Since 1979, the Portland community has trusted Central City Concern (CCC) to help people create meaningful, long-term change. Every year, we serve more than 13,000 people experiencing or at risk of homelessness with affordable and supportive housing, person-centered health care, addiction recovery and employment assistance. By providing health care, housing, and jobs, CCC is ending homelessness in Portland and helping people achieve their highest potential.

Seniority Bid: 1/5/2023 - 1/11/2023 Close Date: Open until filled 

HOURS: Tuesday - Saturday 11:00 am to 7:30 PM

PAY: $21.54/hour

The Peer Support Specialist provides a variety of recovery-oriented services to individuals who have self-identified as desiring peer support, in order to promote greater independence, community integration, and recovery from mental illness and/or addiction as an expanded function of the Supportive Transitions and Stabilization Program. Services provided by peers (people in addiction recovery or with co-occurring mental health disorders) include a wide range of supports, services, and advocacy that contribute to a client’s ability to engage in ongoing treatment.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Work with clients to identify wellness and recovery goals.
• Exemplifies recovery principles in order to show by example that recovery is possible and attainable. Share their own recovery story as appropriate, and walks the road of recovery alongside the service recipient.
• Work with clients on specific objectives in conjunction with the case manager and the client’s ISSP.
• Attend and positively participate in required team, agency, and interdisciplinary meetings.
• Coordinate and consult with other team members to keep team informed of issues and progress
• Ensure timely completion of all required paperwork.
• Work to increase level of cultural sensitivity, awareness and competency regarding Person Centered and Peer Delivered Services.
• Document all peer contact at time of service.
• Work with HRR Leadership team to develop and support new programming
• Participate in group supervision as required.
• Support clients in establishing community integration, including, but not limited to accessing recovery meetings, faith-based support, clean and sober recreation, etc., in their neighborhoods.
• May carry a small caseload of clients who are no longer in need of intensive services.
• Facilitate activity groups.
• Coordinate pro-social activities in the community.
• Provide support with transporting identified clients from their homes to the office for groups, individual sessions or other appointments in the community. Assist in developing skills with public transportation as appropriate.
• Adhere to all state and federal privacy and security regulations applicable to the program, and to CCC policies and agreements regarding confidentiality, privacy, and security. This includes immediately reporting any breach of protected health information or personal identification information of any person receiving CCC services by CCC or an outside provider to the CCC Compliance Department, as well as to your supervisor or their designee.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• High School diploma or GED Equivalent required.
• Must be a Certified Peer Support Specialist or Certified Recovery Mentor prior to start. Must be registered with the THW registry prior to start.
• Must be a self-identified person in recovery from a substance use or co-occurring mental health disorder, who meets the abstinence requirements for recovery staff in alcohol and other drug treatment programs.
• HRR Graduates preferred.
• At least two year’s work, education, training or experience in chemical dependency or mental health treatment preferred.
• Must be able to provide peer delivered services as described in Medicaid guidelines.
• Ability to adhere to Central City Concern’s drug-free workplace which encourages a safe, healthy and productive work environment and strictly complies with the Drug-Free Work Place Ace of 1988. An employee shall not, in the workplace, unlawfully manufacture, distribute, dispense, possess or use a controlled substance or alcohol.
• Must possess a current driver’s license, access to a vehicle, qualify as an Acceptable Driver as designated in Central City Concern’s Fleet Safety policy. Must pass an initial drivers training within 60 days of being an approved driver and continued recertification training. Must maintain vehicle insurance coverage of a minimum of $100,000/$300,000 personal auto liability coverage.
• Must pass a pre-employment drug screen, TB test, and background check.
• Physical ability to bend, stoop, kneel, squat, twist, reach, pull and lift heavy objects.
• Must be able to climb stairs several times a day.
• Must adhere to agency’s non-discrimination policies
• Ability to effectively interact with co-workers and clients with diverse ethnic backgrounds, religious views, cultural backgrounds, life-styles, and sexual orientations and treat each individual with respect and dignity.

Benefits: Central City Concern offers an incredible benefits package to our employees!

• Generous paid time off plan beginning at 4 weeks per year at the time of hire. Accrual increases with longevity.
• Amazing 403(b) Retirement Savings plan with an employer match of 4.25% in your 1st year, 6% in the 2nd year, and 8% in your 3rd year!
• 11 paid Holidays PLUS 2 Personal Holidays to be used at the employee’s discretion.
• Comprehensive Medical, Vision, and Dental insurance coverage.
• Employer Paid Life, Short Term Disability, AND Long Term Disability Insurance!
• Sabbatical Program offering extended time off at years 7, 14 and 21.

Central City Concern is a second chance employer and complies with applicable laws regarding consideration of criminal background for employment purposes. Government regulations, contractual requirements, or the duties of this particular job may require CCC to conduct a background check and take appropriate action to address prior criminal convictions.