Central City Concern is an innovative nonprofit agency providing comprehensive services to single adults and families in the Portland metro area who are impacted by homelessness, poverty and addictions. We hire people that are skilled and passionate to meet our mission through outcome-based strategies which support personal and community transformation.

SUMMARY: The HOPE program is a permanent housing project that places highly vulnerable and chronically homeless individuals and families into scattered site apartments around the Portland Metro area. It is a housing first model and does not require clients to meet sobriety or income requirements before obtaining housing. It is a collaborative project with community partners NARA, TPI, JOIN, and Cascadia. The Peer Support Specialist works both independently, and as a member of a team to provide community and home/facility based health, recovery, and housing support services to individuals who are chronically homeless and whose health, mental health, and socioeconomic issues prevent them from accessing housing on their own. The Peer Support Specialist works in collaboration with Transitions Project HOPE staff to connect participants to social services, primary care, housing placement, and connections in the community that support housing and wellness retention. The Peer Support Specialist is a HOPE participant’s support person in navigating their path out of homelessness.

 Hours: M-F 8A-4:30P

 Starting wage: $22.46 

Responsibilities:

• Participate in outreach efforts to engage and assess prospective clients, including appointments, home visits, and work in the community.
• Develop relationships with HOPE collaborative members, external providers, property managers, and members of the community.
• Collaborate with healthcare and housing teams, the client’s support networks, and other community providers to address the needs of clients.
• Assist with screenings, intakes, treatment plans, discharges, and follow-up calls and visits.
• Escort clients to initial housing appointment, to primary care provider, and to other providers when appropriate.
• Follow-up with landlords and primary care providers to determine outcome of any needed interventions and maintain records on their progress.
• Introduce clients to appropriate self-help support and other supportive services/activities.
• Advocate for, provide, and connect clients to appropriate services to ensure HOPE participants get access to a variety of services and benefits, including mental health and physical health services.
• Work within scope of training and experience and seek consultation when appropriate.
• Relationship/trust building with HOPE collaborative and internal CCC staff.
• Participate in training opportunities to advance skills and knowledge in, co-occurring and tri-morbidity issues.
• Adhere to all state and federal privacy and security regulations applicable to the program, and to CCC policies and agreements regarding confidentiality, privacy, and security
• Ability to learn how to respond to crises in a professional and culturally appropriate way.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Abilities:

• Ability to provide appropriate services for HOPE collaborative participants.
• Skills in program planning, including the development of goals, objectives, timelines, scheduling and evaluation.
• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely both orally and in writing.
• Ability to maintain accurate records and necessary paperwork.
• Ability to work in an environment where people may be hostile or abusive.
• Ability to manage time and meet deadlines.
• Ability to work courteously and communicate effectively with the general public, clients, other community service providers, medical personnel, corrections personnel and co-workers.
• Ability to learn and apply training instruction.
• Knowledge of de-escalation methods or ability to be trained in de-escalation methods.
• Conflict resolution skills.
• Knowledge and skills in working with individuals challenged by homelessness, health, mental health and or chemical dependency issues.
• Proficient with computers.
• Ability to understand and follow oral and written instructions.

Qualifications:

• Requires high school diploma, GED, or demonstrated ability to read and write at a sufficient level.
• Must be registered, prior to start, as a Certified Recovery Mentor (CRM) with MHACBO; OR be a certified Peer Support Specialist (PSS) AND registered as a Traditional Health Worker (THW) on the THW Registry.
• Experience with issues involving homelessness, health, mental health and addictions issues highly preferred.
• Experience advocating for victims of Domestic Violence preferred.
• Experience and knowledge of DHS Child Welfare System preferred.
• Flexible work schedule required, including some evening and weekend work.
• Ability to adhere to Central City Concern’s drug-free workplace which encourages a safe, healthy and productive work environment and strictly complies with the Drug-Free Work Place Act of 1988. An employee shall not, in the workplace, unlawfully manufacture, distribute, dispense, possess or use a controlled substance or alcohol.
• Will be required to carry an agency cell phone for work use. Cell phone will be provided by Central City Concern.
• Must pass a pre-employment drug screen, TB test, and background check.
• Physical ability to bend, stoop, kneel, squat, twist, reach, pull and lift heavy objects and climb stairs several times a day.
• Must possess a current driver’s license, pass a DMV background check and be designated an “acceptable” driver as outlined in Central City Concern’s Fleet Safety Policy. Must pass an initial driver’s training within 60 days of being an approved driver and continued recertification training.
• Must adhere to agency’s non-discrimination policies.
• Ability to effectively interact with co-workers and clients who have diverse ethnic or cultural backgrounds, religious views, political affiliations, lifestyles and sexual orientation and treat each person with respect and dignity.

Benefits: Central City Concern offers an incredible benefits package to our Regular/FT employees:

• Generous paid time off plan which provides up to 4 weeks of PTO accrual in the first year. Accrual increases with longevity.
• Amazing 403(b) Retirement Savings plan with competitive employer match with 4.25% in the first year, 6% in the second year, and 8% in the 3rd year.
• 11 paid Holidays PLUS 2 Personal Holidays to be used at the employee’s discretion.
• Comprehensive Medical, Vision, and Dental insurance coverage.
• Employer Paid Life, Short Term Disability, AND Long Term Disability Insurance!
• Excellent relocation package for those roles that qualify.
• Sabbatical Program offering extended time off at years 7, 14, and 21.

This description is intended to provide a snapshot of the work performed and is not designed to contain a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of the position. 

As an agency deeply rooted in recovery, part of our policy and commitment to a drug and alcohol-free workplace includes post-offer, pre-employment drug screens. Please note we follow Federal Guidelines regarding prohibited substances, even for those legal at the state level.

Central City Concern is a second chance employer and complies with applicable laws regarding consideration of criminal background for employment purposes. Government regulations, contractual requirements, or the duties of this job may require CCC to conduct a background check and take appropriate action to address prior criminal convictions.