Peer Support Specialist (Ps21)

Salary : $41,346.00 - $54,252.00 Annually
Location : Corvallis, OR
Job Type: Regular Full-time
Job Number: 23-00191
Department: Health Services
Division: AFSCME
Opening Date: 12/26/2023
Closing Date: 2/7/2024 11:59 PM Pacific
Bargaining Unit:: AFSCME
Classification:: Program Specialist 1
FLSA Exempt Status: Overtime Non-Exempt
Job Summary
Are you interested in working in a non-traditional treatment setting? We have the job for you. This position will be an integral part of our Crisis/Jail and Forensics Team with the Benton County Health Department. This position will require the successful candidate to work in settings that include hospitals, jails, court, community, and other non-clinic based services to serve individuals with Severe and Persistent Mental Illness.
Job Summary
The Peer Support Specialist provides essential services and supports to individuals with similar lived experiences. This position functions as a community outreach worker within the Behavioral Health Program to assist community members address overall health improvement goals and participates as a care team member to provide client centered services within the behavioral health program to improve engagement and participation in services. This position provide services at multiple sites in Benton County.
If you like to be able to get out of the office, and have the flexibility to work with clients in a less traditional but effective ways, this may be a position for you. Strong communication skills and a desire to work with colleagues are highly valued and needed.
Click herefor a complete list of the duties, responsibilities and physical requirements of this position.
The first review of applications will be on January 10th, 2024Applications that are submitted after this date may or may not be considered for interviews. The posting may close without notice after the first review date when a sufficient number of qualified candidates are received.
Your Total Compensation/Benefits

• Spend more time with your family, friends and get back to doing what you love!
  • 10 Paid Holidays + 2 Floating Holidays + 8 hours of vacation accrual every month + sick leave! Vacation accrual increases with years of service.
• $0 Health Insurance Premium!
  • Medical, Dental and Vision - cover your whole family without paying a dime.
  • The county currently pays up to $10.28 per hour to cover your health benefits ($1,781 a month for a family plan, $21,372 a year).
  • In addition, the county contributes up to $1,400 per year to your Health Savings or Retirement account!
    • Apart from your deductible you can use this money for things that aren't traditionally paid by insurance - i.e. Ibuprofen, Tylenol and other preventative type medications
    • You never lose your Health Savings Account funds as it rolls over from year to year
• Dependents up to age 26 are covered!

Get ready for retirement. Save money without putting in money!

• After 6 months of employment:
• The county makes a retirement contribution of 6% of your salary towards Oregon PERS!
• The county makes a deferred compensation 457b plan contribution of 1.5% of your salary! You can add more if you wish.

A free and award-winning wellness program

• Interactive and personalized approach focused on your whole health
• Onsite and virtual seminars, wellness challenges and fun activities
• Monetary incentives and cool prizes to engage everyone and meet your individual needs

100% employer-paid coverage for AD&D ($100,000), Life ($50,000), and Long Term Disability coverage.

• Supplemental plans are available at reasonable rates!

Annual salary range of:

• $41,346 - $54,252
• This position guarantees two salary raises within your first year. Increases are given at the end of the 6 month probationary period and at the 1 year anniversary, as long as your performance is in good standing! Increases are given until the maximum of the salary range is reached.
• For most employees who take advantage of health benefits the salary only makes up 60% of their total compensation. The County invests in you and your family!

Have benefits questions?

• Reach out to us anytime:

We encourage applications from members of historically underrepresented racial/ethnic groups, women, individuals with disabilities, veterans, and LGBTQIA+ community members. The strength of our organization lies in the diversity of our workforce and the perspectives our employees bring to their work at Benton County.
Minimum Qualifications
The following minimum qualifications are required for this position:

• One year of technical training beyond high school in substance abuse, social work, or closely related field; AND
• One year of social work, psychology, counseling, recovery orientated peer services, mental health outreach or closely related experience in the field of assignment.
  An equivalent combination of education and experience may be accepted. Please note candidates must have at least 6 months of actual work experience to be considered as equivalent.
  Please ensure you have provided a thorough and updated application as it pertains to the position for which you are applying. Your application materials will be used to determine salary based on a pay equity assessment. For further information, please click on the link for more details.

Special Requirements:
The following are required for this position:

• To be eligible for this position, one or more of the following must apply to you:
  • A self-identified person with lived experience in the justice/forensic systems. (highly preferred)
  • A self-identified individual currently or formerly receiving addictions or mental health services
  • 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
  • A self-identified individual in recovery from problem gambling

Must possess an approved Peer Specialist training: State of Oregon Traditional Healthcare Worker (THW) Certification or be able to obtain certification within one year of employment as a condition of hire.

Hiring is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check.

Valid Oregon driver's license. This position requires driving and may require use of a personal vehicle.

Questions regarding this position can be directed to
Eric Bowling, MSW, LCSW
Program Manager
Benton County Health Department
Telephone: (541) 766-6133
Working & Living in Benton County
Perfectly placed in the Willamette Valley, 90 miles south of Portland and 40 miles north of Eugene, Benton County has easy access to urban areas with ample opportunities for cultural activities. Combined with outdoor recreation galore in the Cascade Range 80 miles to the east and the Coastal Range and Pacific Ocean 50 miles west, the county's 90,000 residents like to say they "have it all."
Benton County Mental Health Services
Working at Benton County
Living in Benton County
How to Apply

• To apply for this position, click on the "Apply" button to fill out all information in the online application and complete the questionnaire. Failure to do so may result in your application being removed from consideration.
• Only complete applications received by the posted application deadline date, or the first review date will be considered.
• Answer all supplemental questions.

After you Apply

• You will get an email stating your application has been submitted. Log in to your NeoGov account before the job announcement closes to see if you have any pending tasks or notifications, and make sure to complete these tasks before the job announcement closes. These can be found under the "My Applications" section.
• Be sure to check both your email and NeoGov account for updates regarding this recruitment.

Additional information

• This is a FLSA non-exempt position.
• This position requires driving and may require use of a personal vehicle.
• Hiring is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check.
• Please save a copy of this job announcement for your reference, as it may not be available for you to view after the job closes.
• Eligible veterans who meet the qualifications will be given veterans' preference. For further information, please see the following website: NOTE: If claiming veterans' preference please be sure to attach your DD214 or Disability letter from the VA.
• Benton County does not offer VISA sponsorships. Within three days of hire, you will be required to complete the US Department of Homeland Security's I-9 form confirming authorization to work in the United States. Benton County will review these documents to confirm that you are authorized to work in the United States.
• If you wish to identify yourself as an individual with a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and will be requesting accommodation, please contact the Benton County Human Resources Department by calling 541-766-6081.

Benton County is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer committed to work force diversity, fair employment practices and non-discrimination, including pay equity for all employees. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, marital status, family status, national origin, age, mental or physical disability, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or source of income.
Helpful links and contact information
Learn more about
webpage
For more information you may contact us by e-mail at recruiting@bentoncountyor.gov or by phone at 541-766-6081.
EMPLOYEE BENEFITS AT BENTON COUNTY
Working for the County is so much more than a job. It is a chance to make a local difference - in your own life and the lives of the people around you.
Perfectly placed in the Willamette Valley, ninety miles south of Portland and forty miles north of Eugene, Benton County has easy access to urban areas with ample opportunities for cultural and major sporting events. Combined with unmatched outdoor recreation, County residents like to say they "have it all". With the Cascade Range, eighty miles to the East, and the Pacific Ocean fifty miles to the West - going out for a day at the beach, fishing, hunting, cycling or hiking is all within reach - Benton County truly offers something for everyone.
We offer a comprehensive benefits package designed to meet the needs of its employees and their families. Competitive benefits and an active employee wellness program is a top priority for the County.
PLEASE CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE BENEFITS SUMMARY!
01
Do you have lived experience(s) in the justice system?

• Yes
• No

02
Please tell us about your experience with individuals who are involved in the justice system.
03
To be eligible for this position, one of the following must apply to you. Please check all that apply:

• A self-identified person with lived experience in the justice/forensic systems.
• A self-identified individual currently or formerly receiving addictions or mental health services.
• 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
• A self-identified individual in recovery from problem gambling
• None of the above.

04
Are you willing to share your lived experience during the interview process?

• Yes
• No

Required Question