Peer Support Specialist (PS21)

JOB SUMMARY
Peer Support Specialist duties include assisting their peers in articulating their goals for recovery, learning, and practicing new skills, helping them monitor their progress, supporting them in their treatment, modeling effective coping techniques and self-help strategies based on the specialist's own recovery experience, supporting them in advocating for themselves to obtain effective services, and developing and implementing recovery plans. This position will provide peer services in all safety net programs.
   
Click here: for a complete list of the duties, responsibilities and physical requirements of this position.
BENEFITS

• Generous time off to maintain a healthy work-life balance!
  • 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 eligible family members without additional premium.
  • In addition, the County contributes up to $1,400 per year to your Health Savings or Health Reimbursement 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. Generous employer paid contributions!
  • 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: recruiting@bentoncountyor.gov

  
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 closely related 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 Oregon Pay Equity Law 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 OHA approved Peer Specialist training: 
  • State of Oregon Traditional Healthcare Worker (THW) Certification
  • MHACBO Certified Recovery Mentor
• 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 
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.”


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 is represented by the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME). 
• This position requires driving and may require use of a personal vehicle. 
• Hiring is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check.
• This posting may be used to fill multiple vacancies.
• 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: Veterans Resources. 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.

 
Helpful links and contact information
Learn more about Benton County
Understanding the County Application Process
Job Interest Cards webpage
 
For more information you may contact us by e-mail at recruiting@bentoncountyor.gov or by phone at 541-766-6081.

Salary : $41,346 - $54,252