Veteran Wellness & Peer Support Specialist

Westcare-Oregon-Inc; Salem (OR); On-site; USD 26,000 - 37,000; Full time

Job summary

WestCare Foundation in Salem, Oregon seeks a Peer Specialist to support veterans in recovery and recovery-planning efforts. The role works with both professional and non-professional staff to identify goals, monitor progress, and practice coping strategies based on the peer’s own recovery experience.

The position emphasizes crisis response, WRAP development, and engagement with families and community partners while delivering SafeTALK and contributing to Zero Suicide initiatives.

Qualifications

• Two years peer support experience, preferably with suicide prevention services.
• Peer support services provided by Veterans with lived experiences.
• High School Diploma or equivalent is required.
• Must obtain Peer Support Certification within six months of hire.

Responsibilities

• Conduct/develop a Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP) with program participants.
• Provide services within the Zero Suicide framework, including those to ensure a “warm hand-off”.
• Conduct community-based outreach to identify and engage program eligible individuals and their families.
• Deliver safeTALK, an evidence-based suicide prevention education program to Veterans, family members, clinicians, partners and community members.
• As necessary, handle crisis interventions for Veterans and address other emergent situations without specific instructions.
• Develop mental and physical health activities for program participants and their family members when appropriate.
• Provide presentations to community organizations such as faith-based groups, medical and mental health providers, schools, civic groups, government agencies, non-profit organizations, and law enforcement.
• Must embrace and embody the mission, vision, guiding principles, clinical vision, and goals of WestCare Foundation; and
• Perform all other duties as assigned.

Skills

Good judgment

Computer literacy

Crisis response

Teamwork

Ethical conduct

Professionalism

Cultural sensitivity

Military/Veteran status

Education

High School Diploma or equivalent

Peer Support Certification (to be obtained within 6 months)

Tools

Microsoft Word

Job description

WestCare Foundation in Salem, Oregon seeks a Peer Specialist to support veterans in recovery and recovery-planning efforts. The role works with both professional and non-professional staff to identify goals, monitor progress, and practice coping strategies based on the peer’s own recovery experience.

The position emphasizes crisis response, WRAP development, and engagement with families and community partners while delivering SafeTALK and contributing to Zero Suicide initiatives.