Peer Support Specialist

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES:

• Share lived experiences as a consumer to serve as an advocate for clients and provide feedback on the effectiveness of provided services.
• Assist and support customers, their caregivers and families with recovery training and self-advocacy skills; mentor, coach and problem solve with clients; provide access and referral to crisis support, symptom management, employment services and community resources. 
• Assist in the evaluation of consumer needs; advocate and represent the consumer, caregivers and families' perspective to staff and others.
• Provide one-to-one peer assistance and mentoring; organize and facilitate educational, skill building, wellness, recovery and advocacy groups and trainings; assist consumers in navigation of the mental health system and access to benefits and services.
• Participate in committees, trainings and staff meetings; provide program feedback, assessment and recommendations to achieve goals and objectives.
• Develop program communication and marketing materials; prepare and maintain case documentation, records and reports.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

LEVEL AND TYPE OF WORK AND/OR SUPERVISION:

Peer Support Specialist

• Entry level
• Paraprofessional
• Perform the more routine duties as assigned with increasing independence.
• Decisions made or actions taken require higher-level review and work is checked for progress and reviewed for quality and compliance to policy and procedures.
• Typically, incumbents may use the entry level to obtain the proficiencies to qualify at the next level in the classification series.
• Receive general supervision from manager or staff.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS GUIDELINES:

Any combination of experience and training that would likely provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. Requirements are determined at the time of recruitment based on responsibilities of the individual position and business needs of the department.

Peer Support Specialist

Training and experience for entry level, paraprofessional classifications are typically equivalent to an associate's degree and up to one (1) year of experience that demonstrates the ability to perform the duties of the position. (Equivalency 2-3 years of qualifying training and/or experience).

Depending upon assignment, candidates may be required to pass a criminal background check, have a valid driver license, and/or additional training, licenses, or certificates.

REQUIRED TRAINING, LICENSES, AND/OR CERTIFICATES:

• Meet the definition for Peer Support Specialist in Oregon Administrative Rule 410-180-0305.
• Six (6) months of paid or unpaid experience as a peer advocate in a mental health system.