Peer Support Specialist - HS077

Native American Rehabilitation Association of the Northwest, Inc. (NARA); Portland (OR); On-site; USD 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

Native American Rehabilitation Association of the Northwest, Inc. (NARA) in Portland, OR, is seeking a Peer Support Specialist. The role focuses on recovery support, counseling, and community-based coordination within PSH units at Hazel Heights.

You will work with families and single adults with chronic homelessness to promote wellness. The position offers a supportive environment, opportunity to engage with Native American communities, and collaborative clinical supervision.

Responsibilities

• Openly identify as a person who has lived the experience of receiving behavioral health services and serve as a role model to inspire hope.
• Provide practical help and supports including advocacy, coordination, and direct assistance to help participants obtain daily living essentials.
• Increase awareness of recovery resources and cultural programs to support participants’ path to independence.
• Assist in assessment of participant support needs and adapt service plans to changing needs.
• Deliver brief clinical-like guidance to participants and families to promote symptom management and growth.
• Support nutrition, meal planning, and budgeting activities to improve overall well‑being.
• Assist participants in accessing entitlements and transportation options to sustain independence.
• Teach and reinforce money-management skills and help with accessing financial services.
• Help participants access healthcare, primary care, dentists, and specialists as needed.
• Organize and lead social, cultural, and recreational activities to structure time and expand social engagement.

Job description

Title: Peer Support Specialist

Location: River House (211 SE Caruthers Street Portland, OR 97214) and Nesika Illahee

Schedule: Monday - Friday 9:00am - 5:00pm

Wage Range: $21.58 - $29.24 non-exempt, hourly

If you are a motivated and dedicated Peer Support Specialist looking for an opportunity to contribute to an organization making a positive impact, we want to hear from you!

At NARA Northwest, you’ll find a supportive work environment where every team member is valued and respected. Whether you’re passionate about healthcare, behavioral health, education, or social services, there’s a place for you to make a meaningful difference.

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 deliver services and support to Native American and Alaska Native communities, helping individuals lead healthier, more fulfilling lives.

With over 450 employees across a variety of programs—including medical and dental care, addiction treatment, housing assistance, and enrichment initiatives NARA NW offers numerous opportunities for growth and advancement, all while making a tangible, positive impact on 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 participant’s 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 single adults with a history of chronic homelessness who are residing in PSH-designated units at Hazel Heights.

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 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); money-management services (e.g. payee services); and transportation.
• Increase awareness of and support participation in consumer self-help programs, culturally specific services and consumer advocacy organizations that promote recovery.
• Assist in the provision of ongoing assessment of PSH participant’s 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 symptom-management 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).
• Teach money management skills (budgeting and paying bills) and assist participants in accessing financial services.
• Help participants to access reliable transportation (obtain a driver’s license and car, arrange for medical transport, use public transportation, find rides).
• Assist and support participants to have and effectively use a personal primary care physician, dentist and other medical specialists as required.
• Organize and lead individual and group social and recreational activities to help participants structure their time, increase social experiences, and provide opportunities to practice social skills and attend cultural activities.
• Works collaboratively, and maintains professional boundaries with clients, other NARA staff, team members, and treats everyone with respect and dignity at all times.