Recovery Mentor #58807 $22.44+ DOE

Position Close Date January 15, 2026

This position is responsible for providing peer support services to clients in recovery by building supportive relationships, facilitating individualized goal-setting, and connecting individuals to essential resources and treatment services. The role combines direct client engagement, crisis intervention, care coordination, and administrative responsibilities to promote recovery, stability, and self-determination using trauma-informed and person-centered approaches by performing the following duties.

A high school diploma or GED is required for this role. In addition to the education requirement, this position requires lived experience with substance use recovery, along with the demonstrated ability to use that experience to support others in a professional peer role. Experience working with individuals who have co-occurring substance use, and mental health challenges is preferred. Experience working with individuals involved in the criminal justice system or experiencing housing instability is preferred. Experience using electronic health records (EHRs) or similar documentation systems is preferred. Experience working in Medicaid-billable peer services or behavioral health settings is preferred. An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience may be used to satisfy these requirements.

This position requires a current Certified Recovery Mentor (CRM) credential through MHACBO or the ability to obtain this certification within six months of hire. If pursuing the CRM credential, must self-identify as a person in recovery from substance use disorder and meet MHACBO's eligibility requirements for certification. Must meet eligibility criteria for enrollment as a Medicaid provider in Oregon.

• Builds and maintains supportive peer relationships grounded in mutual respect, shared lived experience, and recovery principles to promote client engagement and hope.
• Supports clients in identifying and working toward individualized recovery goals across areas such as treatment engagement, housing, employment, education, and wellness to foster stability and self-determination.
• Provides mentorship and guidance using trauma-informed, person-centered, and harm reduction approaches to reduce barriers to care and increase trust.
• Facilitates peer-led recovery groups and structured activities to support community building, skill development, and shared accountability.
• Introduces clients to a range of recovery supports including 12-step, mutual aid, cultural, spiritual, or wellness-based resources to increase connection and sustained recovery.
• Assists clients in navigating behavioral health, social service, and criminal justice systems, including court, probation/parole, child welfare, and medication-assisted treatment (MAT), to increase service access and continuity.
• Conducts outreach and maintains regular client contact through scheduled sessions, field visits, or phone/text outreach to enhance engagement and service consistency.
• Supports clients in meeting practical needs such as obtaining ID, applying for benefits, securing housing, and attending critical appointments.

• Transport clients safely to appointments, court, or recovery activities using agency vehicles to ensure reliable access to essential services.
• Observes clients for signs of relapse, intoxication, withdrawal, or behavioral escalation and follows agency protocols to support client safety and program integrity.
• Responds to client crises using de-escalation strategies and peer-appropriate interventions, and assists with emergency response (e.g., Narcan or CPR) if trained.
• Maintains accurate and timely documentation in the electronic health record to ensure continuity of care and compliance with regulatory standards.
• Obtain and track Release of Information (ROI) forms to coordinate care and support information sharing with external partners as needed.
• Collaborates with internal interdisciplinary staff, including medical providers, counselors, case managers, as well as community partners such as court staff, parole officers, and legal representatives, to align treatment efforts and ensure consistent implementation of care plans, problem-solving, and quality of care.
• Incorporates client feedback and outcome monitoring tools, e.g., feedback Informed Treatment (FIT), to improve peer services and client-centered care.
• Promotes recovery culture and model recovery values through ethical behavior, emotional regulation, and boundary-setting.
• Participates in supervision, team meetings, and professional development to strengthen skills, maintain certification, and contribute to a collaborative work environment.
• Manages administrative responsibilities such as checking email, responding to phone calls, managing appointment schedules, and maintaining timely documentation.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

• Knowledge of the recovery process, including multiple recovery pathways and stages of change, to support flexible and relevant peer engagement.
• Knowledge of the MHACBO Code of Conduct, peer boundaries, mandated reporting, and legal standards such as CFR 42 Part 2 to ensure ethical, confidential, and compliant clinical practice.
• Knowledge of trauma-informed care principles and the impact of trauma on substance use and recovery to promote safe, supportive client interactions.
• Knowledge of recovery supports, harm reduction, and housing & employment resources to effectively connect clients with these services.
• Knowledge of system navigation including behavioral health, justice, and social services to assist clients in meeting legal, treatment, or housing-related requirements.
• Knowledge of documentation practices, respectful language use, and the purpose of Feedback Informed Treatment (FIT) to support accountability, client voice, and collaborative care.
• Skilled in facilitating peer-led support groups and activities that enhance engagement, structure, and shared learning.
• Skilled in using personal recovery experience to model recovery principles and self-determination in alignment with peer ethics and scope.
• Skilled in identifying and responding to client needs using de-escalation, peer-based interventions, and safety planning when appropriate to support client well-being.
• Skilled in maintaining clear and timely documentation and communicating effectively with interdisciplinary team members to support shared goals.
• Ability to provide compassionate, nonjudgmental support to clients across all stages of recovery, including those who are pre-contemplative.
• Ability to work independently while maintaining regular follow-up and communication to ensure consistent service delivery.
• Ability to safely transport clients and maintain driving eligibility in accordance with agency policies.
• Ability to model emotional regulation, healthy boundaries, and recovery-oriented behavior to promote peer leadership and trust.
• Ability to recognize signs of relapse, emotional distress, or safety concerns and respond appropriately to protect clients and others.
• Ability to engage in supervision and ongoing professional development to improve service quality and maintain certification.
• Ability to use client feedback and self-reflection to adapt services and strengthen mentoring relationships.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite or related programs.

• Must complete a criminal history background check and receive authorization from the State of Oregon's Background Check Unit.
• Must not be excluded from participation in federal healthcare programs, including but not limited to listings on the Office of Inspector General (OIG) List of Excluded Individuals/Entities and the System for Award Management (SAM) exclusion list.
• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship.
• If driving is required for the position, the individual must have an active driver's license, current insurance, reliable transportation and ability to meet VOA Oregon's and VOA Oregon's insurer's driver standards.

Travel Requirement

• 36% or more of work time requires travel.

Supervisory Responsibilities

This position has no supervisory responsibilities but may provide guidance to interns.

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee must meet and may encounter while performing the essential duties of this job.

• Moves regularly throughout the day in a variety of settings, including outpatient treatment clinics, supportive housing environments, and community-based locations such as shelters, service centers, encampments, or other public spaces.
• Prolonged periods sitting or standing in both structured office settings and unpredictable field environments, including working in various weather conditions.
• Must be able to occasionally lift, carry, push, and/or pull up to 50 pounds.
• Communicates regularly throughout the day via phone calls, in-person meetings, and written documentation with clients and team members.
• Performs repetitive tasks such as walking, climbing stairs, using hands and fingers to handle objects, tools, or controls, reaching with hands and arms, balancing, stooping, and kneeling.
• Must be able to respond to occasional crisis situations and maintain personal and client safety in environments where behaviors may be unpredictable, disruptive, or escalated.
• Requires flexibility to work in non-traditional field environments where clients may be unhoused and potentially accompanied by pets.
• Requires the ability to talk, see, and hear clearly to communicate and monitor safety across diverse settings effectively.
• The typical noise level is moderate.

Individuals in this role must be able to perform essential job duties with or without reasonable accommodation and without posing a direct threat to the safety or health of employees or others. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential duties.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by the incumbent(s) of this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and activities required for this position.