JOB TITLE: PEER SUPPORT SPECIALIST

LOCATION: Umatilla and Morrow Counties

FLSA: 1 FTE Non-Exempt (expectation to work 40 hours per week)

SUPERVISOR: ACT Clinical Supervisor

Pay Grade: B06 ($21.15 - $30.53 per hour, depending on experience)

Eligible for 10% increase if you're bilingual - added to pay after language test is passed

*** $5,500 Hiring Bonus available until 10/31/26!!

(2 year Commitment, Staggered-taxed Payout)

Community Counseling Solutions provides a team-based Servant Leadership environment! Located in Eastern Oregon with year-round recreation based near the Columbia River and at the base of the Blue Mountains. Big city amenities in rural family-oriented communities.

Apply Directly at https://ccswebsite.org/employment/

Our mission is to provide dynamic, progressive, and diverse supports to improve the well-being of our communities and we’re looking for motivated employees to help us continue our vision!

CCS has a benefit package including, but not limited to:

• Health, dental and vision insurance
• 6% initial 401K match
• Potential for tuition reimbursement
• Paid vacation tiers ranging from accrual of 1 day to 4 days per month (Annual rollover cap of 220 hours, additional hours can be paid out at 50% at the end of the fiscal year)
• 9 Paid holidays, Community service day
• Floating holiday & 2 mental health days provided after 1 year introduction
• Employee Assistance, Wellness Benefits, Dependent Care & Long-Term Disability Insurance

DESCRIPTION

This position will have a history of mental health or substance use issues and will have received services at some point in their history. This position will share their life experiences in the work with Community Counseling Solutions (CCS) clients. This position will work with clients in the Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) Program located in Umatilla County. This position will understand and respect each client’s point of view, experiences and preferences, and work with other CCS staff to maximize client choice, self-determination and decision making in the planning and delivery of treatment. They will provide peer counseling and consultation to individuals, families and other staff as needed. They will also provide rehabilitation and support functions as needed.

SUPERVISION

Supervision Received

This position is supervised by the ACT Clinical Supervisor/Team Lead.

Supervision Exercised

This position does not supervise other employees.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide peer counseling and support, drawing on common experiences as a peer, validate clients’ experiences and provide guidance and encouragement to client to take responsibility and actively participate in their own recovery; serve as a mentor to clients to promote hope and empowerment.
• Provide individual and group skills training. Co-facilitate the weekly Dual Diagnosis Groups.
• Ensure accurate, timely and complete documentation of all clinical documents and subsequent data entry when required.
• Help clients and family members identify, understand, and combat stigma and discrimination associated with mental illness and develop strategies to reduce self-stigma. Increase awareness of and support client and family participation in consumer self-help services and programs.
• Participate in daily ACT Team meetings to discuss client progress and goals. Participate in other CCS clinical meetings and trainings as required.
• Participate as requested in individual and group clinical supervision specific to the ACT Team, as well as other required weekly and monthly supervision meetings.
• Provide cross-training to team members twice annually.
• Provide support to clients who are in crisis by spending time with them in their home or while at an emergency room or office setting. Provide peer support services, working in tandem with the ACT or Crisis Teams, until the crisis is resolved, or alternative placement options are secure.
• Provide transportation to clients when clinically recommended to assist client in access to services.
• Provide after-hours phone support to ACT clients on a rotating basis for seven days at a time.
• Report any suspicions of abuse to the appropriate department, complete documentation, and create safety plans as necessary

QUALIFICATIONS

Education and/or Experience

No minimum education or experience required.

Certifications

The employee must attend Intentional Peer Support (IPS) training within 60 days of the start date and complete all training requirements to obtain certification within six months of hire. Certification must be maintained throughout employment with CCS in the Peer Support Specialist position.

Other Skills and Abilities

• Must have the ability to effectively communicate orally and in writing.
• Ability to develop positive working relationships with team members, co-workers, community partners, and the public.
• Ability to represent CCS within the community and at State or regional meetings, including the ability to speak in public.
• Knowledge, understanding and willingness to adhere to confidentiality laws and expectations.
• Must be able to work independently, without constant and strict supervision.
• Must posses conflict resolution skills.
• Ability and willingness to be at work on time and follow direction from a supervisor.
• Must have good typing skills, have knowledge of basic office software programs and ability to effectively use such software.
• Must be able to communicate effectively in both written and oral formats. Must have the ability to present and exchange information internally across teams and co-workers, and externally with customers and the public. Information communicated ranges from routine/basic to complex and confidential information.

CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECKS

Must pass all criminal history check requirements as required by ORS 181.536-181.537 and in accordance with OAR 410-007-0200 through 410-007-0380.

In addition to a pre-employment background check, each employee, volunteer and contractor shall be checked on a monthly basis against the OIG and GSA exclusion lists, as well as other federal and state agency lists. If it is discovered that an employee, volunteer or contractor is excluded or sanctioned it will be the cause for immediate termination of employment, volunteering, or the termination of the contract.

PRE HIRE DRUG SCREEN REQUIRED

PERSONAL AUTO INSURANCE

Must hold a valid driver’s license as well as personal auto insurance for privately owned Vehicles utilized for CCS business such as client service purposes, travel between

business offices and the community, to attend required meetings and trainings.

Must show proof of $300,000 or more liability coverage for bodily injury and $100,000 or more liability coverage for property damage, and maintain said level of coverage for the duration of employment at CCS.

The employee’s insurance is primary with CCS insurance being secondary. CCS reserves the right to deny any employee the use of a vehicle owned by CCS.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

While performing the essential duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use office automation including computer and phone system that requires fine manipulation, grasping, typing, and reaching. Sitting for several hours reviewing reports and other written materials, and talking on phone. This position may occasionally be required to lift up to ten (10) pounds. Incumbent will occasionally have to reach, bend, kneel and squat when adjusting equipment or retrieving supplies.

The employee needs to be able participate in vehicle travel between business offices, client homes, in the community, and to attend required meetings and/or trainings.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Work is performed in an office environment and in many community settings such as schools, client homes, hospitals, jails, other public agencies and community groups in a variety of locations. The noise level is usually moderate, but occasionally may be exposed to loud noise such as raised voice levels and alarms.

This position is exposed to the everyday risks or discomforts which require normal safety precautions typical of such places as an office (i.e., moving mechanical parts, airborne particles, and electrical shock).

Community Counseling Solutions

IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

MEMBER OF NATIONAL HEALTH SERVICES CORPORATION