Job Details

Youth Peer Support Specialist

Jackson County Employment Opportunity.

Peer Support Specialists at Jackson County Mental Health work as valued members of multidisciplinary teams consisting of skilled behavioral health professionals. These teams of uniquely qualified peer support specialists, case managers, nurses, therapists, and psychiatric providers create a culture of recovery principles and practices wherein an array of services are provided to some of the County's most vulnerable, acute, and underrepresented residents.

Jackson County Mental Health is searching for a Youth Peer Support Specialist to work among multiple teams within our agency. A Youth Peer Support Specialist provides supportive services and assistance navigating mental health services within our community based on a similar life experience to individuals who are no older than 20 years old and who (a) are current or former consumers of mental health or addiction treatment or (b) are facing or have faced difficulties in accessing education, health, and wellness services due to mental health or behavioral health barriers. Youth Peer Support Specialists offer support, empathy, and compassion to individuals engaged in Youth Services treatment programs, as well as youth experiencing crisis in the community. Youth Peer Support Specialists are key partners in effective and caring mental health treatment, with a strong focus on relationships, wellness activities, and social inclusion.

Qualified applicants must either be certified as a Youth Peer Support Specialist or able to be certified by the Oregon Health Authority as a Youth Peer Support Specialist within six months from the date of hire.

Jackson County strives to recruit, hire and retain the best employees!

Pre-Employment Requirements and/or Preferences

• Basic computer skills (phone, internet, email, copier/fax, etc.)
• Effective and professional communication (written/verbal)
• Preferred candidate will be comfortable navigating multiple systems, social services, school, etc., stressful situations, and assisting individuals who are no older than 20 years old and in distress.
• Knowledge of existing local community resources is also preferred, as is experience managing crises and working with individuals who are no older than 20 years old and who struggle with substance use disorders, are unhoused, underserved, and/or historically disenfranchised community members.
• Pass a criminal background check prior to hire.
• Submit an acceptable DMV certified court print prior to hire.
• Pass a pre-employment drug screen, which includes screening for Marijuana.
• This position is represented by union group SEIU.

Job Duties and Requirements

I. Position Summary

Provides mentorship and support through strength-based interventions, education, coaching and resource referrals. Performs work within a framework of established procedures and with only occasional instruction or assistance within a framework of standard policies and procedures, initially under immediate supervision, progressing to general supervision as the incumbent becomes able to independently perform the full range of duties associated with this level.

II. Examples of Essential Position Duties

• Provides support, such as coaching, education, information and resource referral, to individuals that are receiving services in various programs throughout the Mental Health Division.
• Determines, through discussions with individual clients and the treatment team, what supports each individual needs in regards to food, shelter, medications, emotional support, problem solving, etc., and works to address those needs with the individual and community partners.
• Provides support in times of crisis to the clients and/or the client's family as appropriate and in coordination with the treatment team, which may include responding with the crisis team as part of the mobile response team in the community.
• Assists individuals in making decisions about their resource needs as appropriate and in coordination with the resources team and defers to clinicians and managers when it is beyond the scope of peers.
• Establishes and maintains complete and accurate records of client activities, supports offered and progress in coordination with the treatment team. Accurately enters the appropriate information that supports the clinical needs of the client into the client record.
• Coordinates special programs and/or works with specific illnesses and age groups as assigned.
• Determines the needs of the individuals and works with clinicians and managers to develop appropriate group content.
• Adheres to regulatory requirements, collective bargaining agreements, County and departmental policies and procedures, required trainings, as well as safe work practices.
• Develops and maintains effective internal and external working relationships at all levels.
• Has regular and reliable attendance. Overtime may be required.

III. Minimum Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent AND one-year work experience working with others AND be a) a self-identified individual currently or formerly receiving addictions or mental health services OR b) 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 OR c) a self-identified individual in recovery from problem gambling OR d) a family member of an individual with a mental health condition.

License, Certificate or Other

• Requires possession of a valid driver's license and an acceptable driving record. Requires certification by the Oregon Health Authority as a Peer Support Specialist within six months of hire.

IV. Other Requirements

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Position requires knowledge of mental health systems; mental health terminology; available medical and community resources; record-keeping practices; safety procedures and protocol in mental health treatment. Requires the ability to work independently and as a team member; exercise initiative, tact and good judgment in dealing with people from various backgrounds; respond professionally and responsibly in crisis, emergency or dangerous situations; maintain records with accuracy and confidentiality; understand and carry out detailed instructions of a technical and professional nature; develop and maintain trusting relationships with community partners and stake holders; speak professionally, assertively and appropriately within the scope of work in advocating for the needs of clients; comply with all statutes, policies and procedures; understand and carry out oral and written directions; communicate effectively, both orally and in writing; and, establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Physical Demands

Tasks require visual perception and discrimination and oral communications ability. Typically requires climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, standing, walking, sitting, lifting, fingering, grasping, talking, hearing, seeing (including ability to clearly distinguish and identify colors), and repetitive motions. Requires exerting up to 20 pounds occasionally, 50 pounds infrequently, of force to move objects; sufficient hand/eye coordination to perform semi-skilled repetitive movements, such as typing, filing, data entry, or other office equipment or supplies. Requires driving.

Working Conditions

Work is performed in an office environment and in the community and may include exposure to disruptive people and communicable diseases.

V. Additional Information

This classification description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of duties, knowledge, skills, abilities, or requirements, as any one position in this classification may be assigned some or all of these duties, in addition to other duties not explicitly listed here. The various duties, responsibilities and/or assignments of this position may be unevenly balanced and change from time to time based upon matters such as, but not limited to, variations in the shift, work demands, seasons, service levels and management's decisions on how to best allocate department resources. Any shift, emphasis or rebalancing of these assigned duties, responsibilities and/or assignments does not constitute a change in the job classification. The County shall schedule employees and determine FTE consistent with its determination as to efficiency of operations, financial advantages to the County, and/or effective service to the public.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Jackson County provides an excellent, generous and comprehensive benefits package for eligible employees and their dependents, as applicable.

Insurance

Health Insurance As of July 1, 2025 Regular full-time employees and their eligible dependents receive medical insurance, including prescription and chiropractic, dental, and vision coverage at a cost to the employee of $22.82 per paycheck ($49.45 per month) toward the monthly composite premium. Regular full-time employees may not waive coverage. Regular part-time employees may enroll in the full plan, with a prorated composite premium depending on their full-time equivalent (FTE), or may elect to waive benefits. Coverage begins on the first of the month following an employee's date of hire.

Hinge Provided through Regence, Hinge is an online virtual Physical Therapy benefit for all employees and their dependents enrolled in the health insurance plan. This online virtual service will work around your schedule in the comfort of your own home, and there is no cost to the employee.

Wellness Center by CareATC In addition to health insurance, certain primary care medical services, lab services, and