<p>Description</p> <p>HomePlate Youth Services Job Opening</p> <p>POSITION: Drop-in Peer Support Specialist</p> <p>PROGRAM: Drop-in Program</p> <p>REPORTS TO: Drop-in Center Coordinator</p> <p>SALARY: $32.80/hour + $2,500/year bilingual differential</p> <p>STATUS: Full-Time, Temporary Position, Dec 2026*</p> <p>TO APPLY: APPLICATION LINK</p> <p>BENEFITS: Employer paid medical (90%) and dental benefits for employee (100%)</p> <p>and 50% covered for dependents, $500 health reimbursement arrangement pro-rated to start date, short-term and long term disability policy; a 32-hours, 4-day work week; starting at 4 weeks (16 days) of PTO per year, 9 paid holidays, and paid sabbatical leave, professional development opportunities, and a semi flexible work schedule. A bilingual differential of $2,500 per year is available for staff who meet the fluency standards as administered by a third party assessor.</p> <ul> <li>Temporary Position: This role is funded through a contract that extends through December 2026. While HomePlate is actively pursuing ongoing funding to sustain the position beyond this date, continued employment is not guaranteed past 12/31/2026. </li></ul> <p>POSITION CLOSES: Open until filled.</p> <p>ABOUT HOMEPLATE</p> <p>Established in 2005, HomePlate is a non-profit that offers hot meals, showers, resources, referrals, recreation, and positive interactions with adults. Located in Washington County and serving young people ages 12-24, HomePlate provides services to hundreds of youth each year. Our mission is to support the positive development of young people experiencing homelessness or housing instability through community building, education, access to services and resources, and youth empowerment. HomePlate successfully connects community members and youth at-risk together in order to engage youth towards meeting their education, housing, employment, medical, and other needs. We encourage you to visit our website at www.HomePlateYouth.org to learn more about who we are.</p> <p>POSITION OVERVIEW</p> <p>The Peer Support Specialist (PSS) provides youth-centered mental health peer support in drop-in and community settings to increase access to care and build pathways into behavioral health careers.</p> <p>This role serves youth at our Beaverton and Hillsboro sites, with some travel across Washington County. Under supervision of the Drop-In Coordinator, the PSS will:</p> <ul> <li>Use a strengths-based, youth-centered approach based on the Circle of Courage </li><li>Engage youth in conversation, planning, and skill-building </li><li>Monitor the milieu and intervene early to prevent crises </li><li>Respond to and help manage crisis situations </li><li>Maintain accurate documentation and program records </li></ul> <p>CORE RESPONSIBILITIES</p> <p>Peer Support</p> <ul> <li>Provide referrals and navigation to community and in-house mental health resources (including Sequoia Mental Health Services) </li><li>Provide mentorship and coaching to youth experiencing mental health challenges </li><li>Assist with community education and outreach events as capacity allows </li></ul> <p>Drop-In</p> <ul> <li>Maintain a safe, welcoming environment </li><li>Provide referrals, basic needs (meals, hygiene, clothing), and service navigation (SNAP, OHP, Trimet, etc.) </li><li>Support volunteers and collaborate across programs </li><li>Document services, engage in timely data entry, and maintain databases (HMIS, Airtable, Google) </li><li>Plan and facilitate activities, outings, and events </li><li>Provide 1:1 support to youth </li><li>Assist with inventory, donations, purchasing, and program logistics </li><li>Provide services during scheduled drop-in hours in Beaverton and Hillsboro </li><li>Monday & Wednesday: 3-5PM, 6-8PM | Beaverton </li><li>Tuesday: Paused hours (historically 2-5PM, may return in the future) | Beaverton </li><li>Thursday: 6-8PM | Hillsboro </li></ul> <p>WORK SCHEDULE</p> <p>Monday-Thursday, 32 hours/week:</p> <ul> <li>Mon/Wed: 12:15pm-8:15pm (Beaverton) </li><li>Tues: 9:00am-5:00pm (Beaverton) </li><li>Thurs: 12:15pm-8:15pm (Hillsboro) </li></ul> <p>Occasional weekends for events; schedule can be flexed.</p> <p>DESIRED SKILLS</p> <ul> <li>Candidates with bilingual Spanish/English skills preferred. </li><li>Peer Support certification (or eligibility) through an OHA-approved agency (or CRM/QMHA) </li><li>Experience working with youth, especially those experiencing homelessness or behavioral health challenges (preferred) </li><li>Strong relationship-building skills across diverse communities </li><li>Knowledge of local resources (preferred) </li><li>Ability to work independently and in team settings </li><li>Strong communication, organization, and critical thinking skills </li><li>Comfort in dynamic, fast-paced environments </li><li>Basic computer skills (Google Suite, databases, social media) </li><li>CPR/First Aid/Food Handler's card (or ability to obtain within 90 days) </li><li>Ability to pass background check and lift up to 50 lbs </li></ul> <p>HomePlate is committed to providing a safe workplace for our staff and to serve as a positive force in ending the COVID 19 pandemic. We believe that requiring vaccinations as a term of your employment serves this commitment. All employees are required to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination or qualification for a medical or religious exemption. By applying for this position, you represent you meet these job requirements. Failure to do so will disqualify you from employment.</p> <p>HomePlate values diversity in its workforce and is an equal opportunity employer.</p> <p>QTBIPOC (Queer, Trans, Black, Indigenous, People of color) and/or those with lived experience are encouraged to apply.</p> <p>Click here to read HomePlate's full Equity Statement</p> <p>Listing Type</p> <p>On-Site</p> <p>Categories</p> <p>Nonprofit</p> <p>Position Type</p> <p>Temporary</p> <p>Experience Level</p> <p>Entry Level</p> <p>Employer Type</p> <p>Direct Employer</p> <p>Salary Min</p> <p>32.80</p> <p>Salary Max</p> <p>33</p> <p>Salary Type</p> <p>/hr.</p>