8858 - Peer Support Specialist (Health & Human Services)

Jackson County Employment Opportunity.

Peer Support Specialists at Jackson County Mental Health work as highly valued members of multi-disciplinary teams consisting of skilled behavioral health professionals including uniquely qualified peer support specialists, case managers, nurses, therapists, and psychiatric providers. We create a culture of recovery principles and practices wherein we provide an array of services to some of the county’s most vulnerable, acute, and underrepresented residents. 

JCMH is searching for Peer Support Specialists to work in multiple programs within the County, including Forensics, Crisis, and Assertive Community Treatment Programs. 

Specifically, we are looking for people who have lived through their own recovery and have experience dealing with tough systems, whether legal, civil, or both. The people you’ll support often face charges they don’t fully understand, constant pressure from the courts, substance use or mental health challenges, and very real barriers like unstable housing or limited options. It can be a lot, and it rarely moves at a pace that feels fair. 

Peer Support Specialists are not expected to act as clinicians or legal experts. What matters is lived experience and the way it helps us how up for people who feel overwhelmed or stuck. Peer Support Specialists perspectives help them sort through what’s going on, stay connected even when things get frustrating, and take steps forward in systems that can feel cold or confusing.

Peer Support Specialists who work at JCMH have an opportunity to help highly vulnerable and at-risk populations with psychiatric and behavioral health challenges in specialized programs unique to JCMH’s position and role in this community.

Jackson County strives to recruit, hire and retain the best employees!

• Pass a pre-employment drug screen, which includes screening for Marijuana. Click on the link to review Jackson County's Drug-Free Workplace Policy.

I.    Position Summary

Provides mentorship and support through strength-based interventions, education, coaching and resource referrals. Performs work within a framework of established procedures and with only occasional instruction or assistance within a framework of standard policies and procedures, initially under immediate supervision, progressing to general supervision as the incumbent becomes able to independently perform the full range of duties associated with this level.

II.   Examples of Essential Position Duties (The following duties represent some of the principal job duties; however, they are not all-inclusive. Other duties may be required or assigned.)

• Provides support, such as coaching, education, information and resource referral, to individuals that are receiving services in various programs throughout the Mental Health Division.
• Determines, through discussions with individual clients and the treatment team, what supports each individual needs in regards to food, shelter, medications, emotional support, problem solving, etc., and works to address those needs with the individual and community partners.
• Provides support in times of crisis to the clients and/or the client’s family as appropriate and in coordination with the treatment team, which may include responding with the crisis team as part of the mobile response team in the community.
• Assists individuals in making decisions about their resource needs as appropriate and in coordination with the resources team and defers to clinicians and managers when it is beyond the scope of peers.
• Establishes and maintains complete and accurate records of client activities, supports offered and progress in coordination with the treatment team. Accurately enters the appropriate information that supports the clinical needs of the client into the client record.
• Coordinates special programs and/or works with specific illnesses and age groups as assigned.
• Determines the needs of the individuals and works with clinicians and managers to develop appropriate group content.
• Adheres to regulatory requirements, collective bargaining agreements, County and departmental policies and procedures, required trainings, as well as safe work practices.
• Develops and maintains effective internal and external working relationships at all levels.
• Has regular and reliable attendance. Overtime may be required.

III.  Minimum Requirements (Performance of the essential duties of this position includes the following requirements, physical demands and/or working conditions)

Education and Experience

• High school diploma or equivalent AND one-year work experience working with others AND be a) a self-identified individual currently or formerly receiving addictions or mental health services OR b) a self-identified individual in recovery from an addiction disorder who meets the abstinence requirements for recovering staff in alcohol or other drug treatment programs OR c) a self-identified individual in recovery from problem gambling OR d) a family member of an individual with a mental health condition.

License, Certificate or Other

Requires possession of a valid driver’s license and an acceptable driving record. Requires certification by the Oregon Health Authority as a Peer Support Specialist within six months of hire.

IV.  Other Requirements

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Position requires knowledge of mental health systems; mental health terminology; available medical and community resources; record-keeping practices; safety procedures and protocol in mental health treatment. Requires the ability to work independently and as a team member; exercise initiative, tact and good judgment in dealing with people from various backgrounds; respond professionally and responsibly in crisis, emergency or dangerous situations; maintain records with accuracy and confidentiality; understand and carry out detailed instructions of a technical and professional nature; develop and maintain trusting relationships with community partners and stake holders; speak professionally, assertively and appropriately within the scope of work in advocating for the needs of clients; comply with all statutes, policies and procedures; understand and carry out oral and written directions; communicate effectively, both orally and in writing; and, establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Physical Demands (Performance of the essential duties of this position includes the following physical demands)

Tasks require visual perception and discrimination and oral communications ability. Typically requires climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, standing, walking, sitting, lifting, fingering, grasping, talking, hearing, seeing (including ability to clearly distinguish and identify colors), and repetitive motions. Requires exerting up to 20 pounds occasionally, 50 pounds infrequently, of force to move objects; sufficient hand/eye coordination to perform semi-skilled repetitive movements, such as typing, filing, data entry, or other office equipment or supplies. Requires driving.

Working Conditions (Performance of the essential duties of this position includes the following working conditions)

Work is performed in an office environment and in the community and may include exposure to disruptive people and communicable diseases.

V.   Additional Information

This classification description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of duties, knowledge, skills, abilities, or requirements, as any one position in this classification may be assigned some or all of these duties, in addition to other duties not explicitly listed here. The various duties, responsibilities and/or assignments of this position may be unevenly balanced and change from time to time based upon matters such as, but not limited to, variations in the shift, work demands, seasons, service levels and management’s decisions on how to best allocate department resources. Any shift, emphasis or rebalancing of these assigned duties, responsibilities and/or assignments does not constitute a change in the job classification. The County shall schedule employees and determine FTE consistent with its determination as to efficiency of operations, financial advantages to the County, and/or effective service to the public.

ADA and Equal Opportunity Employer

In accordance with the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) and its amendments, Jackson County does not discriminate on the basis of disability in its hiring or employment practices. A person who requires an accommodation for any part of the recruitment process should contact the Human Resources Office, Attn. ADA Coordinator, at (541) 774-6036 or by TTY/TDD 711 or (800) 735-2900 as far in advance as possible but no later than 48 hours before the scheduled need.

Jackson County is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, age, national origin or disability. For a copy of Jackson County's Equal Employment Opportunity Plan, visit our web site at www.jacksoncountyor.gov or call 541-774-6036.

Because of the Immigration Reform Act of 1986, persons hired by the County must be able to present acceptable documents verifying identity and authorization to work in the United States.