Peer Support Specialist

The Peer Company

Peer Support Specialist – Apple Store Job Description

Pay: $25.00 Per Hour

Schedule: 1.0 FTE (40 hours per week)

Days/Hours: Wednesday to Sunday, 10:30AM - 6:30PM

Benefits: This is a benefited position as outlined in The Peer Company Employee Handbook

Title: Peer Support Specialist

Reports to: EVOLVE Peer Delivered Services Program Supervisor

Department: EVOLVE Peer Delivered Services

Job Summary

The Peer Support Specialist (PSS) provides peer support as someone who has similar life experiences and acts as a positive role model for living in recovery. The PSS is a member of interdisciplinary teams participating in collaboratively supporting an individual's self-defined and self-directed care. The PSS supports the individual being served by creating their own person-directed recovery plan and accomplishing goals towards their self-defined recovery journey plan. They provide a listening, nonjudgmental presence and connect individuals being served with a full range of community resources.

The Peer Support Specialist in this program provides services within and around the downtown Portland Apple retail location, where many guests access basic needs such as meals, clothing, and phone charging. In this setting, the PSS offers approachable, immediate support to individuals experiencing homelessness and related challenges, including in-the-moment, lower-level crisis assistance when needed. The role also includes providing 1:1 peer support to guests referred by Apple staff who express interest in ongoing peer services. Support may extend into the surrounding community as guests transition between Apple services and other resources. Through this unique partnership, the PSS helps guests navigate community systems, strengthen natural supports, and build a sense of connection while utilizing the Apple store as a consistent access point for engagement.

Qualifications

Values Alignment: The Peer Company strives to honor cultural and spiritual diversity in the communities we serve as well as honoring Voice and Choice through trauma-informed practices with a Social Justice lens. Our values of Voice and Choice mean we believe in the person's right to make their own decisions and that people are the "experts" in their own lives. We have an unwavering belief in every person's ability to learn, grow, and recover. 

Being committed to Social Justice means being committed to constantly assessing our organizational values and the extent to which we are modeling or falling short of them. It also means listening to feedback from our stakeholders and others who have interacted with our organization and taking the time to understand and reflect on those interactions. This commitment is extended from the organization, as well as each employee of The Peer Company.

Education: High school diploma or equivalent required.

Background Check: A criminal background check will be conducted by The Peer Company in accordance with The Peer Company background check policy. A criminal record does not necessarily exclude an individual from employment with The Peer Company.

Pre-Hire Drug Screen: As part of The Peer Company's commitment to fostering a safe, productive, and professional workplace, we require pre-hire drug screenings for all potential employees. The screening will be conducted in accordance with The Peer Company's drug screening policy, as well as applicable state and federal laws.

Experience:  

• Identifies as having at least 2 years of lived experience in recovery with addiction challenges (may include both addiction and mental health challenges)
• Experience with mental health recovery is desirable and highly valued
• Understands the principles of trauma informed care, recovery, consumer-involvement, and trauma-informed care

Licensure/Certification: 

• Peer Support Specialist (OHA Traditional Health Worker certification) or MHACBO CRM certification required or able to be obtained within 90 days of hire

Skills:

• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively within a team
• Ability to work with people from diverse backgrounds and cultures
• Typing and general technology skills to easily and efficiently navigate electronic systems (e.g., email, Microsoft Teams, etc.)

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Provides 1:1 peer support to diverse individuals being served in accordance with The Peer Company's values alignment and principles of peer support 
• Collaborates with individuals to create Person Directed Plans (PDPs) to support their individualized recovery journey
• Participates in regular peer support supervision sessions
• Collaborate with other service providers and interdisciplinary teams to support participant PDPs and recovery journeys
• Attend meetings, as applicable, to gain knowledge, communicate program objectives, and advocate for the needs of the participants being served
• Implements the regulations, policies, and procedures which pertain to peer-delivered service, The Peer Company, and community partners
• Following the direction of the participants served, assist participants in exploring strategies that increase satisfaction with the eight dimensions of wellness
• Travels to visit community partners and participants, occasionally transporting participants to relevant community partners
• Support participants in crisis by helping them to deescalate and identify next steps in their recovery journey
• Assist participants in identifying and engaging various community resources and supports
• Documents support services in a program database in a manner that assures compliance with policies, program procedures and local, state, and federal regulations
• Maintains accurate and up-to-date documentation as required by program deliverables
• Acts as a positive role model for individuals being served and exploring their own path to wellness and recovery
• Respects and honors a person's rights and responsibilities and demonstrates professional boundaries and ethics
• Adheres to mandatory abuse reporting laws and HIPAA requirements
• Complete other relevant duties as assigned

The above accountabilities represent work performed by this position and are not all-inclusive.  The omission of a specific accountability will not preclude it from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical extension of the position.

Employment with The Peer Company is "at-will." This means employees are free to resign at any time, with or without cause, and The Peer Company may terminate the employment relationship at any time, with or without cause or advance notice. As an at-will employee, it is not guaranteed, in any manner, that you will be employed with The Peer Company for any set period of time.

The Peer Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment opportunities at The Peer Company are based upon one's qualifications and capabilities to perform the essential functions of a particular job. All employment opportunities are provided without regard to race, religion, sex, gender identity, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, national origin, age, Veteran status, disability, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law.