If you’re passionate about using your lived experience to support others in their recovery journey, a role as a Peer Support Specialist (PSS) at Marion County Health & Human Services (MCHHS) could be the right fit. It’s a unique opportunity to turn personal experience into meaningful community impact.
What Is a Peer Support Specialist?
A Peer Support Specialist is a trained professional who uses their own experience with mental health or substance use recovery to support individuals facing similar challenges. At MCHHS, Peer Support Specialists work alongside clinicians, counselors, and case managers to provide emotional support, advocacy, and guidance.
These roles are part of a broader behavioral health team, offering care that is person-centered, trauma-informed, and grounded in trust.
What Makes This Role Unique?
This role is grounded in empathy and connection. Your lived experience is central to the work. As a PSS, you offer support in a way that clinical providers cannot, helping clients feel seen, understood, and empowered in their recovery.
Who Can Become a Peer Support Specialist?
To apply, candidates must have:
- Lived experience with mental health or substance use recovery
- A desire to use that experience in a professional setting
- Completion of an Oregon Health Authority (OHA)-approved training program and PSS certification
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills
- A willingness to work as part of a diverse, team-based environment
Not certified yet? There are resources available to help you get started. MCHHS also values candidates who are working toward certification or have completed training in a volunteer or part-time capacity.
Why Work at MCHHS?
MCHHS offers a supportive environment where Peer Support Specialists are valued team members. You’ll find:
- A strong sense of purpose and community impact
- A collaborative workplace with opportunities to grow
- Competitive public sector benefits and job stability
Click here to learn more about becoming a Peer Support Specialist: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/marion/classspecs?keywords=peer%20support&pagetype=classSpecifications&specId=819810
