What are the responsibilities and job description for the Youth Support Specialist position at Polk County, Oregon?
Brief Description
ABOUT THE JOB
We are looking for someone eager to help others by drawing upon their lived experience in youth-serving systems. This position will be a vital member of our youth Wraparound team with a mission to keep youth active and engaged in their community, while building natural connections, to support the success of the youth and their family. The youth partner is just that, a resource dedicated to help the youth become engaged in the process, and support them in expressing themselves confidently to the other members of their wraparound team. The person suited for this position will be under the age of 30.
This position may be eligible for hybrid in-office/remote work as allowed by policy and approved by the supervisor upon completion of the employee’s trial service period.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Must have a high school diploma or GED equivalent. As defined by Oregon Administrative Rule 309-032-1501, a "Peer Support Specialist" provides peer delivered services to an individual or family member with similar life experience, under the supervision of a qualified Clinical Supervisor. A Peer Support Specialist must have at least one year of experience: as a self-identified person currently or formerly receiving mental health services; or a self-identified person in recovery.
SPECIAL QUALIFICATIONS
- Must possess or have the ability to obtain a valid Oregon driver's license within 30 days of hire.
Must hold a Traditional Health Worker certificate as a Peer Support Specialist, with a specialty in Youth Support, at the time of hire or within two (2) months of hire. For information on how to become a certified Traditional Health Worker please visit: https://www.oregon.gov/oha/ei/pages/thw-become-certified.aspx
General Statement
Polk County, the Organization:
Polk County takes pride in knowing that our employees are what makes the County a great place to work. We have a strong desire for each employee to feel respected; connected to the department they work for as well as other County departments and the community at large; and know that they are critical to County business. We understand that work may be necessary, but not what should define each individual. We all have diverse personalities and interests away from the job, and at Polk County we encourage our employees to be connected to something bigger than work.
Benefits:
- Polk County offers generous employee benefits including, but not limited to:
- 11 paid holidays per year
- 8 hours of vacation earned monthly (increasing with years of service)
- 8 hours of sick leave earned monthly
- 4-5 Personal Leave Days earned each fiscal year (Depends on position; prorated depending on date of hire
- PERS (Public Employees Retirement System) - 100% employer funded contributions
- Full health benefits with employee paying only 10% of the premium which covers all members of the employee's immediate family
- Life Insurance - employer paid
- Qualifying employer for Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness program
- HRSA/NHSC approved site for certain positions
Our Community:
Polk County is located in the Willamette Valley just an hour from the Pacific Coast to the west and an hour from Portland to the north. The population is approximately 87,000 and the county spans about 744 square miles, with two thirds of the western part of the county being forest. National protected areas include the Baskett Slough National Wildlife Refuge and Siuslaw National Forest.
The County is part of the agricultural richness the Willamette Valley has to offer. In recent decades, the valley has also become a major wine producer, with Polk County being one of the best in the area. The valley is often known as the “Oregon Wine Country”. Polk County has over 25 wineries alone.
Polk County also houses the beautiful liberal arts college, Western Oregon University, and is only 30 miles from Oregon State University. Western was an inaugural winner of the Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) award. This award recognizes universities and colleges that have demonstrated the highest level of commitment and action towards fostering a campus community that celebrates all the many facets of diversity. WOU is one of the most diverse universities in Oregon and has a higher percentage of Latino students in the Oregon University system.
Qualifications
Please refer to the Class Specification for the full job description and minimum experience, education and training requirements for this position.
Supplemental Information
**Please Note: Applicants who may currently be receiving mental health or addiction treatment services with Polk County Behavioral Health are advised of the following guidelines for employees: "In order to avoid conflicts of interest and maintain confidentiality amongst colleagues, Health Services employees seeking behavioral health services are encouraged to utilize resources outside of the Polk County Behavioral Health system. This does not apply to family members of the employee.”
** A cover letter is required. If you are a military veteran and want to apply for Veterans' Hiring Preference, you must attach the Veterans' Preference Form (available on our website) and your DD-214/215 and/or disability letter. **
** DO NOT ATTACH ANY OTHER DOCUMENTS (transcripts, letters of recommendation, certificates, etc.) They will not be considered at the application stage. You may bring them to the interview if you are selected to interview. **
Polk County is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer. Reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities will be provided upon request.
