Peer Support Specialist - Medford, United States - The Pathfinder Network

Description

Peer Support Specialist - Part-time

Description

**WHO WE ARE**

Since 1993, The Pathfinder Network (TPN) has been providing justice-system impacted people and their families the tools and support they need to be safe and thrive in our communities. We serve individuals experiencing incarceration, those reentering the community, those on forms of community supervision, their families, and their children, both in the community at our Center for Family Success located in Multnomah County, within 11 of Oregons 14 corrections facilities, at the Marion County Transition Center and jail, and at Jackson County Community Justice and Transition Center. We develop and deliver a comprehensive scope of evidence-based, trauma-, gender- and culturally-responsive cognitive behavioral based programs, including our proprietary, evidence-based curriculum Parenting Inside Out, which is the highest rated parenting skills curriculum for parents involved with the criminal justice system. Our community programs feature holistic wraparound individual and group support and services. We serve an average of 2,000 people a year agency-wide.

We are intentional about building a healthy and thriving organizational culture and envision a community of staff, partners, volunteers, and donors who are deeply committed to equitable, just and anti-racist practices in every facet of our organization. We engage in continual learning and seek ways to operationalize equitable and inclusive practices. We believe every member on our team enriches our diversity by exposing us to a broad range of ways to understand and engage with the world, identify challenges, and to discover, design and deliver solutions.

At TPN, we envision communities that welcome all people, provide second chances, and create pathways to change. We believe all people have the capacity to change. We honor the dignity and worth of every individual, engage our clients and employees with compassion, and bring excellence to all we do. To learn more, go to .

**HIRING PRACTICES**

We admit that there is no such thing as the perfect candidate. Dont be discouraged if you dont meet each and every position requirement instead, use your application to let us know what excites you about the role and what transferable skills or other qualities you would like to bring to TPN

If reasonable accommodation or an alternative form of this application are needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact our People & Culture Manager at or

TPN hires a workforce representative of the communities we serve, understanding that a diverse workforce strengthens our organization. We value diversity and support a positive and welcoming environment where all employees can thrive.

In practice, this means we do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, status as a parent, marital status or political affiliation. We also take seriously the idea that our work benefits from a genuine commitment to diversity, by considering applications from individuals representing all kinds of backgrounds.

**WHAT YOU WILL BE COUNTED ON TO DO**

As a Peer Support Specialist, you will provide one-on-one and group peer support services to justice system-involved individuals who are in need of support and services. You will provide wrap-around support to peers with services, referrals, resources and assist them in removing barriers to their recovery and resilience. You will provide drop-in-services to peers and facilitate cognitive-behavioral classes, adhering to the curriculum in its intended format while maintaining fidelity through a standardized evidence-based delivery model. You will work to support the mission, vision and values of the Pathfinder Network and engage with clients in a holistic, strengths-based, trauma-responsive, person- and healing-centered way.

Your lived experience, relational and collaborative skills, capability to work well under high-stress emotional experiences, high-level of empathy and ability to keep strong boundaries will enable you to thrive in this position and consistently deliver high quality services with impact and excellence.

*Support Services*

Provide wraparound and drop-in support to peers at the Transition and Resource Centers and other locations.

Work with parole and probation officers, DHS workers and/or other community providers to ensure participant compliance and success.

Provide information and referral for employment, housing, food, clothing, and transportation.

Coordinate services with other providers, including child welfare, mental health, substance use treatment providers, and other social services. Maintain communication with other providers, as necessary.

Support participants in engaging in positive recovery activities and events. Build relationships within the recovery community.

Assist in planning for and hosting of quarterly peer support positive recovery community events.

Transport clients, as necessary, in the community to appointments and/or services.

Complete all required documentation and track participant attendance and participation. Complete thorough and timely case notes.

*Group Facilitation*

Facilitate classes and support groups using standardized curriculum and delivery model. Substitute in classes and/or facilitate support groups. Plan, review, and prepare materials for facilitation of classes.

Facilitate program informational and orientation sessions.

Teach, coach and model positive recovery, cognitive and social skills individually and in groups. Reinforce positive behaviors and progress. Utilize incentives to motivate behavior.

*Participation in Shared Leadership (*=*5% of your time)*

Be a champion in the shaping and sustaining of a diverse, equitable, inclusive and just workplace, with a focus towards creating racial equity.

Participate on cross-departmental teams or committees regarding organizational policies, processes and work environment

Participate in Temporary Teams, Equity Team, Employee Resource Groups, and other teams

Contribute individualized skills, knowledge, experience and expertise to help the agency reach its mission

**WHO YOU WILL BE COUNTED ON TO BE**

**Required Cultural Values:** Staff are expected to embody certain cultural values to support TPNs mission: communicate effectively, value one another, show respect, demonstrate accountability, display a high level of self-awareness, participate in shared leadership and continuous growth and learning, live values of diversity, equity, inclusion and justice and engage in personal work to further DEIJ values and impact.

**Commitment to Racial Justice**. Staff are expected to interact effectively across racially diverse teams, partners, and experiences, apply a racial equity lens in their work and commit to the ongoing work required to move TPN toward a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive and just organization.

Requirements

**Experience and skills we are interested in:**

Lived experience with addiction and recovery and criminal justice involvement

Certification or eligibility to be certified as a Certified Recovery Mentor, Peer Support Specialist or Traditional Health Worker

Released from prison/jail and completed all forms of community supervision no less than three years ago.

A high school diploma or equivalent is required

Experience delivering peer support services

Awareness of Trauma-Informed practices and approaches

Experience working with mental health and substance abuse treatment agencies

Experience facilitating groups

Basic level computer capabilities in use of web-based environments, word processing, email, and spreadsheet data entry

Must p