Peer Support Specialist/Counselor (Multilingual)/Parent Education Instructor

About the position Lutheran Community Services NW is a non-profit organization dedicated to serving communities throughout Washington, Oregon, and Idaho with a wide range of services for individuals of all ages and backgrounds. All LCSNW team members will contribute to our mission of partnering with individuals, families and communities for health, justice and hope. The Peer Support Specialist / Parent Education Instructor (Multilingual English/Spanish) combines the unique perspective of lived experience with professional skills in parent education and family support. This position supports families through parenting education groups, peer-to-peer, and individualized support in homes and community settings throughout Yamhill County. By drawing on both formal training and personal experience as a parent/caregiver navigating child-serving systems, the specialist empowers families to strengthen protective factors, increase resilience, and access resources that promote safety, stability, and positive outcomes for children. This position is full-time for 37.5 hours per week with evening and some weekend hours, with approximately 22.5 hours per week as a Peer Support Specialist and 15 hours per week as a Parent Education Instructor.

Responsibilities

• Assess for parental capacities as related to child safety and well-being, and unmet basic needs child safety and well-being
• Help family members overcome barriers and identify strengths
• Refer client to supportive services to supplement treatment and counseling as appropriate
• Provides in-home peer-based support, encouragement, and advocacy to families experiencing challenges, modeling trust and mutual respect.
• Offer supportive services and guidance to parents and caregivers in areas such as communication, home management, stress reduction, budgeting, and parenting strategies.
• Conduct outreach and build connections with families, ensuring services are culturally responsive and accessible.
• Collaborate with DHS, schools, behavioral health providers, and other community partners to coordinate services and support family goals.
• Prepare and facilitate parenting education groups using approved curriculum and promote active family engagement.
• Coordinate logistics for parent education sessions, including registration, materials, food/snacks, and communication with families.
• Oversee and support childcare providers during group sessions, ensuring a safe and nurturing environment for children.

Requirements

• The ability to read, write and speak fluently in both English and Spanish is required.
• Must be at least 18 years of age.
• Ability to travel throughout Yamhill County to meet families’ needs.
• Strong group facilitation, peer support, and communication skills.
• Open to reflective practice (i.e. has capacity for introspection, communicates awareness of self in relation to others, recognizes value of supervision, etc.) in relation to parents/caregivers and children who have a variety of stresses/challenges.
• Ability to work with parents and their children in a warm, calming, respectful, encouraging, and patient manner.
• Ability to work effectively with data and computers systems.
• A valid driver's license, car insurance, and reliable vehicle are required.
• High School Diploma or GED and one year of experience working with youth and families and facilitating parenting education groups or adult education workshops is required.
• Must have lived experience as the primary caregiver to a child with mental health or behavioral health needs.
• Bi-lingual (English/Spanish) with the ability to read, write and speak fluently in both languages is required.

Nice-to-haves

• Personal lived experience with mental health and/or addiction recovery preferred.
• Experience working with systems-involved families (i.e. ODHS, juvenile justice, courts, housing) preferred.
• Current certification as an Oregon Traditional Health Worker Peer Support Specialist, or completed within 60 days of hire, training is provided.
• Current adult and pediatric CPR & First Aid and Oregon Food Handler’s Card or completed within 60 days of hire, training is provided.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, vision, and prescription benefits
• Employer-paid short- and long-term disability insurance
• Life insurance coverage at no cost to you
• Up to 2 weeks of vacation in your first year (based on hours worked)
• Up to 2 weeks of sick leave (based on hours worked)
• 12 paid agency recognized holidays
• 2 floating holidays to use your way
• 403(b) retirement plan with employer matching (eligibility applies)
• Access to our Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for you and your family
• Potential eligibility for Student Loan Forgiveness through our 501(c)(3) nonprofit status

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