Summary:  Peer & Family Support Specialists for NAMI Clackamas improve the quality of life for people affected by mental health issues through support, education, and advocacy.  We are searching for an additional Peer (or Family) Support Specialist, who is a service provider with lived experience with mental illness and recovery.  They help clients find resources, including applying for programs and services for which they qualify and obtaining mental and physical health care to help achieve and maintain each client’s recovery.  The Peer (or Family) Support Specialist works closely with other members of the NAMI Clackamas staff team, volunteers, and clients to execute comprehensive peer (or family) resources that advance our clients’ goals.  

 

This job requires excellent interpersonal and communications skills as well as strong organizational abilities to work with multiple clients.  We welcome bilingual applicants who can help better serve our community’s growing Latinx, Slavic, and Asian-American populations.

 

Hours/Compensation:  This is currently a half time (20 hours per week) job with the possibility of increasing hours over time.  Requires rare evening and weekend work.  The salary range for this half-time position is $17,000-$22,500 (full-time equivalent of $34,000-$45,000) per year, depending on experience.

           

Qualifications:

1. Committed to the mission and values of NAMI Clackamas.

2. Must be an individual living with a mental illness and in recovery (or a family member).

3. Excellent attention to detail and work ethic.

4. Strong written and oral communication skills.

5. Ability to meet deadlines and remain flexible in a changing environment.

6. Ability to maintain client confidentiality by following HIPAA guidelines.

7. Self-motivated and able to work independently and as part of a team.

8. Committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion.  Enjoys working with all types of people, especially individuals living with a mental health condition and their family members.

9. Resourceful and knowledgeable about navigating complex systems, such as mental health, criminal justice, health care, and social services.  Lived experience applying or helping others apply for government assistance preferred.

10. Desire to make a positive impact by providing nonjudgmental and client-directed peer (or family) support.  Open minded and able to work collaboratively with people of all backgrounds is required.

11. Should have knowledge of the Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP) process.

12. Possess creativity, integrity, initiative, patience, enthusiasm, and professionalism.

13. Knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Google Apps preferred.

14. Flexible in time and temperament to meet training, support group, and client needs.

15. Customer service, social work, and non-profit work experience preferred, especially working directly with people living with a mental health condition (or their families).

16. Must be able to pass a background check.

17. Must have a valid driver’s license and automobile insurance.

18. Must be willing to commute to NAMI Clackamas office in Milwaukie.

 

Responsibilities:

 

One-on-one support:

1. Strive to improve quality of life for individuals (and families) affected by mental health issues through support, education, and advocacy.

2. Provide non-judgmental, client-directed one-on-one peer (or family) support to improve recovery and reduce crisis and hospitalizations for people with mental illness.

3. Help clients and their loved ones by clarifying issues and needs; researching, locating, and providing information; researching and exploring answers and alternative solutions; helping peers (and family members) to implement solutions; and escalating unresolved problems.  Help clients obtain mental and physical health care.

4. Assist clients in communicating with their health care providers, encourage them to get services for which they qualify, improve their mental and physical health, and learn to communicate with their support network and ask for help when needed.

5. Track and document clients served including assistance provided, referrals made, and follow-up required. 

6. Assist clients in developing life skills that will help maintain recovery.

7. Build collaborative relationships and effectively communicate with private, public, and nonprofit partners that provide services to clients.

8. Assist participants in navigating the systems of care for resources needed to meet the participant’s needs.

9. Serve as the internal and external point person for NAMI Clackamas peer programming.

10. Fill in as a teacher for Peer-to-Peer (or Family-to-Family) classes and as a facilitator for support groups when necessary.

11. Interact with a diverse client base while maintaining professionalism and appropriate boundaries.

 

Training:

1. Must already possess Peer (or Family) Support Specialist training certification or complete it within three months of hire date (to be paid by NAMI Clackamas).

2. Must complete Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR) training to assist people considering suicide within two months of hire date (to be paid by NAMI Clackamas).

3. Must be willing to complete Peer-to-Peer (or Family-to-Family) class teacher and Support Group facilitator trainings within six months of hire date (to be paid by NAMI Clackamas).

 

Other Responsibilities:

1. Build and maintain effective working relationships with NAMI Clackamas staff, board members, volunteers, clients, and partners.

2. Maintain proper records and submit reports as needed.  Track and report statistics to both NAMI National and NAMI Clackamas.

3. Assist in meeting day-to-day office needs when Office Coordinator is not available including answering phones, addressing client inquiries, and forwarding them to the appropriate staff person.

4. Other duties as requested.

 

NAMI Clackamas is an equal opportunity employer.

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Please send your resume and cover letter to dave@namicc.org.  Open until filled.  Priority consideration given to applications received by March 15, 2024