NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) Washington County Jail Program Peer Support Specialists provide support to our peers as they journey through the criminal justice system. 

Peer Support - In the NAMI Building

• Provide hospitality by greeting & welcoming peers coming into the building, giving tours, and answering questions about services and practices.

• Provide peer support in person, via telephone, virtually, or by appointment.

• Maintaining a safe, welcoming, and healthy environment. House guidelines are available at the front desk. Staff are to ensure the guidelines are followed.

• Interact with peers throughout the workday, possibly including weekend support groups & expanding weekend hours of operation.

• Maintain relationships with NAMI facilitators and volunteers to support efforts and empower activities and projects that foster support and purposeful peer involvement. 

• Assist and support peers, their caregivers, and families with self-advocacy and recovery skills, and provide community resources, research, and informational services.

• Collaborate with staff and volunteers in determining how to engage prospective peers/volunteers to steer them to the appropriate activities in support of NAMI Washington County’s mission.

Peer Support - In-Custody and Post-Release

• Meet with adults in custody at the Release Center and inside jail housing units to provide one-on-one peer support.

• Continue supporting individuals after release, helping them navigate reentry and reconnect with their community.

• Use your own personal recovery journey to build trust, encourage hope, and empower others to move forward.

• Help individuals access stable housing, shelter options, and other vital community resources.

• Assist with applications for the Oregon Health Plan (OHP), SNAP, and other DHS programs.

• Support clients in obtaining Honored Citizen bus passes, transportation assistance, and free government cell phones.

Support Groups

• Facilitate and co-facilitate NAMI support groups depending on need or availability, according to NAMI standard.

• Fill in occasionally as a substitute facilitator due to illness/emergencies etc. 

• Gather and report data to the Operations supervisor.

Clerical/Administrative

• Respond to all email/phone inquiries.

• Update and share resources when new information becomes available.

• Google Docx., Forms, Sheets, etc. in Google workspace/suite. 

• Communicate any updates or needed changes to our website or social media to our Operations Manager.

Education and Experience:

• Peer Support Specialist certification is required. 

• Must be able to pass a background check in order to become a jail ‘professional visitor.’ 

• The ability to speak Spanish is preferred but not required. 

• Previous ‘lived experience’ within the criminal justice system is preferred but not required. 

• Attend certifications, training, and refreshers as needed.

Perform other reasonable duties as needed or assigned. 

Hourly Wage Range: Depending on experience and certifications. $21-25 per hour, 30 hours per week.