR,
• A self-identified person in recovery from an addiction disorder, who meets the abstinence requirements for recovering staff in alcohol and drug treatment programs.
  
  

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

• 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.
• Must possess a current driver's license in the applicant's 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: http://apps.co.marion.or.us/APAP/.
• This 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: http://apps.co.marion.or.us/APAP/policy.aspx?p=policy&pid=518.
• This position is represented by a union.
• This is a full-time position, which is eligible for overtime.
• Typical Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., with flexibility depending upon the needs of the department and program.
  
  

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

Understanding of approaches to support others in recovery andresiliency and demonstrates efforts at self-directed recovery.

Knowledgeable of community resources and how to connect individuals to those resources.

Ability to understand and carry out directions and instructions; ability to maintain confidentiality; interest and skill in providing services to individuals; ability to speak, read and write English; ability to provide documentation consistent with department standards for quality and timeliness; willingness to work hours conducive to reaching the identified population; ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with individuals, coworkers, and other agencies.

Physical Requirements

Operates a motor vehicle; sees using depth perception; stands; sits; moves about the work area; climbs 1 floor of stairs; lifts, pushes, pulls, and carries items weighing up to 5 lbs.; moves carts weighing up to 5 lbs.; operates a keyboard; speaks with a clear and audible voice; reads a 12 pt. font; hears a normal speech level; works in client homes or other areas exposed to dust and smoke; and may work in uneven areas.

Additional Information and/or Attachments

We offer tuition assistance for employees interested in professional development towards a profession in behavioral health.

• Up to $20,000 to reimburse for tuition, licensure and/or other educational expenditures. According to the Marion County policy administrative policies regarding tuition payments.
  
  

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 Loans after 120 qualifying monthly payments under a qualifying repayment plan. Questions about your 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 hire, you will be required to complete the US Department of Homeland Security’s 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 105-040-0010 and 105-040-0015. 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 http://www.archives.gov/veterans/military-service-records/

Marion 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-mail Human Resources if you wish to request an accommodation.

Marion County offers a generous benefits package to regular employees working 50% or more of the regularly scheduled work week and their eligible dependents. Temporary employees and part-time regular employees working less than 50% of the regularly scheduled work week are not eligible for benefits.

Most regular positions in this classification are represented by Marion County Employees Association (MCEA). For a summary of benefits, click here. For a complete and detailed overview of the MCEA benefits package, click here, and select MCEA Benefits from the left menu or Marion County Employees Association (MCEA) from the page links. Regular and temporary employees are represented by MCEA.

Salary and benefits are subject to union contract negotiations and may change as a result.

01

To receive credit for your supplemental questions, your answers must be supported by details in the education and/or work experience section of your application form. "See resume" is not an acceptable answer. Do you understand this statement?

• Yes
• No
  
  

02

This recruitment requires that the applicant be: 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. Do you meet this requirement?

• Yes
• No
  
  

03

Please select the option below that best applies to you:

• I currently have a Traditional Health Worker (THW) certification through the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) for Peer Support Specialist (PSS).
• I have successfully completed an approved 40-hour Peer Support Specialist training program, but do not have a Traditional Health Worker (THW) certification through the Oregon Health Authority.
• I have not completed an approved 40-hour Peer Support Specialist training program, nor do I have a Traditional Health Worker (THW) certification through the Oregon Health Authority.
  
  

04

Indicate how many years of full-time experience you have providing peer support services to adults with serious & persistent mental illness (i.e., Schizophrenia, Schizoaffective Disorder, Bipolar Disorder, etc.). (One year of work experience is equal to 2080 hours.)

• Less than 1 year
• 1 year to less than 3 years
• 3 years to less than 5 years
• 5 years or more
• None of the above
  
  

05

Please specify the place of employment where you have gained the work experience listed in the pervious questions. Write NA in this question does not apply to you. Experience listed in this answer must be supported by the work experience section of your application.

06

Indicate how many years of full-time experience you have providing peer support services to adults with a any type of mental illnesses (not necessarily Serious & Persistent Mental Illness). (One year of work experience is equal to 2080 hours.)

• Less than 1 year
• 1 year to less than 3 years
• 3 years to less than 5 years
• 5 years or more
• None of the above
  
  

07

Please specify the place of employment where you have gained the work experience listed in the pervious questions. Write NA in this question does not apply to you. Experience listed in this answer must be supported by the work experience section of your application.

08

Indicate how many years of full-time work experience you have working with adults with substance use disorders. (One year of work experience is equal to 2080 hours.)

• Less than 1 year
• 1 year to less than 3 years
• 3 years to less than 5 years
• 5 years or more
• None of the above
  
  

09

Please specify the place(s) of employment where you gained the work experience listed in the previous question. Write NA in the box if this question does not apply to you. Experience listed in this answer must be supported by the work experience section of your application.

10

Indicate how many years of full-time experience you have with sharing your own mental health recovery story and experiences as a current or previous consumer of mental health services to support adults with their mental health recovery. (One year of work experience is equal to 2080 hours.)

• Less than 1 year
• 1 year to less than 3 years
• 3 years to less than 5 years
• 5 years or more
• None of the above
  
  

11

Please specify the place of employment where you have gained the work experience listed in the pervious questions. Write NA in this question does not apply to you. Experience listed in this answer must be supported by the work experience section of your application.

• Required Question

Seniority level

• Seniority level

  Entry level

Employment type

• Employment type

  Full-time

Job function

• Job function

  Other

• Industries

  Government Administration

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