Youth Services - On Call Support Specialist

LE_001 New Narrative; Portland (OR); On-site; USD 44,000 - 47,000; Full time

Job summary

New Narrative in Portland, OR, seeks a Residential Support Specialist to work with residents in our mental health residential programs. You will collaborate with a multidisciplinary team to help residents achieve goals, build life skills, and maintain a safe and organized environment.

Qualifications include a High School Diploma or GED, CPR certification preferred, QMHA credentials preferred; must be 18+, capable of emergency procedures. On-call shifts and up to 40 hours per month.

Qualifications

• Must be 18 years or older and able to follow emergency procedures.
• CPR certification preferred and willingness to maintain certification.
• Experience or interest in behavioral health and residential settings.

Responsibilities

• Engage residents to support goal progression and transition planning.
• Assist with activities of daily living and medication management as directed.
• Document shift notes, attendance, and incident reports per policy.
• Participate in team care planning and community engagement activities.
• Ensure house safety, cleanliness, and adherence to rules and hygiene.

Skills

CPR certification

Resident support

Education

High School Diploma/GED

QMHA credentials preferred

Job description

About Us

At New Narrative, we believe mental health care is community care. As a nonprofit organization, we partner with individuals to promote healing, housing stability, and long-term wellness through compassionate, equitable support. If you’re passionate about community impact, we invite you to join our team.

Pay Rate: $21.50/hr and can go up DOE

Purpose

(General description and summary) The Residential Support Specialist (RSS) collaborates as part of a multidisciplinary team to provide a seamless delivery of services to residents in our mental health residential treatment programs. As residents work toward individual goals, the RSS engages in intentional skills building. Areas of focus may include activities of daily living, life skills, and therapeutic interventions. The RSS is also responsible for ensuring a clean and organized environment.

On-Call Support Specialists are primarily assigned to the Youth Services department and will support at least 5 open shifts per month, totaling 40 hours. If 5 shifts are not available within the Youth Services department, team members are able to cover open shifts within the Licensed Residential department in a Residential Support Specialist (RSS) capacity.

Accountabilities (Responsibilities of the job)

Resident Support

• Actively engage with residents to support movement toward goals and transition planning using strength-based and person-centered approaches.
• Centers resident experiences including maximum level of autonomy and personal rights.
• Actively participate in Team Based Care, including collaboration and participation in staff meetings.
• Provide hands-on support to residents as needed in completing activities of daily living and instrumental activities of daily living such as (but not limited to) attending appointments, completing household tasks, maintaining hygiene, maintaining continence, bathing, toileting, dressing, eating and managing medication.
• Assists in crisis intervention utilizing nonviolent de-escalation techniques.
• Supports residents in navigating distress and conflict.
• Adheres to medication management protocol.
• Remains constantly alert to changes in medication.
• Responsible for meal preparation and providing opportunities for skills training.
• Provides and facilitates group activities and community engagement.
• Understands and complies with Oregon Administrative Rules which include Home and Community Based mental health services.

Facility Operations

• Facilitates fire drills and emergency procedures as assigned or as needed.
• Completes Safety and Sanitation Checklists twice monthly.
• Responsible for the health and safety of the house, seeing that the house is clean, orderly, and safe.
• This may include exposure to biohazardous or unsafe materials.
• Maintains the cleanliness of food storage areas, common areas, and employee office.
• Completes all shift duties as assigned.
• Communicates maintenance and supply needs.

Documentation

• At the end of each shift ensure all documentation (engagement notes, shift notes, EMAR, communication log, incident reports, etc.) is complete in each resident chart, following policy and Oregon Administrative Rules.
• Completes all incident reports by end of shift.
• Ensures narcotic count is updated during each narcotic medication pass as well as completes shift change documentation.

Other General Expectations

• Must maintain active CPR certification at all times.
• Staff must remain awake and alert at all times on shift.
• Completes tasks assigned by program leadership.
• Fulfills all onboarding requirements and trainings within timelines outlined in New Narrative policy and procedures.
• Must have a criminal records clearance through the State Mental Health Division prior to starting employment.
• Will not work over 40 hours per week unless authorized by a supervisor.
• Will report to work promptly and will adhere to all scheduling and attendance policies.
• Attend and participate in all required meetings and trainings.
• Follows all agency policies, procedures, and protocols.
• Maintains security of confidential information.

Residential Support Specialists can be temporarily reassigned from their scheduled site to cover other residential treatment homes/facilities, as directed by a member of the residential leadership team. When in Youth Services, team members will act as a Direct Support Specialist, with responsibilities that mirror a Residential Support Specialist and some additional requirements including: Ability to pass a background check for eligibility to work within a Licensed Child Caring Agency. Support with ADLs and IADLs without extensive hands‑on needs for bathing, toileting, etc. Ability to engage with youth through shared interests, hobbies, language, and experiences. Maintain appropriate boundaries with transition‑aged youth. Understand and follow all applicable OARs, ORS, and federal/state laws related to minors in care of Child Welfare. Provide transportation as needed in company and/or personal vehicle.

Positions Reporting: None

Education/Certificates/Licenses/Registration

• High School Diploma/GED required.
• QMHA credentials preferred.
• Current CPR certification preferred

Experience/Qualifications

• Must be 18 years of age and capable of implementing emergency procedures and disaster plan.
• Must be able to administer CPR and Naloxone (Narcan).
• Must be comfortable working independently.

Impact

New Narrative residential operations are an essential part of New Narrative’s overall continuum of services. As a New Narrative employee, Residential Support Specialists will help to ensure best practices, positive outcomes, and quality of service.

All of our job openings are located in Portland, Oregon, and the surrounding metro areas.

At New Narrative, we’re dedicated to empowering people on their mental health journeys. We provide compassionate, person-centered services that foster stability, connection, and independence — helping individuals build meaningful lives in their communities. Through supportive housing, community-based programs, and collaborative care, we walk alongside the people we serve as they build resilience, strengthen relationships, and create new possibilities for their futures.

Looking for work that has purpose? Join a compassionate team dedicated to empowering people in their mental health journeys while building a meaningful, rewarding career.