Peer Support Specialist - VASH

Title: Peer Support Specialist - VASH (Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing) Continuum - HS042

Location: RiverHouse - 211 SE Caruthers Street Portland, OR 97214

Schedule: Mon-Fri 9-5p 

Wage Range: $20.55 - $27.85 non-exempt, hourly 

If you are a motivated and dedicated Peer Support Specialist - VASH (Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing) Continuum looking for an opportunity to contribute to an organization making a positive impact, we want to hear from you!

At NARA Northwest, you’ll find a supportive work environment where every team member is valued and respected. Whether you’re passionate about healthcare, behavioral health, education, or social services, there’s a place for you to make a meaningful difference.  

Company Mission:

The mission of NARA NW is to provide education, physical, mental health services, and substance abuse treatment that is culturally appropriate to American Indians, Alaska Natives, and anyone in need.

About the Company:

At NARA NW, we deliver services and support to Native American and Alaska Native communities, helping individuals lead healthier, more fulfilling lives.

With over 450 employees across a variety of programs—including medical and dental care, addiction treatment, housing assistance, and enrichment initiatives NARA NW offers numerous opportunities for growth and advancement, all while making a tangible, positive impact on the lives of others.

Position Overview:

The VASH Continuum Peer Support Specialist functions as a fully integrated member of the housing team to provide expertise about the recovery process, symptom management, and the persistence required by participants to have a satisfying life. The Peer Specialist collaborates to promote a team culture that recognizes, understands and respects each participant’s point of view, experiences and preferences within the context of Native American/Alaska Native culture.  They provide peer counseling and consultation to Veterans and their families receiving services through the VASH Continuum project, and team staff; acts as a liaison with community resources; carries out support functions; and assists in behavioral health services, education, support and consultation to Veterans, and crisis intervention under clinical supervision. These services may occur in individual residences, NARA sites, or at other points in the community.  

What you will do:

•    Openly identify as a Veteran who has lived the experience of receiving behavioral health services. Act as a role model to inspire hope and share life experiences as appropriate to the recovery process.
•    Provide expertise and consultation from a consumer perspective to the entire team concerning each participant’s unique and subjective experience and perceptions. 
•    Provide practical help and supports, mentoring, advocacy, coordination, side by side individualized support, problem solving, direct assistance and supervision to help participants obtain the necessities of daily living including medical and dental health care; legal and advocacy services; financial support such as entitlements (SSI, SSDI, veterans’ benefits); money-management services (e.g. payee services); and transportation.
•    Increase awareness of and support participation in consumer self-help programs, culturally specific services and consumer advocacy organizations that promote recovery.
•    Assist in the provision of ongoing assessment of VASH Continuum participant’s support service needs and suggest appropriate changes in service plans to ensure that appropriate services are provided in response to changes in needs, including behavioral health needs.
•    Assist in the provision of direct clinical services to participants on an individual, group and family basis in community settings to teach symptom-management techniques and promote personal growth and development.
•    Provide nutrition education and assistance with meal planning, grocery shopping and food preparation.
•    Ensure that participants have adequate financial support (help to gain employment and apply for entitlements).
•    Teach money management skills (budgeting and paying bills) and assist participants in accessing financial services.
•    Help participants to access reliable transportation (obtain a driver’s license and car, arrange for medical transport, use public transportation, find rides).
•    Assist and support participants to have and effectively use a personal primary care physician, dentist and other medical specialists as required.
•    Organize and lead individual and group social and recreational activities to help participants structure their time, increase social experiences, and provide opportunities to practice social skills and attend cultural activities.
•    Maintain appropriate and timely documentation as needed, and maintain confidentiality at all times. 
•    Actively seek information and trainings to maintain professional level skills.

We would like to hear from people that have:

    Requires a high school diploma, GED or equivalent.
    Must self-identify as a current or former recipient of behavioral health services and be willing to share lived experiences as appropriate. 
    Must have completed a Peer Wellness Training approved by The Oregon Health Authority (OHA) and qualify to be certified as a Peer Wellness Specialist within six months of hire date.
    Knowledge and understanding of mental illness, addictions, and physical health and ability to work within an integrated system of care program.  
    Requires exceptional interpersonal communication skills and the ability to engage and interact positively with participants to promote strengths and improve health and well being and to work collaboratively as part of an integrated team to coordinate care.
    Requires flexibility, confidentiality, demonstrated ability and ongoing commitment to the maintenance of professional boundaries with participants, the community, and other staff members, and the proven ability to work professionally and collaboratively in a team environment, treating everyone with respect and dignity at all times.
    If in recovery from substance abuse, must have a minimum of two years sobriety/clean time.
    Ability to pass a pre-employment or for cause drug tests.
    Ability to pass criminal background and DMV checks.
    Must be able to perform CPR and First Aid. CPR/ First Aid certifications are required and must remain current.
    Must demonstrate a high degree of comfort working with individuals actively experiencing symptoms of mental illness
    Competent with computers for word processing, internet, email and scheduling, or able to learn these skills.
    Must have a valid driver’s license in the state of Oregon or effectively use public transportation to travel independently in the program’s service area. 
    Ability to report to work reliably and in a timely fashion.

PREFERRED BUT NOT REQUIRED
•    Experience working with individuals diagnosed with severe and persistent mental illness. 
•    Experience working within the Native American/Alaska Native community is considered a plus.
•    At least one year of experience as a Peer Specialist or one year of experience working/volunteering in a helping profession.
 

What’s in it for you?

14 Paid Holidays: New Years Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Presidents Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Battle of Little Big Horn, Independence Day, Labor Day, Native American Day, Indigenous Peoples’ Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving, day after Thanksgiving, and December 25^th!

Benefits: Employees working 20 hours, or more are eligible for benefits. Benefits are effective from the 1st of the month following the date of hire. 

• Affordable Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance through Kaiser Permanente
• 14 Paid Holidays (Listed Above)
• 13 Paid Days of Sick Time
• 13 Paid Days of PTO (Vacation accruals increase with years of service to a maximum of 26 days)
• $50,000 Life Insurance & AD&D
• Short Term and Long-Term Disability
• Flexible Spending Account 
• Health Spending Account
• 401(k) with 4% Match
• Employee Assistance Program
• Inclement Weather Days (Snow Days)
• Public Student Loan Forgiveness -NARA NW is a local 501(c)3 nonprofit, FQHC

How to apply:

1. To Quick Apply, go to Careers – NARA NW (naranorthwest.org)
2. Look for the position you want to apply for and submit a resume (Required) and cover letter (Optional), that’s all!
3. Feel free to contact recruiting@naranorthwest.org if you have any questions or would like to know where your application is in the process.

NARA NW Mission: Our mission is to provide education, physical and mental health services and substance abuse treatment that is culturally appropriate to American Indians, Alaska Natives, and everyone in need.

NARA NW is fully committed to supporting sobriety. To support NARA NW in its mission, all employees agree to refrain from illicit drug use, marijuana use, and prescription drug abuse, both on and off the job. In addition, all employees agree to model alcohol sobriety. Modeling alcohol sobriety means not consuming, discussing, or promoting the use of alcohol, on the job, on social media and when in the community where the employee would be likely to be seen by NARA NW clients or community. If in recovery, employees must have been sober/clean for a length of time sufficient to demonstrate that they will be able to remain sober.

Consistent with NARA NW’s sobriety policy, all employees, volunteers, interns, and contractors, as applicable, are required to sign a “Drug-Free/Alcohol-Free Workplace Certification Form” and NARA NW “Modeling Sobriety Policy Form” as a condition of employment to confirm that they are aware of this policy and that they agree to comply with it. Violation of this policy will result in disciplinary action up to and including termination of employment. This policy is subject to the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act and its state counterpart

Preference in hiring is given to qualified Native Americans in accordance with the Indian Preference Act (Title 25, US Code, Sections 472 and 473). NARA Northwest is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Within the scope of Indian Preference, all candidates will receive equal consideration. Experience working with Native American/ Alaska Native community is considered a plus.

This job description is not intended to be and should not be construed as an all-inclusive list of all the responsibilities, skills or working conditions associated with the position. While it is intended to accurately reflect the position’s activities and requirements, the agency reserves the right to modify, add or remove duties and assign other duties, as necessary.