Peer Support Specialist -Blackburn Recovery Program

Central City Concern is an innovative nonprofit agency providing comprehensive services to single adults and families in the Portland metro area who are impacted by homelessness, poverty and addictions. We hire people that are skilled and passionate to meet our mission through outcome-based strategies which support personal and community transformation.
SUMMARY: The Peer Support Specialist provides a variety of recovery-oriented services to individuals who have self-identified as desiring Peer Supports, in order to promote greater independence, community integration and recovery from mental illness and/or addiction. Services provided by peers (people in addiction recovery or with co-occurring mental health disorders) include a wide range of supports, services, and advocacy that contribute to a client's ability to engage in ongoing treatment.
Hours: M-F 10A-7P
Starting wage: $22.46
RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Work as a member of the Blackburn Center multi-disciplinary team to deliver comprehensive, client centered and trauma informed integrated services.
• Adhere to the key principles of the Blackburn team: monitor for disruptive behaviors, engage positively with members and model recover-based relationships, while fulfilling the different duties in the day-to-day operation.
• Actively participate in the integration of services at the Blackburn Center and identify new opportunities to improve collaboration between and within service and care teams while carefully following information-sharing guidelines.
• Exemplifies recovery principles in order to show by example that recovery is possible and attainable. Share their own recovery story as appropriate, and walks the road of recovery alongside the service recipient.
• Participate in programming development, including but not limited to: peer-led healing and recovery groups, routine events throughout the year and more.
• Work with clients to identify wellness and recovery goals.
• Work with clients on specific objectives in conjunction with the case manager and the client's ISSP.
• Attend and positively participate in required team, agency, and interdisciplinary meetings.
• Coordinate and consult with other team members to keep team informed of issues and progress
• Ensure timely completion of all required paperwork.
• Work to increase level of cultural sensitivity, awareness and competency regarding Person Centered and Peer Delivered Services.
• Document all peer contact at time of service. Maintain records and documentation in accessible and legible form.
• Work with Blackburn Recovery Program Leadership team to develop and support new programming
• Participate in group supervision as required.
• Support clients in establishing community integration, including, but not limited to accessing recovery meetings, faith-based support, clean and sober recreation, etc., in their neighborhoods.
• Facilitate activity groups.
• Coordinate pro-social activities in the community.
• Cultivate and maintain positive working relationships with clients, staff, and other community resources.
• Provide support with transporting identified clients from their homes to the office for groups, individual sessions or other appointments in the community. Assist in developing skills with public transportation as appropriate.
• Attend all mandatory CCC trainings in a timely manner.
• Adhere to all state and federal privacy and security regulations applicable to the program, and to CCC policies and agreements regarding confidentiality, privacy, and security. This includes immediately reporting any breach of protected health information or personal identification information of any person receiving CCC services by CCC or an outside provider to the CCC Compliance Department, as well as to your supervisor or their designee.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

ABILITIES:

• Ability to consider the impacts and outcomes for underserved communities during decision-making process.
• Ability to consider impacts of oppression, structural racism, and individual bias on client outcomes
• Knowledge and skills in counseling techniques with individuals and groups.
• Ability to work effectively with peers, individual clients and groups.
• Ability to work as a team member and to establish priorities.
• Ability to apply principles learned to new situations.
• Ability to learn new skills.
• Ability to display a non-judgmental attitude.
• Knowledge of community and social service agencies.
• Ability to follow oral and written directions and to apply techniques for specific needs.
• Knowledge and skills in mental health treatment methods and crisis intervention.
• Knowledge and skills in chemical dependency treatment methods and crisis intervention.
• Sufficient manual dexterity and physical ability to perform assigned tasks.
• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely both orally and in writing.
• Ability to work in an environment where people may be hostile or abusive.
• Ability to manage time and meet deadlines.
• Ability to work courteously and effectively communicate with the general public, clients, medical personnel, corrections personnel, police, and co-workers.
• Ability to maintain accurate records and necessary paperwork.
• Knowledge of de-escalation methods or ability to be trained in de-escalation methods

QUALIFICATIONS:

• High School diploma or GED Equivalent required.
• Registered with MHACBO as Certified Recovery Mentor (CRM); OR Certified Peer Support Specialist (or Peer Wellness Specialist) AND registered with Traditional Health Workers Registry.
• Education, training or experience in chemical dependency or mental health treatment preferred.
• Must be able to provide peer delivered services as described in Medicaid guidelines.
• Ability to adhere to Central City Concern's drug-free workplace which encourages a safe, healthy and productive work environment and strictly complies with the Drug-Free Work Place Act of 1988. An employee shall not, in the workplace, unlawfully manufacture, distribute, dispense, possess or use a controlled substance or alcohol.
• Must possess a current driver's license, access to a vehicle, qualify as an Acceptable Driver as designated in Central City Concern's Fleet Safety policy. Must pass an initial drivers training within 60 days of being an approved driver and continued recertification training. Must maintain vehicle insurance coverage of a minimum of $100,000/$300,000 personal auto liability coverage.
• Must pass a pre-employment drug screen and background check.
• Physical ability to bend, stoop, kneel, squat, twist, reach, pull and lift heavy objects.
• Must be able to climb stairs several times a day.
• Must adhere to agency's non-discrimination policies
• Ability to effectively interact with co-workers and clients with diverse ethnic backgrounds, religious views, cultural backgrounds, life-styles, and sexual orientations and treat each individual with respect and dignity.

Benefits: Central City Concern offers an incredible benefits package to our Regular/FT employees:

• Generous paid time off plan which provides up to 4 weeks of PTO accrual in the first year. Accrual increases with longevity.
• Amazing 403(b) Retirement Savings plan with competitive employer match with 4.25% in the first year, 6% in the second year, and 8% in the 3rd year.
• 11 paid Holidays PLUS 2 Personal Holidays to be used at the employee's discretion.
• Comprehensive Medical, Vision, and Dental insurance coverage.
• Employer Paid Life, Short Term Disability, AND Long Term Disability Insurance!
• Excellent relocation package for those roles that qualify.
• Sabbatical Program offering extended time off at years 7, 14, and 21.

This description is intended to provide a snapshot of the work performed and is not designed to contain a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of the position.
As an agency deeply rooted in recovery, part of our policy and commitment to a drug and alcohol-free workplace includes post-offer, pre-employment drug screens. Please note we follow Federal Guidelines regarding prohibited substances, even for those legal at the state level.
Central City Concern is a second chance employer and complies with applicable laws regarding consideration of criminal background for employment purposes. Government regulations, contractual requirements, or the duties of this job may require CCC to conduct a background check and take appropriate action to address prior criminal convictions.
Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor's legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)