Peer Support Specialist - Youth

Linn County Department of Health Services; Albany (OR); On-site; USD 42,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

The Linn County Department of Health Services is seeking a Youth Peer Support Specialist to provide individualized, strengths-based support to youth and young adults in Wraparound and MRSS settings.

The role emphasizes using personal lived experience with mental health recovery to guide youth, collaborate with a multidisciplinary team, and connect youth with housing, employment, education, transportation, and health resources.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED with strong reading and writing skills.
• Certification as Youth Support Specialist is required.
• Ability to pass a criminal history/background check.
• Knowledge of community resources for Youth and Families.
• Lived experience in mental health or substance use recovery and sobriety of at least 2 years.

Responsibilities

• Share personal recovery stories to inspire and support individuals.
• Provide one-on-one strengths-based support to youth and young adults.
• Advise on community resources including housing, employment, education, transportation, and health services.
• Plan and facilitate activities to increase self-worth and self-concepts.
• Attend treatment/recovery team meetings and document services in the EHR.
• Collaborate with clinicians, families, and partner agencies to ensure youth voice is heard.

Skills

Reading and writing proficiency

Lived experience in mental health/sub.

Knowledge of community resources for Y

Driver's license

Criminal history/background check

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Certified Youth Support Specialist

Job description

Peer Support Specialist - Youth

Mental Health Department (Classification 773)

SEIU Represented Full-Time (37.5 hours/week) position

This position is open until filled.

First review of applications will be on April 20, 2026. Any applications received after April 20 will be reviewed and considered as needed, and this posting may close at any time after that date.

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

The Youth Peer Support Specialist (YPSS) provides individualized, strengths-based, one-on-one support to youth and young adults that are receiving services through the Child and Family Program, primarily with a focus on those involved in Wraparound and Mobile Response and Stabilization Services (MRSS). The YPSS works directly with youth in a variety of settings to meet the youth where they are at to create a consistent meaningful support.

Drawing ontheir own lived experience navigating behavioral health, child-serving systems, and/or crisis services, the YPSS provides guidance, models recovery, and supports youth in identifying and achieving personal goals.

The YPSS is an integral member of a multidisciplinary care team and collaborates closely with clinicians, care coordinators, families, and other service providers to ensure youth voice and choice are heard, and respected throughout the planning and service delivery process.

• Shares personal recovery stories and describes personal experiences to inspire and support individuals throughout the recovery process, as appropriate. Acts as an advocate for individuals to facilitate positive changes and hope in their recovery.
• Supports individuals with problem solving related to their reintegration into the community.
• Advises and informs individuals on community resources, including housing, employment, education, transportation, recreation, health, religious/spiritual, and other resources to meet their individual recovery goals.
• Provide support and navigation, as appropriate.
• Provides coaching in areas to support wellbeing.
• Provides individuals with support and guidance recognizing the early signs of crisis and implementing identified coping strategies.
• Assists individuals with developing and maintaining positive personal and social support networks.
• Assists individuals with developing their self-help skills and cultivates their ability to make informed, independent choices.
• Plans and facilitates practical activities for individuals to increase their self-worth and improve their self-concepts.
• Assists in facilitating skills-based groups.
• Attends treatment/recovery team meetings.
• Documents services provided to individuals/groups and EHR.
• Establishes and maintains effective working relationships and collaboration with community partners, to especially youth serving agencies and programs

Required qualifications:

• Have a High School Diploma or GED with a demonstrated proficiency in reading and writing.
• Certified Youth Support Specialist
• Must be able to pass a criminal history/background check
• Must have a current Oregon driver's license and clean driving record
• Knowledge of community resources for Youth and Families
• Must have lived experience in mental health and/or substance use recovery
• Must be 2 years post sobriety

This is a non-supervisory position. Lead work and coordination of work of others is not a typical function assigned to this position. Incumbents in this position may provide training and orientation to newly assigned personnel.