Remote Peer Support Specialist

Lines for Life Job Description 

Position Title: Remote Peer Support Specialist 

Status: Full-Time (40 hours)/Non-Exempt 

Reports To: Peer Support Program Supervisor

Salary Range: The starting pay for a Peer Support Specialist at Lines for Life is $23 per hour with a $2 differential for employees with a graduate degree in a related field ($25/hr.). This is a union position with a step progression based upon years of service at Lines for Life and below is the current step scale:

0-3 years: $23.00

3-5 years: $24.15

5-7 years: $25.36

7-10 years: $26.63

>10 years: $27.96

Internal employees in CIS I, Chat & Text Specialist, or other roles in the “Grade B” classification will have their current pay rates match. This role also comes with a great benefits package valued at over $14,750 per year, including $11,400 in premium coverage for employee health, vision and dental coverage, full coverage of short and long-term disability and life insurance premiums; a matching 401K plan equivalent to 3% of the annual salary during the first 2 years of employment after passing the match eligibility date; as well as a flexible spending plan; an employee assistance program; and a free Fitbit.

Oregon Premium Differential: Employees who live and work from the state of Oregon are eligible for a 2% differential over their base rate of pay for hours worked in Oregon. 

Schedule: Friday – Tuesday: 10:00 am– 6:30 pm Pacific time (40 hrs)

Location: Remote. External candidates must be located in the Portland Oregon area and have the ability to train in the Portland Oregon office.

Start Date: External candidates: May 14^th 2026, Internal candidates TBD

In office training dates for external hires (Portland Oregon office location): May 14^th, May 15^th,16^th, 17^th, 22^nd, and 23^rd

Application Deadline: 3/15/2026

About the Organization: Lines for Life is a regional non-profit that is dedicated to preventing substance abuse and suicide. We offer help and hope to individuals and communities and promote mental health for all. Our work addresses a spectrum of needs that include intervention, prevention, and advocacy. We educate, train, and advocate to prevent issues of substance use, mental health challenges, and thoughts of suicide from reaching crisis levels. But when a crisis arises or support is needed, we are available 24/7/365 to intervene with personalized help. 

Program Purpose: The purpose of the Lines for Life (L4L) Peer Support program is to provide compassionate, empathic support in a judgement-free space where individuals can engage in collaborative communication with Peer Support Specialist through shared lived experiences, understanding, and inspiration. L4L Peer Support encourages resilience and comfort as participants navigate their path beyond the crisis at hand, we aim to assist in alleviating feelings of isolation and distress, while acting as a partner through de-escalation, coping strategies, and empowerment as individuals identify and access their journey towards recovery, safety, and well-being.  

Position Summary: This position is a key element to a program to add peer viewpoints into the crisis continuum. In occupying this role, a Peer Support Specialist will be part of a team delivering peer services to contacts made through 988. 

Responsibilities: 

• Demonstrate the culture of Lines for Life by modeling behavior that supports the organization’s goals and philosophies. 
• Answer referred calls with mutuality and relationality applying the best practices of peer delivery models.
• Complete intakes into peer follow up program and manage caseload of callers in peer follow up program
• Place outbound follow-up calls as assigned.
• Provide referrals for long-term community peer support and assist with resource verification.
• Complete call documentation in a timely manner with key information from the calls.
• Consult with the supervisor as needed about high acuity and complex calls.
• Perform other duties, such administrative and organizational tasks as needed. 

Required Qualifications: 

• External candidates must be a Certified Peer Support Specialist in the State of Oregon (https://www.oregon.gov/oha/ei/pages/thw-pss.aspx).  
• Internal candidates must be willing to get the Peer Support Specialist certification in the state of Oregon 
• External candidates must be located in the state of Oregon
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills 
• Able to handle high levels of stress 
• Ability to develop meaningful connection and empathize 
• Team-oriented 
• Proficient in web-based computer environment and multi-line phone system 
• A HIPAA compliant workspace at home
• Private high speed internet

Preferred Qualifications: 

• Certified Recovery Mentor (Certifications - MHACBO)
• Crisis intervention experience 
• Experience in a call center environment 

Work Schedule: 

Friday – Tuesday: 10:00 am– 6:30 pm Pacific time (40 hrs)

Interview

• Interviews are conducted via Zoom with a Lines for Life supervisor and HR team members and are recorded so that members of the Hiring Committee who are unable to attend the live interview are able to watch the recording and give feedback afterwards.

Training:

• Internal candidates must be willing to get the Peer Support Specialist certification in the state of Oregon which requires completing 4-5 weeks of crisis intervention training for peers with a combination of classroom and peer and on-the-job training, as well as complete ongoing trainings as assigned to meet contractual/grant and internal requirements and continue to learn about best practices in the delivery of peer services. (Lines for Life will pay for this certification for internal candidates if selected for the role. You can be located outside of the State of Oregon and still get this certification). 

Remote Work:

Physical Requirements: 

Quality Assurance:

Compensation Package:

The starting pay for a Peer Support Specialist at Lines for Life is $23 per hour with a $2 differential for employees with a graduate degree in a related field ($25/hr.). This is a union position with a step progression based upon years of service at Lines for Life and below is the current step scale:

0-3 years: $23.00

3-5 years: $24.15

5-7 years: $25.36

7-10 years: $26.63

>10 years: $27.96

Employees who live and work from the state of Oregon are eligible for a 2% differential over their base rate of pay for hours worked in Oregon.  Lines for Life offers a great benefits package valued at over $14,750 per year, including $11,400 in premium coverage for employee health, vision and dental coverage, full coverage of short and long-term disability and life insurance premiums; a matching 401K plan equivalent to 3% of the annual salary during the first 2 years of employment after passing the match eligibility date; as well as a flexible spending plan; an employee assistance program; and a free Fitbit.

If you need reasonable accommodations to participate in the application process or interview, including any pre-employment testing, please inform us by contacting hr@linesforlife.org

This job description is not meant to be an all-inclusive list of duties and responsibilities but, constitutes a general definition of the position's scope and function in the company.  

EEO: Lines for Life strives to create a diverse, inclusive environment to better represent the communities that we serve. We are an equal opportunity employer. Lines for Life shall not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin. However, it shall not be a violation of this clause for the Lines for Life to extend a publicly announced preference in employment to Indians living on or near an Indian reservation, in connection with employment opportunities on or near an Indian reservation, as permitted by 41 CFR 60-1.5

All Lines for Life employees must be approved to work by the Oregon Department of Human Services’ Background Check Unit. Background checks are completed after a conditional offer of employment has been extended.