Job Title: Peer Support Specialist FolkTime, Inc. Job Site: Sequoia Mental Health in Aloha, OR FTE: 1.0FTE or 40 hours/week Posting Date: 5/19/15 Closing Date: when filled Start Date: asap Position Summary: The Peer Support Specialist facilitates the development of recovery skills. The Peer Support Specialist provides opportunities for individuals to direct their own recovery process and support the learning and utilization of skills needed to foster recovery. The Peer Support Specialist will be knowledgeable of available service options, will promote the utilization of natural support systems, will facilitate the development of a sense of wellness and self-worth, and will work with a treatment team to promote the goals of the person in services. This position works in collaboration with Sequoia Mental Health staff to support individuals with mental health challenges. Major Duties: •Act as a role model to persons in recovery to inspire hope and share life experiences as appropriate to the recovery process. •Identify recovering person’s abilities, strengths and assets and assist them to recognize and use them. •Identify barriers to full participation and focus on strategies to overcome them. •Assist individuals in learning to recognize early triggers and signs of relapse and use their individual coping strategies as an alternative to more structured services. •Co-facilitate meetings with teams of people in recovery to create a peer support and accountability culture. •Work successfully and collaboratively with professional staff while promoting the value added work of peer mentoring and client self-determination in the mental health services model. Actively participate in team meetings and promote a recovery perspective as a key component of all discussions. •Encourage people to engage in community support programs, 12-step programs, and other life enriching activities •Complete all required documentation in a timely manner. Qualifications: •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.” •Must have an understanding of the unique needs and struggles for individuals experience both physical health and mental health distress simultaneously. •Ability to work independently and as a member of a multi-disciplinary team. •Be able to develop trusting relationships with peers and staff. •Be comfortable working with individuals actively experiencing symptoms of mental illness •Good written and verbal communication skills. •Competent with computers for word processing, internet, email and social media or able to learn these skills. •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 Sequoia Mental Health within last 12 months. •Ability to report to work reliably and in a timely fashion. •Ability to drive, have a car and ability to travel as required on public transit. •Ability to utilize personal vehicle for transporting clients/peers. FolkTime will reimburse for mileage at 55 cents/mile Preferred but not Required: • Completion of Intentional Peer Support Training •Bachelors or advanced degree. •U.S. Military veteran •Experience working with individuals diagnosed with severe and persistent mental illness Salary and Benefits: Salary starts at $16 per hour with prorated Paid Time Off (PTO). Application Process for External Candidates: Submit a cover letter and resume by email to Michele Lavis-White (mwhite@folktime.org). In your cover letter, please address the following: “Please explain how you would draw on your own experiences both personal and professional in order to support others who are experiencing mental health distress.” Agency Description: Founded in 1986, Folk-Time, Inc. is a non-profit community service for adults with experience as consumers in a behavioral health care system. FolkTime is a peer-to-peer program that serves people from any mental health provider system. The agency focus is on wellness and recovery. FolkTime is an equal opportunity employer.