Recovery Youth Peer Support Specialist

Youth ERA; Milwaukie (OR); On-site; USD 30,000 - 34,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision insurance

403b retirement plan

Employee assistance program

Generous paid time off

Job summary

Youth Era in Milwaukie, Oregon is seeking a Youth Recovery Peer Support Specialist to provide peer-based recovery support to ages 14-25. You’ll connect with young people, identify needs, brainstorm solutions, and empower self-advocacy within a supportive, trauma-informed framework.

Key duties include building relationships, facilitating recovery groups, documenting services in the EHR, and collaborating with partners to connect youth to housing, education, and healthcare resources.

Qualifications

• Lived experience with recovery and related life challenges.
• Ability to travel locally and work evenings/weekends.
• Valid driver's license, reliable vehicle.
• Willingness to pursue ongoing training and certifications.

Responsibilities

• Provide peer support to youth ages 14-25 in recovery from substance use.
• Engage youth through outreach and recovery programming.
• Document services in the EHR and track attendance.
• Travel locally for sessions and community meetings.
• Support youth in accessing housing, education, healthcare.
• Maintain trauma-informed, inclusive environments.

Skills

Lived experience with recovery

Willingness to travel

Valid driver’s license

Willingness to pursue trainings

Job description

Youth ERA is an Oregon-based non-profit that creates lasting positive change in the lives of young people and the systems that serve them. By uniting a diverse collective of young adults and organizations around innovative solutions, Youth Era impacts thousands each year. The work we do is fueled by a deep sense of dedication to our staff, the young people we serve, and the system partners we collaborate with, who give their time and voices to empower young lives and improve our communities.

Every day, our team creates positive change in countless ways. Whether we're providing one-on-one support to a young person in need, developing programs and resources that help young people thrive, or working with system partners to create change at a broader level, we're driven by our mission to empower and uplift the next generation. Join us and be part of the change!

OUR BENEFITS

• We offer 100% employer-paid comprehensive medical, dental, and vision group health insurance.
• Take advantage of our 403b retirement plan.
• Access our employee assistance program.
• Generous paid time off plan.

Are you passionate about helping your peers overcome work through their recovery journey? Do you have lived experience in substance use recovery? If so, we want you to join our team at Youth Era as a Youth Recovery Peer Support Specialist.

We strongly encourage applicants to provide a cover letter as it allows them to showcase their personality, passion, and specific qualifications for the position they are applying for.

Research shows that women and BIPOC individuals are often hesitant to apply for positions unless they feel confident they can fulfill every task outlined in the job description. At our organization, our priority is to find the most qualified candidate for the job. We recognize the value of diverse experiences and perspectives, and we're committed to considering any equivalent combination of knowledge, skills, education, and experience.

POSITION SUMMARY:

• Compensation: $22- $25 (Depending on Experience)
• Position Type: Full-time (40 hours/week)

ABOUT THIS POSITION:

The youth recovery peer support specialist (YRPSS) is responsible for providing peer support services to youth ages 14-25 who are in or working toward recovery from substance use. This position is charged with building connections to young adults and assisting in needs identification, solution brainstorming, and self-advocacy at all levels. This position supports youth in gaining control over their lives and in fostering positive community connections. The YRPSS functions as a role model by demonstrating recovery, resilience and ongoing coping skills.

DESCRIPTION:

• Share lived experience of recovery and related life challenges to provide authentic peer support and build trust with young adults navigating systems such as mental health, substance use/recovery, juvenile justice, Oregon Youth Authority, foster care, education, and LGBTQ+ supports.
• Engage and build relationships with youth through drop-in center participation, outreach, and recovery-specific programming.
• Support safe and inclusive environments by modeling trauma-informed practices, monitoring emotional and physical safety, and interrupting oppressive or inappropriate behavior.
• Provide one-on-one recovery support tailored to youth-led goals, using harm reduction, motivational interviewing, and supportive tools such as recovery forms.
• Empower youth self-advocacy by helping them set goals and take steps toward their recovery and wellness.
• Facilitate and co-facilitate recovery groups that provide peer connection, reflection, and skill-building.
• Promote and advertise recovery services through outreach, tabling, and collaboration with community partners; actively connecting young adults to the recovery program and Youth Era services.
• Assist youth in accessing services that support their recovery journey, including harm reduction resources, housing, education, and healthcare.
• Provide culturally responsive assistance and apply evidence-based and youth development practices such as Positive Youth Development, Collaborative Problem Solving (CPS), Wraparound, the 40 Developmental Assets, and harm reduction.
• Refer youth to community-based resources and collaborate with providers to strengthen support networks.
• Communicate with youth using accessible methods, including phone, text/chat, and social media.
• Document all recovery services in our EHR system, upload recovery forms, and track attendance, outreach contacts, and harm reduction distributions.
• Participate in Drop-In center tasks such as cleaning surfaces and floors, doing dishes, preparing simple meals for participants, and other chores.
• Report suspected abuse or neglect to DHS in compliance with mandatory reporting laws.
• Maintain accurate records, including caseload trackers, calendars, and administrative compliance with Rippling (timecards, receipts, mileage).
• Participate in weekly staff meetings, supervision, and professional development to maintain alignment with program fidelity and THW certification.
• Travel locally for one-on-one sessions, outreach, community meetings, and collaboration with partners as needed.
• Comply with all Youth Era policies and procedures, including those outlined in the Employee Policy Manual and Recovery Handbook.
• Perform other duties as assigned to support the mission of Youth Era and the success of youth participants.

KEY SKILLS:

• Lived experience with substance-use and recovery (identity as being in recovery from substance use and/or alcohol)
• Ability to travel and willingness to work evenings and weekends as required.
• Valid driver’s license, reliable vehicle, and car insurance.
• Willingness to update job knowledge by participating in educational opportunities, reading professional publications, maintaining professional networks, attending trainings, and conferences.

REQUIRED SKILLS:

• Excellent interpersonal skills, including the capacity to communicate and work effectively with individuals from diverse backgrounds and cultures.
• Ability to build/sustain collaborative working relationships with staff, supervisors, and others as appropriate.
• Willingness to address and work to eliminate personal biases and prejudices.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively
• Demonstrated social/situational problem-solving skills.
• Outstanding oral/written communication skills and strong organizational skills.
• Excellent advocacy and public speaking skills.
• Ability and willingness to learn about youth culture and the organization's history, mission, demographics, programs, etc. in order to persuasively articulate how Youth Era distinguishes itself from peer organizations.
• Proficiency in the use of computers, their routine software applications (i.e. Microsoft Office, Word, and Excel), and Google applications (i.e. Gmail, Hangouts, and Google Calendar).

PREFERRED CERTIFICATIONS:

• Certified Recovery Mentor (CRM)
• First Aid Certification
• Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Certification

Application Process:

At Youth ERA, we take our hiring process seriously to ensure we find the right candidate for the job. A cover letter is required , summarizing why you're the right fit for this specific position. Lived experience in recovery is a priority for this role, and candidates with lived experience will be interviewed first. Our interview process typically consists of two stages: an initial phone interview, followed by a secondary Zoom interview with the hiring supervisors. However, the process may be subject to change based on management's decision, and in some cases, an onsite meet and greet may be required to make a final decision.

We appreciate your interest in joining our team at Youth ERA. For more information about our organization, please visit our website at www.youthera.org.

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement:

At Youth ERA, we are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all our employees and applicants for employment. We strictly prohibit any form of discrimination or harassment based on race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.

This policy applies to all aspects of employment, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training. We believe in creating a workplace that values diversity, promotes inclusivity, and respects the rights of all individuals.

Trauma-Informed Care Statement:

At Youth ERA, we're committed to providing trauma-informed care to youth in our community, and this commitment also extends to our staff. We believe that by prioritizing trauma-informed care in all aspects of our organization, we can create a workplace that's supportive, inclusive, and empowering for everyone. With this mindset, we aim to grow our team's resilience so we can, in turn, provide the best possible care, support, and experience to our youth participants.