About FolkTime: Founded in 1985, Folk-Time, Inc. is a non-profit community service agency whose ongoing commitment is to provide a culture of inclusiveness. By promoting a recovery-oriented support system that focuses on hope, choice, connection, personal responsibility, and self-determination, FolkTime has provided support and advocacy for those with shared lived experiences in the Portland Metro area for over 35 years.

Mission Statement: Dedicated to connecting individuals with shared lived experiences through Intentional Peer Support

JOB TITLE:                             Youth Peer Support Specialist

PROGRAM:                             Clackamas County Behavioral Health Child and Family Team

JOB SITE/LOCATION:          Oregon City Hilltop

WORK HOURS:                     .8 FTE or 32 hours/week

POSITION SUMMARY: The Youth Peer Support Specialist works collaboratively with Clackamas County Behavioral Health’s Child and Family team at Hilltop Clinic using a trauma-informed, holistic recovery model to support youth receiving mental health services. The Youth Peer Support Specialist at Hilltop provides opportunities for youth receiving services to direct their own recovery journey; supports the recognition and use of individual strengths necessary to self-empowerment and recovery; supports the development of a sense of wellness, self-compassion, and self-worth; and promotes the development of natural support systems outside the clinic setting. The Youth Peer’s role is to support the youth, to help them engage and to actively participate on their team/or treatment process in making informed decisions that drive that process. The Youth Peer Support creates relationships of hope and co-learning with youth and families and with the service providers by drawing on their own lived experience with mental health issues and their professional training.

MAJOR DUTIES:

  • Inspire hope for youth in recovery through sharing life experiences as appropriate to the recovery process.
  • Support individuals and families in recognizing their own unique strengths, abilities, and assets, then using them to foster recovery.
  • Support individuals and families in recognizing triggers and using their own unique ways to manage distress as an alternative to seeking structured services.
  • Facilitate weekly groups with peers and/or parents and caregivers to create a culture of peer support, recovery, and accountability.
  • Work collaboratively with staff within the mental health services model while promoting peer support. Actively participate in team meetings and in all discussions with staff to promote recovery from a peer perspective.
  • Encourage peers to engage in support programs and life-enrichment activities in the community to building a natural support network outside the clinic setting.

QUALIFICATIONS:

  • Must be comfortable working with youth, individuals, and families actively experiencing symptoms of mental distress.
  • Must meet the Oregon Administrative Rules definition of a peer: “any individual who has similar life experience, either as a current or former recipient of addictions or mental health services, or as a family member of an individual who is a current or former recipient of addictions or mental health services.” Specifically, experience as a youth receiving support for emotional, behavioral, or mental health challenges.
  • Ability to articulate the experience and perspective of a youth with complex needs.
  • Must have an understanding of the unique needs and struggles of youth, individuals, and families simultaneously experiencing emotional, behavioral, or mental health challenges.
  • Ability to work independently and as a member of a multi-disciplinary team.
  • Good written and verbal communication skills.
  • Competent with computers for daily record charting, appointment scheduling, emailing, and internet use or able to learn these things.
  • Ability to complete all required documentation on time.
  • Must be able to endorse a trauma informed care and harm reduction models of support.

 REQUIREMENTS

  • Complete a 40-hour Oregon approved peer support training
  • 1+ year experience as a peer support specialist or 1+ year experience working/volunteering in a helping profession
  • Must be able to pass a criminal background check and drug screening
  • Must not have received behavioral health services through Clackamas County Behavioral Health Care Centers within last 6 months.
  • Must be able report to work on time.
  • Must drive, have a car and be capable of traveling on public transit when required
  • Ability to utilize personal vehicle for transporting clients/peers. Must have valid drivers license, good driving record and valid auto insurance. FolkTime will reimburse for mileage at 64.5 cents/mile

 PREFERRED BUT NOT REQUIRED

  • Experience working with individuals with mental health diagnosis
  • Completion of Intentional Peer Support Training
  • Bachelors or advanced degree
  • S. Military veteran

SALARY AND BENEFITS: Salary starts at $19 per hour. This position is eligible for medical, vision, and dental benefits as well as generous paid time off (PTO).

TO APPLY: Submit a cover letter and resume by email to Grant Fagòt (gfagot@folktime.org).  In your cover letter, please address the following:  “Explain how you would draw on your own experiences both personal and professional in order to support families who are experiencing mental health distress.”