Lead Veteran Peer Support Specialist

Job Title: Lead Veteran Peer Support Specialist

Job Type: Full-Time (Initial 10-Month Term, Eligible for Multi-Year Renewal)

Start Date: Immediate Opening

Location: Eugene, Coos Bay, Roseburg, and Klamath Falls, Oregon / Hybrid (Field & Event Availability)

Salary:  $52,000 (10-Month Contract Term)

Benefits: Comprehensive Health Insurance, Paid Time Off (PTO), Professional Development

Are you a Veteran looking to leverage your military experience and leadership to support fellow former service members in our community?

We are launching a specialized non-clinical Veteran suicide prevention and community support program. We are seeking a dedicated, compassionate Lead Veteran Peer Support Specialist to lead our peer outreach efforts, connect local Veterans with essential resources, and help establish our peer mentorship framework.

This is a full-time position with an initial 10-month program term, with renewal expected based on program success. As a key team member during this setup phase, you will provide direct peer support and navigate community services.

• Build authentic, trusted relationships with local Veterans through shared military background, values, and mutual life experience—fostering trust and camaraderie in a non-clinical environment.
• Assist lead facilitators with event setup, welcome participants, and facilitate casual peer-to-peer connection before and after scheduled activities.
• Help Veterans navigate local healthcare, housing support, employment services, financial relief, and community wellness programs.
• Recognize signs of acute distress and execute simple, established non-clinical protocols to safely link Veterans with emergency services or crisis resources when needed.
• Act as the primary community ambassador to raise program awareness and connect with local Veterans.
• Coordinate the physical placement and distribution of promotional materials, informational brochures, and program cards across various community hubs.
• Represent the organization at local Veteran Service Organization (VSO) gatherings, community fairs, and networking events to build referral pipelines.
• Help execute local promotional efforts, staff community awareness tables, and share real-time updates/photos from events to support digital marketing campaigns.
• Assist with assembling outreach kits, printing community guides, and preparing marketing supplies for events.
• Work closely with leadership on general administrative tasks, including setting up physical/virtual program spaces, organizing supplies, and managing event logistics.
• Help establish peer support best practices and ethical boundaries as incoming staff join.
• Maintain confidential and accurate participant and activity records, log interactions and resource referrals, and administer brief pre- and post-activity feedback tools to track participant progress and program impact.

• Veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces with an Honorable or General Discharge (DD-214 required).
• State-certified Peer Support Specialist, or ability/willingness to obtain certification within 90 days of hire.
• Willingness to appropriately share personal transition, resilience, and recovery experiences to support and empower fellow Veterans.
• Familiarity with basic safety planning, de-escalation, and non-clinical risk protocols
• Current (or willingness to obtain) HIPAA, CPR, and First Aid certifications.
• Strong listening skills, active de-escalation abilities, commitment to participant confidentiality, and 1 years of peer, community, or team leadership experience.

• Term: Initial 10-month full-time contract, with strong potential for annual renewal based on program extension.
• Salary: Highly competitive pay reflecting lead-level responsibilities.
• Benefits: Full health insurance package, paid holidays, and generous time off.
• Impact: Direct opportunity to help build a lifesaving community program from the ground up.

Small Team Flexibility & All-Hands Culture

As part of a lean, mission-driven non-profit team launching a new program, day-to-day responsibilities will naturally evolve. We operate with an "all-hands-on-deck" mindset. Alongside your core peer mentorship and outreach duties, you will collaborate closely with our Lead Instructor and leadership team by assisting with event logistics, grassroots marketing distribution, and general administrative setup. We value adaptability, creative problem-solving, and a team-first attitude.

Work Environment: On-site, off-site, and field-based across local program sites in Oregon, with occasional evening or weekend availability tied to community events and program sessions.

Tools provided

Program laptop and mobile hotspot for field work, and mileage reimbursement for approved travel.

Click Apply Now on LinkedIn or submit your resume and DD-214 (member-4 copy) to hello@eastwesticism.org