Supportive Housing Peer Support Specialist

Department: Client Services
Reports To: SupportiveHousing Program Manager
Position Type: 1.0FTE, 40 Hours/Week, Non-Exempt
Work Type: InPerson, Not Hybrid/Remote Eligible
Salary Range: $21.50to $22.79
Salary Note: Bilingual candidates are eligible for an additional $1.50 BilingualDifferential. This BilingualDifferential is not included in the salary range above.
Benefits Available: Readmore at
Agency Overview: Readmore at
External Applicants: Apply directly through our website, via the Agency Overview link. All applicants must submit a complete jobapplication, supplemental questions, and resume via the job portal to beconsidered.
Internal Applicants: Apply via email, following the emailed application instructions

Position Summary: ThePeer Support Specialist (PSS) will be a part of our multi-disciplinarySupportive Housing Program. A PSS has lived experience similar to clients inthis program. With this experience, the PSS helps model and teach appropriateboundaries and tenancy behavior to clients as needed, with a client-centeredand trauma-informed approach. The PSS must have strong boundaries and a clearunderstanding of structure and accountability. The PSS will work directly with people living with HIV to help increasetheir housing stability. The PSS will play a critical role in utilizing harmreduction strategies and motivational interviewing to empower clients to takesteps to improve their health and housing stability. PSS must be able toeffectively work with a variety of providers including substance use treatmentand behavioral health providers. Whilenot all clients will be ready to enter treatment, or engage in behavioralhealth care, the PSS will support them in identifying harm reduction goals todecrease the negative impact of substance use and reduce the risk of HIV andHCV transmission, and support the clients in behavior change. In addition, thisposition coordinates access to support services provided through the Ryan WhiteTreatment Modernization Act.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities:

• Travel:Frequently travel across service area, which may encompass multiple counties toprovide in-person services, including weekly home and/or community visits. Providefrequent client transportation and accompany clients to appointments tofacilitate access to treatment and other services and resources.
• ClientManagement: Carry an active caseload of program-eligible clients, providingdirect one-on-one peer services. Able to provide services in-person, over thephone and on a drop-in basis. Assist with coverage of services.
• Onboarding:Assess clients to determine program eligibility and support program enrollment.
• HousingSupport: Research and identify suitable housing options, including motelplacements, permanent supportive housing, and emergency shelters. Advocate forclient needs with prospective landlords.
• Health Insurance Support: Assist clients in signing up forhealth insurance, including Medicare, Medicaid and CAREAssist.
• Coordination of Services: Work collaboratively with OakProgram team members, Client Services department, and wider agency, landlords,medical providers, and community partners to facilitate access to housing,medical care, social services, mental health services, and public benefits.
• Documentation: Maintain accurate and timely documentationof client interactions, placements, services provided, and progress updates inagency databases. Process and collect necessary eligibility documents includingAuthorization for Release of Information.
• Crisis Intervention: Respond to client crises, includingeviction prevention and emergency relocation assistance, and follow up.
• Referrals: Refer clients to local resources as needed,often accompanying clients to support systems navigation.
• Community Engagement: Build partnerships with localproperty managers, housing authorities, and shelters to enhance housingplacement opportunities. Attend relevant community meetings and participate inongoing training and professional development.
• Client Events: Assist with planning and attending clientevents on a monthly to quarterly basis. This includes shopping for food,cooking, and socializing with clients at events. Ability to attend eventsoutside of normal business hours.
• Standards: Comply with all applicable program standards,guidelines, laws and administrative rules.
• Abilityto work well with others, handle stress appropriately, have reliable attendance
• Abilityto use personal cell phone to run agency phone system software, MFA, etc.
• Other tasks as assigned, includingtraining/cross-training other staff as needed

Required Qualifications:

• Minimum 1 year of experience working in a social servicesetting with clients who have substance use and/ or behavioral health barriers
• Current Peer Support Specialist or Certified RecoveryMentor certification from a State-approved training program, OR be able andwilling to become certified immediately
• Meets the definition of a Peer as defined by the State ofOregon Administrative Rule:
• self-identified person currently or formerly receivingmental health services; OR
• a self-identified person in recovery from a substanceabuse disorder, who meet the abstinence requirements for recovering staff inalcohol and other drug treatment programs;
• TB test (provided at agency)
• Valid Oregon driver's license, or valid out of statedriver's license with the ability to get an Oregon driver's license within 30days of establishing residency in Oregon, and a driving record sufficient to becovered by agency auto insurance policy.
• Ability to pass agency criminal background check
• Ability to obtain OHA Application Assister ID (costcovered by agency)
• Ability to obtain Food Handler's Card (cost covered byagency)

Professional Competencies:

• InterpersonalCommunication & Conflict Management (proactively communicateseffectively, listens carefully to others, exhibits acceptable standards ofconduct, deals effectively with others in difficult situations, works to reducetension & conflict)
• OrganizationalAwareness (takes time to learn about agency culture, policies, andprocedures; recognizes and balances the interest and impact of one's departmentwith those of other departments, programs, and the agency as a whole)
• EmbracesChange (actively identifies problems and opportunities for change,implements solutions where appropriate, maintains effectiveness & adjustswell when experiencing changes in work tasks, environment, processes, andrequirements)
• Livingthe Agency Vision & Values (demonstrates anunderstanding of agency vision and values, keeping the vision and values at theforefront of decision making)
• Client& Customer Focused (keeps client and customer needs aprimary focus; develops and sustains productive relationships with clients,customers, & partners)
• ValuingDiversity (appreciates and leverages the capabilities, insights,& ideas of all individuals; works effectively with individuals of diversestyle, ability, & motivation)

Physical Demands:

Whileperforming the duties of this job, the employee is required to

• Repetitivelyuse hands, including grasping, twisting/turning of wrists, and finger dexterityto perform various necessary clerical duties, such as typing and writing.
• Frequentlyuse arms, such as pushing & pulling to open/close drawers, cabinets, etc.
• Sitand/or stand for extended periods of time at an assigned station
• Bend,stand, & reach to be able to transport clients and to lift and carry up to25 pounds for tasks such as building kits & assembling testing/educationalmaterials.
• Use continuousclarity of vision at 20 inches or less for processing of paperwork

Thephysical demands described above here are representative of those that must bemet by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made toenable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of thejob.

Working Conditions, Travel, andEnvironment:

Theduties of this job require individuals to be able to work in non-traditionaland community-based settings. Additionally, the duties of this job include travel to other locationsnecessary to complete essential job functions, including the ability totransport self to job-related events and locations. This role requires regularreliable attendance, including:

• Abilityto work flexible hours, including early mornings, evenings, and weekends
• Abilityto work 5 days per week for a minimum of 40 hours per week
• Abilityto work in loud, crowded, busy, or escalated environments
• Abilityto drive at night and during various weather conditions safely