Working Title: Peer Support Specialist
Program: Youth Drop In Center
Pay Range:$17.51-19.31 Hourly
Location: The Dalles, Oregon (This position will serve all three counties: Hood River, Wasco, and Sherman County)
FTE: 0.6 FTE (22.5 hours per Week)
FSLA Status: Non-Exempt
Classification General Statement:The Youth Peer Partner classification provides peer support to consumers who may be experiencing mental health issues in the community. This position facilitates contact with providers, assists with transportation issues and other issues that may be barriers to accessing treatment and/or support in the community. The Youth Peer Partner provides training in independent living skills, documents client progress and issues, and conducts program outreach as necessary.
The Youth Peer Partner - Drop-in Center empowers youth and young adults with behavioral, mental health, and other challenges by providing a variety of recovery-oriented services to individuals. This position works with individuals to promote greater independence, community integration and recovery for mental wellness.
Essential Responsibilities of the Classification:

• Meet regularly with consumers; train consumers in independent living skills and model same behaviors; provide feedback in the form of documentation describing interactions with consumers
• Maintain client documentation within scope of position using an electronic health record system
• Advocate on behalf of consumers and promote self-advocacy; maintain consumer networks in the community. Conduct outreach activities in local communities
• Communicate with treatment team about problems or concerns; participate in on-going support network with other Peer Support Specialists. Participate in team meetings with other MCCFL staff and volunteers
• Coordinate and facilitate oversight of outings/activities. Facilitate group planning of activity; ensure the group is in agreement. Accompany group on outings; ensure safety; provide transportation as required and appropriate
• Provide coverage for other Peer Partners and Peer Support Specialists as needed
• Ensure that safety procedures are followed

Position-specific Essential Responsibilities of the Youth Peer Partner – Drop-in Center (This position may include any of the aforementioned general responsibilities plus the following):

• Support individuals in self-identifying their areas of need and in communicating these needs to members of their team (Mental Health Specialist, Family Care Coordinator, and external supports)
• Monitor and assess general behaviors and activity levels, and the quality of client interactions; intervene as necessary or request assistance. Identify and resolve routine day-to-day program issues that may arise; refer non-routine issues to the Program Supervisor.
• Facilitate access to resources (public and private sector). Coach and support young people as they make calls to access resources; provide guidance in completing forms and applications.
• Provide support and model self-advocacy on site and while accompanying youth on outings in the community.
• Empower young people to articulate their concerns and needs effectively; maintain local resource information for young people to access independently; educate young people in resource research and how to access resources independently; support the development and connection of young people to natural supports within their community
• Oversee and direct youth in a teaching kitchen setting, learning to prepare meals to meet basic needs.
• Attend staff meetings and scheduled supplementary trainings; complete and submit scheduled reports, timesheets, progress notes, and other paperwork as required.
• Participate, as able, in evaluations of Peer Delivered Service Program efficacy and in program quality improvement activities

Job Specifications:

• A high school diploma or GED.
• Have or be able to obtain within a reasonable time frame, an Oregon Health Authority certification as a Peer Delivered Service Provider. Certification as a Peer Support Specialist (PSS) – Youth Support through completion of the PeerPlus training within 6 months of hire (MCCFL covers cost of training and paid hours for completion of this training after hire). Such certification must be current and valid at all times
• Have previous or current lived experience as a mental health treatment consumer, and/or support a family member with experience as a mental health treatment consumer, as defined by OAR 309-018-0105
• Must be 30 years of age or younger, as defined by OAR 309-018-0125
• Knowledge of youth bill of rights and support principles; current youth, young adult, and family mental health and other disability issues nationally and locally is preferred
• Knowledge of (or experience with) laws and policies related to special education, mental health, and other disabilities, child welfare, and juvenile justice preferred
• Must obtain and possess within 30 days of employment and maintain a current food handler’s permit
• Must possess a valid Oregon or Washington Driver's License, maintain an acceptable driving record and be insurable for client service purposes and for travel between business office for meetings and/or trainings.
• This position must pass all criminal history check requirements as required by ORS 181.536 to 181.537, and in accordance with OAR 407-007-0220 to 407-007-0370

Other Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:Knowledge: Knowledge of working with youth who may be experiencing significant mental, physical, socio-economic, and other life-altering situations; agency and community-based services and resources.
Skill: Skill to work with others and independently as needed; communicate effectively both in writing and verbally; utilize word processing and other software programs/systems.
Ability: Ability to maintain composure and direct escalated youth in a group setting; advocate for mental health assessment, treatment, and service terminology being shared with young people at an accessible level they can truly understand so they may be meaningfully informed and involved in their plan(s) of care; maintain proper and professional boundaries with youth and coworkers; interpret and follow written and verbal instructions, and to adapt and assimilate changes in programming and statutes; work within strong professional ethics and rules of confidentiality; present and exchange information internally across teams and co-workers, and externally with clients and the public; demonstrate a sincere interest in the welfare of peers, including the ability to see each person as a unique individual; function as an effective role model as a person in recovery to inspire hope, share life experiences and lessons learned; empower young people to be a part of the development of their individual plan of care; maintain regular and reliable attendance.
Leadership Received:This position works under the leadership of the Program Supervisor. Leadership may include triage with staff, and guidance and support of clients while demonstrating initiative and responding to concerns within the framework of trauma-informed care.
Leadership Exercised:Supervisory leadership is not a responsibility of this classification.
Physical Demands:Work Environment:Work is performed in various settings, including office environment, clinic, community settings and other agency stakeholder facilities. The office environment is typically with moderate stimuli and may often result in exposure to increased sensory experiences. Community settings may pose additional risks or discomforts which require safety precautions.
MCCFL provides reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities. To request accommodation in the recruitment or selection process, please contact human resources at 541-288-4359 or email hr@mccfl.org.
Powered by JazzHR
S4AISWcHem