Deschutes County, Or

Salary: $4,637.53 - $6,214.73 Monthly
Location : Bend, OR
Job Type: Regular, full time, full benefits
Job Number: 2026-00119
Department: Health Services
Opening Date: 08/13/2026
Closing Date: 8/27/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
Bargaining Unit: AFSCME
Summary
ABOUT 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 THEJOB:
The Peer Support Specialist, BHRN (Behavioral Health Resource Network) will provide direct crisis and substance abuse peer recovery services to individuals seeking support through the Deschutes County Crisis Program. This position's primary roles include encouraging and supporting individuals in their journey, helping individuals to access crisis, mental health, and substance abuse resources in the community, answering client calls after hours, connecting and engaging with treatment, and providing support to the general functioning of the Deschutes County Crisis Program. The Crisis Program operates 24/7 within the Deschutes County Stabilization Center (DCSC), providing voluntary walk-in crisis services. The DCSC also houses the Community Crisis Response Team (CCRT) which provides in-person crisis services to those in the community. This position will require both DCSC-based and community-based peer services. The Deschutes County Crisis Program operates from a multidisciplinary team approach.
This position draws on the Peer Support Specialist's own lived experience to assist individuals in achieving their behavioral health goals; promotes self-determination, personal responsibility, and empowerment in recovery; acts as a role model to persons in recovery to inspire hope; and shares life experiences and lessons learned as a person in their own recovery.
This position also requires responsibility for satisfactorily completing required paperwork and electronic health record documentation according to Deschutes County Behavioral Health policies, procedures, and data integrity standards.
This is a swing shift position, and typical working hours include Monday through Friday from 3:00pm-11:30pm. Will be required to work some holidays.
Key Responsibilities:

• Assist clients in developing the perspectives that promote resiliency and facilitate recovery.
• Model personal responsibility and self-care.
• Teach coping/life skills.
• Share own experiences in appropriate ways.
• Maintain appropriate clinical boundaries and form appropriate relationships with clients.
• Perform a wide variety of tasks to assist client's wellness.
• Support individuals in DCSC 23-hour voluntary Adult Respite.

What You Will Bring:
Knowledge of or experience with:

• Self-identified person with a history of experiencing recovery from addiction or experience assisting family members who have experienced addiction.
• Self-identified person currently or formerly receiving substance abuse services or combined treatment for mental health and substance use disorder.
• Navigating substance abuse and/or mental health treatment systems.

Skill in:

• Encouraging clients and supporting self-efficacy.
• Providing good customer service and coming from a place of "yes."
• Accepting feedback and being a continuous learner.
• Communicating effectively both verbally and in writing.
• Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with others at all times.

*This posting is not meant to be an all-inclusive list of duties and responsibilities, but rather constitutes a general definition of the position's scope and function.
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
$4,637.53 to $6,214.73 per month for a 173.33 hour work month, plus a 7.5% shift differential for swing shift. Excellent County benefit package when eligible. This union-represented position is available immediately.
Attention all candidates: please make sure your application includes all job history, education, training, certifications, licenses, and other relevant experience, as this information will be used to determine your starting salary range in accordance with Oregon Pay Equity. Resumes will not be reviewed.
BENEFITS:
Our robust healthcare package covers medical, prescription, dental, and vision coverage at a minimal cost of $100 for employee only and $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 complete an Addictions and Behavioral Health Division certified peer support specialist training program either at the time of hire or within four months from date of hire, and be 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.
Preferred Qualifications:

• Bilingual in English and Spanish.
• Previous experience working in the role of a peer.
• Currently credentialed as a Peer Support Specialist in the state of Oregon.

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 able and willing to drive throughout Deschutes County in sometimes adverse weather conditions.
NOTE: this position requires a Criminal Background check through the State Background Check Unit/Orchards, which may also include being fingerprinted. These rules provide for the reasonable screening under ORS 181A.195, 181A.200, 409.027 AND 413.036 of the County's employees to determine if they have a history of specific criminal behavior identified in federal or state law or rules such that they should not be allowed to work, be employed, or perform in positions covered by these rules. Please click to review Criminal Records Check Rules. All offers of employment for this position are contingent upon the candidate receiving final approval from the State Background Check Unit/Orchards to work in this position.
Must complete an Oregon Health Authority approved Certified Peer Support Specialist training program within four months of hire date.
Necessary Special Requirements: If identified as being in recovery from a substance use disorder, must be able to document continuous abstinence under independent living conditions or recovery housing for the immediate past two years as defined by Oregon Administrative Rule 309-032-1520. Will be asked to discuss recovery experiences during interview process. If offered the position and incumbent is a current client of Deschutes County Health Services Behavioral Health, incumbent must be reassigned to another agency for services.
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 lift up to 10 pounds.
Deschutes County is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We strive to build an inclusive environment that encourages, supports, and represents the diverse voices and needs of our communities. All are encouraged to apply - we welcome diverse perspectives and experiences.
If you are a veteran and would like to apply for Veterans' Preference, please click for information.
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

Employee paid voluntary benefit offerings include:

• 125 Flexible Spending Program
• 457 Deferred Compensation Program
• Supplemental Life and Accident Insurance

To learn more about Deschutes County's generous benefit offerings, please visit our page and click on Employee Benefits or click HERE for full benefits guide.
01
This position requires a high school diploma or GED equivalent. Do you possess a high school diploma or GED equivalent?

• Yes
• No

02
Per 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. This position requires you to be 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. Do you meet this requirement?

• Yes
• No

03
Must possess or have the ability to obtain certification in Oregon as a Certified Traditional Health Worker, Peer Support Specialist within four months from date of hire. Please check the box that describes your current certification status. Click to view the requirements to become a Peer Support Specialist.

• I possess certification in Oregon as a Certified Traditional Health Worker, Peer Support Specialist.
• I have the ability to obtain certification in Oregon as a Certified Traditional Health Worker, Peer Support Specialist within f