Peer Support Specialist – JOHS Navigation Team

Peer Mental Health

Peer Support Specialist providing peer support for individuals with lived experience in recovery at Joint Office of Homeless Services. Engaging directly with individuals experiencing homelessness to facilitate access to resources and services.

Posted 7/14/2026full-timePortland • Oregon • 🇺🇸 United StatesJuniorMid-Level💰 $0 - $25 per hourWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates expertise in peer support for individuals with substance use disorder and mental health challenges, utilizing trauma-informed care principles and effective communication skills to foster recovery and engagement with community resources.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Peer Support Specialist CertificationLived Experience in RecoveryTrauma-Informed Care PrinciplesStrong Written and Verbal Communication SkillsAbility to Work Independently and Collaboratively

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Person Directed Plans (PDPs)Recovery Journey PlanningCommunity Resource ConnectionTyping and General Technology Skills

Soft Skills

Nonjudgmental PresenceTrust BuildingCultural Competence

Tools & Technologies

Microsoft TeamsElectronic Systems Navigation

Certifications & Qualifications

OHA Traditional Health Worker CertificationMHACBO CRM Certification

Industry Keywords

Substance Use Disorder (SUD)Mental Health ChallengesInterdisciplinary Team CollaborationHomelessness SupportConsumer-Involvement

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

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.
As a part of the multi-disciplinary team, this PSS engages directly with people experiencing homelessness to facilitate connection and engagement with health and social services and other services and supports the people being served are seeking.
PSSs support people in taking the next step in the care continuum by talking directly with people in the field, finding out what they need, identifying programs, resources, and services that will best meet those needs, and removing obstacles to accessing those programs, resources, and services.
Goals include helping people experiencing homelessness enter shelter; develop trusting relationships with their medical or behavioral health home; and access food and material resources.
Essential functions include providing 1:1 peer support to diverse individuals being served in accordance with The Peer Company’s values alignment and principles of peer support, collaborating with individuals to create Person Directed Plans (PDPs) to support their individualized recovery journey, and participating in regular peer support supervision sessions.

Requirements

What you’ll need

High school diploma or equivalent required.
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.
Motor Vehicle Records Search: For positions that require driving, The Peer Company conducts a Motor Vehicle Records (MVR) search in accordance with company policy, insurance requirements, and applicable state and federal laws.
To be eligible for a driving-required position, candidates must meet the following minimum driving standards: No major driving violations within the past 3 years (i.e. - DUII, careless driving, leaving the scene of an accident, etc.)
No more than 3 moving violations within the past 3 years (i.e. - speeding, failing to yield, running red light, etc.)
Identifies as having lived experience in recovery with substance use disorder (SUD) and/or mental health challenges.
Has at least 24 months of continuous, sustained recovery with SUD and/or mental health challenges before employment.
Understands the principles of trauma-informed care, recovery, consumer-involvement.
Employees serving in recovery-focused roles who have lived experience with substance use disorder (SUD) must maintain continuous recovery and remain abstinent by not engaging in substance or alcohol use (illegal, legal, and recreational) during their employment with TPC.
Peer Support Specialist (OHA Traditional Health Worker certification) or MHACBO CRM certification required or able to be obtained within 90 days of hire.
Valid Oregon Driver’s License and proof of automobile insurance required.
Access to reliable personal vehicle required.
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.).
Ability to push/pull/lift/carry items up to 25 pounds.

Benefits

Comp & perks

This is a benefited position as outlined in the TPC Employee Handbook