Peer Support Specialist, Veteran's Services
Deschutes County Bend, Oregon, United States
- Location: Bend, Oregon, United States
- Categories: Human and Social Services, Veteran Services
- Job Type: Full Time
- Posted: Feb 26, 2026
Job Description:
Peer Support Specialist, Veteran's Services
Description
SummaryABOUT THE DEPARTMENT:
Deschutes County Health Services supports over 400 staff in Behavioral and Public Health programs working to promote and protect the health and safety of the community in a broad variety of community based settings.
Deschutes County Behavioral Health (DCBH) is the Community Mental Health Program providing safety net and core clinical services for community members in Deschutes County dealing with mental health and substance use conditions. DCBH is also a Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC). As such, DCBH relies on multi-disciplinary teams to provide innovative, evidence based, recovery oriented services in behavioral healthcare settings co-located with physical health providers.
To hear from staff about working at Deschutes County Behavioral Health, please click HERE.
ABOUT THE COUNTY:
We know where you choose to live, work and play matters. Deschutes County is one of the largest employers in Central Oregon and the largest municipal government in the region. Our dedicated and passionate workforce of more than 1,250 employees provide County services in a number of departments, divisions, and offices.
Located in the heart of Central Oregon, between the towering Cascade Mountain Range to the west and the high desert plateau to the east, Deschutes County is the outdoor recreation capital of Oregon. We enjoy a renowned quality of life, with big-city opportunities and small-town neighborhoods.
We hope you’ll consider joining our talented team.
ABOUT THE JOB:
Deschutes County is accepting applications for a Peer Support Specialist, Veterans Services. This team focuses on providing services to clients throughout their lifespan who have mental health and co-occurring substance use conditions. This position primarily provides support services to individuals that identify as military veterans with current behavioral health and/or substance use-related needs. The Peer Support Specialist (PSS) provides highly individualized para-professional recovery-oriented services including outreach, system navigation, coordination, cultivating and linking to supports, resource acquisition, coaching, problem solving, skill practice, education, and advocacy. The PSS also helps individuals with health/medical related needs such as attending medical appointments, linking to the medical community and enhancing health practices. Services provided will be performed throughout the Central Oregon area, within community settings or at clients' homes . A PSS draws on their own personal experiences to assist clients in achieving targeted goals through life experiences and demonstration of self-sufficiency as well as provide expertise that professional training cannot replicate. Incumbents act as role models and provide essential expertise, support, and consultation to the client as well as the entire team. Peers are also responsible for satisfactorily completing paperwork and electronic health record documentation according to Deschutes County Health Services and Behavioral Health policies, procedures, and data integrity standards.
Candidates must be willing to work a flexible schedule and drive to various locations when necessary to meet client needs.
For additional information on the requirements to become a Peer Support Specialist - Click Here .
Key Responsibilities:
- Supports clients individually and in groups, especially veterans, through practical help, mentoring, advocacy, coordination, side-by-side individualized support, coaching, problem solving and direct assistance.
- Supports the mental health and medical teams by communicating client needs and collaborating with team members to provide the highest quality of care possible.
- Documents client progress to maintain a permanent record of client activity according to DCHS established methods and procedures, maintaining client confidentiality.
- Consults and provides outreach with community agencies and organizations, including consumer run programs such as self-help groups and consumer drop-in centers.
- Develops and maintains strong referral relationships with veteran-focused community partner organizations.
Knowledge of or experience with:
- Personal experience with military culture and recovery from mental health and/or drug or alcohol treatment to share with clients to help them achieve their goals.
- Knowledge and experience with local behavioral health, substance abuse, veteran supports, and/or social services delivery systems.
- Skills to promote general resiliency, client empowerment, and effective peer support strategies.
- Advocating for clients, teaching coping skills, and modeling personal responsibility.
- Sharing personal journey and experiences in productive and appropriate ways.
- Operating a personal computer utilizing standard and specialized software.
- Working effectively with others and having effective verbal and written communication.
Notification to all candidates will be sent via email and/or text only. Please opt in for text messaging or check your email and your Governmentjobs.com account for application status.
Review the full job description by clicking HERE.
Compensation
$4,267.00 to $5,718.24 per month for a 172.67 hour work month. Excellent County benefit package when eligible. This union-represented position is available immediately.
BENEFITS:
Our robust health plan is offered at a minimal cost of $100 per month for employee only or $121 per month for employee plus dependents, which includes an innovative on-site clinic, pharmacy, and wellness and wellbeing services. Additionally, we include life insurance, retirement (PERS), generous paid time-off (14-18 hours/month to start, pro-rated for part-time), holidays, and professional development opportunities. Please click HERE for full benefit details.
Minimum Qualifications
- Must have a high school diploma or GED equivalent.
- As defined by Oregon Administrative Rule 309-032-1501, a "Peer Support Specialist" provides peer delivered services to an individual or family member with similar life experience, under the supervision of a qualified Clinical Supervisor. A Peer Support Specialist must have at least one year of experience: as a self-identified person currently or formerly receiving mental health services; or a self-identified person in recovery from a substance use disorder, who meets the abstinence requirements for recovering staff in alcohol and other drug treatment programs; or a family member of an individual who is a current or former recipient of addictions or mental health services.
- A self-identified person currently or formerly receiving mental health services or combined mental health and substance use disorder.
- Previous SPMI and/or substance use vocational experience.
- Bilingual in English and Spanish.
- Previous experience working in the role of a peer.
- Current certification in Oregon as a Certified Traditional Health Worker, Peer Support Specialist.
- Personal experience with military and veteran culture, ideally as a veteran or the family member of a veteran.
Necessary Special Requirements
Driving is a requirement for this position. Possession of or ability to obtain a valid Oregon driver's license within 30 days of hire date. The employment offer will be contingent upon presentation of an acceptable and verifiable driver's license, pre-employment screening for criminal history, driving history, and controlled substances (NOTE: Positive test results for marijuana use may result in rescission of a contingent offer of employment). This screening must be completed with satisfactory findings in order for a formal offer of employment to be extended.
Must have dependable transportation and be willing and able to drive throughout Deschutes County in sometimes adverse weather conditions.
Must be willing to work a flexible schedule when needed to meet the needs of the client and department.
Must complete an Oregon Health Authority approved Certified Peer Support Specialist training program within four months of hire date.
Physical Requirements. Requires sufficient ambulatory ability to drive throughout Deschutes County and to provide face-to-face services in a variety of settings in the community, including but not limited to hospitals, jails, clinics, client homes, and community and residential settings within required response times; possess sufficient hand coordination to perform keyboarding and data entry; arm/hand movements to retrieve work materials and operate a variety of general office equipment. The position is frequently required to sit, walk, stoop, bend, reach, stand, grasp, talk, hear, see, and may occasionally lift up to 10 pounds.
Excellent County benefit package when eligible.
Deschutes County offers eligible employees a comprehensive healthcare package that covers medical, prescription, dental, and vision coverage at a minimal cost of $100 for employee only and $121 per month for employee plus dependents. Included in the health care package is the Deschutes Onsite Clinic (DOC), which provides a wide range of health, wellness, and primary care services to employees and their dependents. The DOC offers convenient hours and no out-of-pocket costs to patients. The DOC Pharmacy is a full service pharmacy available to employees and dependents to have their prescriptions filled at a discounted co-pay. In addition to the health care package, Deschutes County provides a generous and comprehensive benefits program to eligible employees.
When Are you Eligible:
If you are hired on the first business day of the month, your benefits will start on the first of that month (immediate benefits, either that day or back to the first of the month if the first is on a Saturday or Sunday). If you are hired after the first business day of the month, your benefits will start on the first day of the following month.
Employer paid benefit offerings include:
- Life Insurance for employee and dependents
- Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance
- Long-term Disability Insurance
- Employee Assistance Program
- Retirement Program through Oregon PERS
- Time Management Leave
- 125 Flexible Spending Program
- 457 Deferred Compensation Program
- Supplemental Life and Accident Insurance
Closing Date/Time: 3/11/2026 11:59 PM Pacific