Job Details

Department: ACW -Clinical
Reports To: Peer Program Manager
Position Type: 1 FTE,40 Hours/Week, Non-Exempt
Work Type: InPerson, Not Hybrid/Remote Eligible
Salary Range: $21.50- $22.79 Per Hour
Salary Note:Bilingual candidates are eligible for an additional $1.50 BilingualDifferential. This BilingualDifferential is not included in the salary range above.
Benefits Available: Readmore at
Agency Overview: Readmore at
External Applicants:Apply directly through our website, via the Agency Overview link. All applicants must submit a complete jobapplication, supplemental questions, and resume via the job portal to beconsidered.
Internal Applicants:Apply via email, following the emailed application instructions

PositionSummary: The Peer Support Specialist (PSS) will work directly withpeople who use drugs (PWUD)identified at syringe exchange, street outreach andthrough referrals from community partners. The PSS will play a critical role inutilizing harm reduction strategies and motivational interviewing to empowerclients to take steps to reduce their risk for overdose, improve their health,and access treatment. PSSs will work in collaboration with a network ofcommunity providers to mitigate the negative impact of substance abuse on PWUDvia evidence-based services and resources that reduce risks for HIV/HCV andopioid overdose, promote recovery, and improve general health outcomes.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities:

• Coordinate with and accept client referrals internal andexternal sources;
• Provide street outreach and outreach to clients at syringeexchanges, including providing harm reduction education/supplies and offeringbasic needs assistance, to engage clients in peer support services;
• Engage with clients in office and community basedlocations, in person.
• Apply person-centered principles to build relationships,trust, and rapport
• Ability to work well with others, handle stressappropriately, have reliable attendance
• Assess client needs and develop goal/action plansaccordingly;
• Refer clients to substance use treatment/MAT and completea warm hand-off;
• Utilize cultural competency, active listening, andmotivational interviewing skills to provide ongoing assistance to clients inreaching their stability or treatment goals;
• Establish relationships and coordinate with agencies toprovide intensive care coordination;
• Provide transportation and accompany clients toappointments to facilitate access to treatment and other services and resources
• Promote/educate on harm reduction methods;
• Connect all clients who test positive for HIV or HCV witha confirmation screening and medical care
• Promote/educate on harm reduction methods, includingnaloxone and fentanyl test strips, that reduce risks for opioid overdose;
• Navigate clients to additional services and resources,including health insurance, basic needs services, and housing assistance;
• Maintain up-to-date HIV knowledge;
• Enroll clients in Oregon Health Plan or other insuranceprograms
• Complete chart notes for client encounters and submit allprogram paperwork in a professional, timely manner
• Work closely with other Peer Support Specialists tomaximize the quality of service
• Attend regular clinical supervision meetings
• Ability to work well with others, handle stressappropriately, have reliable attendance
• Ability to use personal cellphone to run agency phone system software, MFA, etc.
• Other tasks as assigned,including training/cross-training other staff as needed

Required Qualifications:

• Lived experience and knowledge of addiction and harmreduction principles
• Current Peer Support Specialist or Certified RecoveryMentor certification from a State-approved training program, OR be able andwilling to become certified immediately
• Meets the definition of a Peer as defined by the State ofOregon Administrative Rule:
• self-identified person currently or formerly receivingmental health services; OR
• a self-identified person in recovery from a substanceabuse disorder, who meet the abstinence requirements for recovering staff inalcohol and other drug treatment programs;
• Minimum 1 year of experience working with clients who havesubstance use difficulties using harm reduction strategies in all interactionsand interventions
• Minimum 1 year of experience working in a social serviceor behavioral health setting that includes documentation and record keeping
• Willingness to engage in conversations about HIV/HCV riskincluding sex and injection drug use
• Ability to work independently and meet deadlines, good timemanagement skills
• Basic computer and keyboard proficiency using MicrosoftOffice software
• Complete and pass a criminal history background check
• Applicants in recovery from substance abuse must have aminimum of 2 years in recovery
• Must not be listed on the Medicaid provider exclusion list
• TB test (provided at agency)
• Valid Oregon driver's license, or valid out of statedriver's license with the ability to get an Oregon driver's license within 30days of establishing residency in Oregon, and a driving record sufficient to becovered by agency auto insurance policy.
• Ability to pass agency criminal background check

Professional Competencies:

• InterpersonalCommunication & Conflict Management (proactively communicateseffectively, listens carefully to others, exhibits acceptable standards ofconduct, deals effectively with others in difficult situations, works to reducetension & conflict)
• OrganizationalAwareness (takes time to learn about agency culture, policies, andprocedures; recognizes and balances the interest and impact of one's departmentwith those of other departments, programs, and the agency as a whole)
• EmbracesChange (actively identifies problems and opportunities forchange, implements solutions where appropriate, maintains effectiveness &adjusts well when experiencing changes in work tasks, environment, processes,and requirements)
• Livingthe Agency Vision & Values (demonstrates anunderstanding of agency vision and values, keeping the vision and values at theforefront of decision making)
• Client& Customer Focused (keeps client and customer needs aprimary focus; develops and sustains productive relationships with clients,customers, & partners)
• ValuingDiversity (appreciates and leverages the capabilities, insights,& ideas of all individuals; works effectively with individuals of diversestyle, ability, & motivation)

Physical Demands:

Whileperforming the duties of this job, the employee is required to

• Repetitivelyuse hands, including grasping, twisting/turning of wrists, and finger dexterityto perform various necessary clerical duties, such as typing and writing.
• Frequentlyuse arms, such as pushing & pulling to open/close drawers, cabinets, etc.
• Sitand/or stand for extended periods of time at an assigned station
• Bend,stand, & reach to be able to transport clients and to lift and carry up to25 pounds for tasks such as building kits & assembling testing/educationalmaterials.
• Usecontinuous clarity of vision at 20 inches or less for processing of paperwork

Thephysical demands described above here are representative of those that must bemet by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of thisjob. Reasonable accommodations may bemade to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functionsof the job.

Working Conditions, Travel, andEnvironment:

Theduties of this job require individuals to be able to work in non-traditionaland community-based settings. Additionally, the duties of this job include travel to other locationsnecessary to complete essential job functions, including the ability totransport self to job-related events and locations. This role requires regularreliable attendance, including:

• Abilityto work flexible hours, including early mornings, evenings, and weekends
• Abilityto work 5 days per week for a minimum of 40 hours per week
• Abilityto work in loud, crowded, busy, or escalated environments
• Abilityto drive at night and during various weather conditions safely