Working Title: Peer Support Specialist     
Program: Community Support Services - Cottage          
Reports To: Program Supervisor
Employment Type: 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (Flex schedule to reflect 22.5 hours/ week)
Location: Onsite, The Dalles (Serving Wasco, Hood River, and Sherman Counties) 
Pay Range (Dependent on experience): 
            Peer Support Specialist: $21.11 – 25.65
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt
     
Description:

The Peer Support Specialist for The Cottage empowers adults with behavioral, mental health, and other challenges by providing a variety of recovery-oriented services to individuals. This position works with individuals to promote greater independence, community integration, and recovery for mental wellness.

Mid-Columbia Center for Living (MCCFL) is a Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) that specializes in providing services that are both trauma-informed and recovery-oriented to persons/consumers with mental illness and addictions. Trauma-informed care includes safety, choice, collaboration, trustworthiness, and empowerment for both clients and staff. MCCFL serves Hood River, Wasco, and Sherman Counties and utilizes a consumer-involved, consumer-engaged, and consumer-driven model. MCCFL provides a whole-person care approach to adults and children to address both physical and mental health needs. MCCFL offers a variety of programs including a mobile crisis unit, intensive case management, ongoing counseling, community support, supported employment, jail diversion, hospital discharges, hearings, and more.

Qualifications:

What skills and education do you need:

• Qualifying experience and training typically include a high school diploma or GED. The successful applicant must hold or be able to obtain within a reasonable time frame, an Oregon Health Authority certification as a Peer Delivered Service Provider. Such certification must be current and valid at all times.
• Because the services provided by the position are through a peer-to-peer model, preference may be given to individuals who have previous or current involvement as a behavioral health consumer, and/or individuals who possess a “lived” experience dealing with psychiatric disabilities and/or the legal system. Such experience does not, however, in itself constitute a guarantee of employment.
• Must possess and maintain a current food handler’s permit.
• Must possess a valid Oregon or Washington Driver's License, maintain an acceptable driving record, and be insurable for client service purposes and for travel between business offices for meetings and/or training. This position must pass all criminal history check requirements as required by ORS 181.536 to 181.537, and in accordance with OAR 407-007-0220 to 407-007-0370
• Provide coverage for other Peer Support Specialists as needed.
• Ensure that safety procedures are followed

• Support individuals in self-identifying their areas of need; support individuals in communicating these needs to members of their team (therapist, skills trainer, or other outside the agency supports).
• Monitor and assess general behaviors and activity levels, and the quality of client interactions; intervene as necessary or request assistance. Identify and resolve routine day-to-day program issues that may arise; refer non-routine issues to the Program Supervisor.
• Facilitate access to resources (public and private sector). Coach and support individuals as they make calls to access resources; and guide in completing forms and applications.
• Provide support and model self-advocacy on site and while on outings in the community.
• Empower clients to articulate their concerns and needs effectively; maintain local resources for clients to access independently; educate clients in resource research and how to access resources independently. Support the development and connection to natural supports within their community.
• Oversee and direct in a teaching kitchen setting, learning to prepare meals to meet basic needs.
• Attend staff meetings and schedule supplementary training; complete and submit scheduled reports, timesheets, progress notes, and other paperwork as required. Adhere to staff policies and procedures; review and sign confidentiality statements annually; review and sign code of ethics annually.
• Participate, as able, in evaluations of Peer Delivered Service Program efficacy and in program quality improvement activities.

• Competitive salary, dependent on experience.
• 95% employer-paid comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees only. Low deductible plans for family coverage through PEBB
• PERS Retirement Contribution
• 11 Holidays including 1 floating holiday
• 6 days paid vacation for part-time employees
•  6.75 sick days a year
• Education reimbursement and loan forgiveness- HRSA!

1. Application review
2. Questionnaire (if additional information is needed)
3. Panel Interview
4. Possible second-round panel interview
5. Conditional Offer
   1. DMV Record Review, if the position requires driving
   2. 10 Panel Drug Screen (Although recreational marijuana use is legal in the state of Oregon, you will not be considered for this position if you’re unable to pass a pre-employment drug screening due to federal regulations.)
   3. Criminal History check through Orchards BCU
   4. Reference check
   5. Licensure Primary Source Verification

MCCFL provides reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities. To request accommodation in the recruitment or selection process, please contact human resources at 541-288-4359 or email [email protected].

MCCFL provides reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities. To request accommodation in the recruitment or selection process, please contact human resources at 541-288-4359 or email hr@mccfl.org.