Description

Peer Mentors engage with and support the recovery of transition-age homeless youth (ages 16-24) who are affected by drugs or alcohol or experiencing mental health concerns. They advocate for homeless youth, act as role models for a recovery lifestyle, and create visibility via outreach. As part of the Recovery Oriented Support and Engagement (ROSE) Project, Peer Mentors work closely with mental health and other specialists to develop program services. They demonstrate professionalism and an understanding of street culture while blending a recovery model with a harm-reduction approach. They work directly with youth to engage them in recovery-oriented activities and promote healthy decision-making. Peer Mentors personally identify as someone with relatable lived experience, can effectively connect with young people, and are committed to actively role modeling recovery skills in their own lives.

This is a temporary position through June 30, 2025.

Essential Duties

• Represent the program by acting as a role model for positive recovery behaviors.
• Participate in outreach and create program visibility by providing information on services in areas where homeless youth engage.
• Establish and maintain effective, professional working relationships with youth participants.
• Help to facilitate regular, pro-social, sober recreational activities both on-site and off-site.
• Work with other Homeless Youth Continuum employees to co-facilitate youth activities. 
• Provide recovery support by attending groups, connecting them with appointments, or participating in recreational activities. 
• Assist youth in obtaining and navigating resources, referrals or services, including the Oregon Health Plan, shelter and transitional housing options, AA/NA or LGBTQ groups.
• Participate in crisis prevention, intervention, and support as needed.
• Establish professional, collaborative, working relationships with case managers, mental health care providers and other practitioners working with homeless youth. 
• Stay calm, alert, and emotionally available in a high-risk, on-street environment.
• Work to maintain self-care and develop an individualized peer recovery plan to support sustainability as a peer in a challenging work environment.
• Participate in trainings offered by the project and Outside In to foster cultural awareness.
• Ensure timely, thorough documentation of project services and outcomes.

Knowledge and Skills

Knowledge

• Knowledge or personal experience of the lifestyles and culture of homeless youth.
• Knowledge or personal experience of issues related to substance use.

Skills

• Good basic youth engagement skills.
• Ability to work with a diverse population and interact effectively with different types of people.
• Good communication and conflict resolution skills.
• Good written and verbal communication skills.
• Commitment to continual learning and quality performance.
• Maintain professional boundaries and performance at all times. 
• Ability to effectively learn and use computer systems.
• Perform all required documentation and information input in a professional, thorough, and timely manner.
• Spanish language fluency preferred, but not required.

Qualifications

Education / Experience

• Relatable lived experience.
• Peer Support Specialist Certification required.

Working Conditions

This job includes working in a standard office environment, drop-in programs, shelters, and out in the community with participants for both outreach and recreational activities. There is exposure to outdoor weather while walking to different work sites, conducting outreach, and traveling to recreation activities in the community.

Physical Requirements

• Physical ability to bed, stoop, kneel, squat, twist, reach, pull and lift heavy objects.
• Must be able to climb stairs several times a day.
• Must be able to participate in street outreach, which may include walking/covering up to five miles a day, while carrying a bag of supplies.
• Flexibility to work evenings and weekends.
• If in recovery, must be able to document continuous abstinence under independent living conditions or recovery housing for immediate past year.
• Must pass pre-employment background check. This includes clearance by the DHS Background Check Unit.

Salary : $25 - $27