Cascade AIDS Project (CAP) is the oldest and largest AIDS Service Organization (ASO) in Oregon and Southwest Washington that provides the LGBTQ+ community and beyond with compassionate healthcare. CAP’s mission is to promote well-being and advance equity by providing inclusive health and wellness services for LGBTQ+ people, people affected by HIV, and all those seeking compassionate care. Prism Health, Our House, Tod’s Corner and Esthers Pantry are all apart of CAP. To learn more about us please visit CAP, Prism Health and Our House.
Cascade AIDS Project is excited to announce that we are hiring skilled and team-oriented Peer Support Specialist the Peer Support Specialist collaborates with the staff and management of the Housing and Support Services Department to provide high-quality, coordinated, strengths-based social services aligned with the agency’s mission to support people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA). This individual works in partnership with CAP and Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon’s HIV Day Center staff to assist clients experiencing homelessness or housing instability by connecting them with essential community resources such as housing, healthcare, mental health, substance use treatment, and more.
This individual will be co-located at both EMO’s HIV Day Center and CAP’s Davis Street office, with travel required throughout the five-county service area for meetings and client home visits. Typical working hours are Monday-Friday 8:30am-5:00pm. Availability to work evenings and weekends for required agency events is necessary.
Starting pay for this position is $47,370.59. The Peer Support Specialist’s pay increases with tenure and the top of the pay scale is $55,170. This is a union represented position, so the compensation, benefits and conditions of work are collectively bargained.
Who You Are
- Knowledgeable about the lived experience of housing instability and willingness to mindfully share that experience and/or knowledgeable about the lived experience of experiencing mental health issues and willingness to mindfully share that experience and/or knowledgeable about the lived experience of substance abuse issues and willingness to mindfully share that experience.
- If history of substance abuse or addiction, the Peer Support Specialist must have a minimum two years of continuous and current sobriety
- Within 3 months of hire, successful completion of an Oregon Health Authority (OHA) Addictions & Mental Health (AMH) -approved Peer Support Specialist Training and certification as a Peer Support Specialist
- Ability to work with ethnic, racial, economic and sexually diverse populations and persons who have experienced homelessness, persons with a mental illness and/or substance abuse
- Basic computer and keyboard proficiency using Microsoft Office software (Word, Excel, Outlook) and working knowledge of the internet
- Able to travel throughout the service area on a regular basis
What You’ll Do
- Work in collaboration with medical case managers, housing case managers, service navigators, medical providers, or other providers involved in client care, to provide coordinated comprehensive care to people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) with a focus on fulfilling their goals.
- Makes appropriate referrals to mental health, substance abuse, psychosocial support or other community partners as needed and assists clients with accessing these services.
- Accompany clients to appointments to facilitate access to medical care, substance use treatment, mental health services, housing and other services.
- Provide housing sustainability support which may include eviction prevention support, advocacy with landlords with and on behalf of clients, support understanding and complying with rental agreement, and general information and referral assistance.
- Provides accurate, complete, timely and current written and database records/files, including timely data entry.
- Meets all contract requirements and provides supporting documentation including program performance data and reports as required.
At Cascade AIDS Project, we believe in unlocking potential. If you believe you may have the skills to do a job, we encourage you to apply even if you don’t meet every qualification. one of us. Cascade AIDS Project is an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer. Black, Indigenous, and all other People of Color (BIPOC), women, LGBTQ+ individuals, veterans, and people living with HIV or other disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.
