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 Blackburn Center is an innovative program that will offer integrated housing, health care, and employment services with the long term goal of eliminating homelessness. We seek to change how these services are delivered to all people, especially vulnerable populations. This position will work as a member of a multi-disciplinary team at the Blackburn Center to deliver comprehensive, person-centered, integrated services to the Portland Eastside community. This position supports recovering and formerly homeless individuals living in Alcohol and Drug-Free Community (ADFC) at the Blackburn Center Recovery housing by providing advocacy and recovery supports. The Peer Case Manager acts to ensure the stability of individuals within the program, is familiar with/able to access resources for benefits and entitlements, alcohol and drug treatment, mental health treatment, and housing, and be effective working independently, as a member of a team, and as a part of a larger coalition. The Peer Case Manager may also escort and provide transportation to clients on their case load to initial post Detox treatment episodes, primary care providers, twelve-step meetings, and other outside support meetings. The Peer Support Specialist is the second level of a three-level series. It is distinguished from the lower level by meeting a certification requirement and from the higher level by the absence of program representation responsibility in community settings and may receive functional guidance from the higher level.

Hours: M-F 8A-5P

Location: Blackburn Clinic 

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Work as a member of the Blackburn Center multi-disciplinary team to deliver comprehensive, client centered and trauma informed integrated services. 
• 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. 
• Proactively identify opportunities for improvement within Blackburn Center workflows and logistics. Participate in review of Blackburn Key Performance Indicators; review and contribute to continuous improvement opportunities and plans.
• Build understanding of and appreciation for diversity among Blackburn Center clients and support their connection to culturally responsive and culturally specific services as requested. 
• Work closely with the Housing Department and Supportive Housing team ensuring a safe and healthy recovering environment.
• Work with the entire Blackburn Care Teams to ensure the client needs are being met and the all care plans are communicated across those teams. 
• Work as a member of an integrated team at Blackburn Center across housing, primary care, substance use treatment and behavioral health teams. 
• Process resident/client intakes and discharges with completion of associated forms.
• Maintain resident/client files including progress notes and other records.
• Meet bi-weekly with clients along with other referral sources as needed.
• Refer clients to Employment Access Center and Community Volunteer Corps along with other CCC and outside agencies as appropriate.
• Communicate and meet regularly with Supported Employment staff to form a combined case plan for clients around recovery and employment.
• Identify community and individual issues which could result in a change in a client’s status and work to achieve appropriate resolution.
• Connect residents/clients to appropriate self-sufficiency and community based resources.
• Network with community substance abuse treatment providers.
• Provide on site urinalysis collection, including paperwork and tracking.
• Attend appropriate community professional meetings. 
• Escort clients to initial treatment episodes, to primary care provider, and to other providers when appropriate.
• Follow-up with referral resources to determine outcome of intervention. Maintain records on their progress.
• Assist in completing required reports for the Housing Department, Supportive Housing Department and/or Administration Department in a timely and accurate manner.
• Enter data into the Homeless Management Information System and/or other software systems.
• Follow all building rules.
• Monitor office and answer telephone as necessary.
• Participate in compliance, quality assurance and quality improvement activities as directed.
• Adhere to all state and federal privacy regulations, including HIPAA and 42 CFR Part 2, and to CCC policies and agreements regarding confidentiality, privacy, and security. Support compliance with all privacy and security requirements pursuant to community partners’ and outside providers’ patient confidentiality agreements, including privacy and security requirements for EMR access. 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. 
• Attend all mandatory CCC trainings in a timely manner. 
• Perform other duties as assigned. 

ABILITIES:

• Ability to consider the impacts and outcomes for underserved communities during decision-making processes.
• Ability to consider impacts of systems of oppression, structural racism, and individual bias on client outcomes.
• Knowledge of chemical dependency as a disease, treatment and intervention methods.
• Ability to understand mental health assessment, treatment and service terminology and apply the concepts.
• Ability to work as a team member and to establish priorities.
• Ability to display a non-judgmental attitude, and a willingness to learn new skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work without supervision.
• Demonstrated knowledge of community, social agencies, and self-help groups.
• Sufficient manual dexterity and physical ability to perform assigned tasks.
• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely both verbally and in writing.
• Knowledge of how deal with a combative tenant/client.
• Ability to work in an environment where people may be verbally hostile.
• Ability to manage time and meet deadlines.
• Ability to understand and follow verbal and written instructions.
• Ability to work courteously with the general public, clients, and co-workers.
• Ability to maintain accurate records and necessary paperwork.
• Ability to access and enter data into a web based data system.
• Ability to learn and apply training instruction.
• Knowledge of de-escalation methods or ability to be trained in de-escalation methods.
• Ability to effectively communicate with clients, co-workers, corrections personnel, police, merchants, the public at large and supervisor.
• Ability to provide leadership.
• Ability to provide advocacy, as appropriate.
• Professional maintenance of appropriate boundaries.
• Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with those contacted during the course of work.
• Physical ability to climb stairs several times a day.
• Physical ability to bend, stoop, kneel, squat, twist, reach, pull and lift heavy objects. 

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Requires high school diploma, GED, or demonstrated ability to read and write at a sufficient level.
• Must be registered, prior to start, as a Certified Recovery Mentor (CRM) with MHACBO; OR be a certified Peer Support Specialist (PSS) AND registered as a Traditional Health Worker (THW) on the THW Registry.  
• 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, pass a DMV background check and be designated an “acceptable” driver as outlined in Central City Concern’s Fleet Safety Policy. Must pass an initial driver’s training within 60 days of being an approved driver and continued recertification training.
• Must pass a pre-employment drug screen, TB test, and background check.
• Must carry an agency cell phone for work use. Cell phones will be provided by Central City Concern.
• Must adhere to agency’s non-discrimination policies.
• Ability to effectively interact with co-workers and clients with diverse ethnic backgrounds, religious views, political affiliation, cultural backgrounds, lifestyles, 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.