Director of Peer Support Quality and Training

Organization History

Founded in Salem Oregon, Project ABLE provides peer-to-peer services and support for individuals recovering from mental health and co-occurring issues. The passion of more than 20 employees and more than 60 volunteers with lived experience creates a community of healing that provides one on one peer support, hosts groups and activities in two different locations. Additionally, Project ABLE provides Peer Support at a county run crisis center in McMinnville and runs one of Oregon’s first Peer Run Respites offering a 24/7 short term stay ER alternative for people in mental health crisis. For 20 years people have found the Project ABLE community and services an important part of their journey to finding A Better Life Experience (ABLE).

Position Summary

The Director of Peer Support Quality and Training is a key leadership position at Project ABLE, responsible for ensuring that the organization’s peer support services are delivered with excellence, integrity, and deep alignment to authentic peer values. This role oversees all aspects of Project ABLE’s peer training program, including the development and delivery of high-quality, OHA-compliant trainings, management of state and local training grants, and the creation of new curriculum and continuing education opportunities.

As the agency’s subject matter expert on peer-delivered services, the Director is a visible and vocal champion of the peer model. This position requires someone who can articulate the philosophy of peer support with clarity and conviction—someone who not only believes in the power of lived experience but can also explain its value to external stakeholders, including funders, regulators, and partner organizations. The ideal candidate understands when compromises to the peer model are being made and can speak candidly, thoughtfully, and strategically about those tensions – this is both an essential piece of the training curriculum but also an important piece of the work ABLE does every day.

This is an exciting opportunity for a leader who is passionate about recovery and who thrives at the intersection of value-driven work and operational excellence. The Director must be able to independently manage contract deliverables and compliance requirements, while also building systems that ensure peer support services across the agency meet the highest standards of quality and consistency.

In addition to supervising a team of three staff within the training program, the Director provides guidance, support, and quality oversight to Peer Support Coordinators and Peer Support Specialists across the organization. They lead efforts related to onboarding, training, supervision, and continuous improvement, helping to ensure that every peer interaction honors the core principles of mutuality, hope, and respect.

Reports to:

Executive Director

Desired Skills for the Position (knowledge, skills, abilities, and attitudes):

We do not expect a candidate to check all of these boxes but please let us know which ones you do, or any skills or positions you think are relevant.

• Lived experience with mental health and/or co-occurring challenges, with a strong personal connection to recovery and peer support values.


• Oregon State Certification as a Peer Support Specialist (PSS) with a minimum of 3 years experience in a peer-delivered services role.


• Demonstrated experience developing and delivering trainings for adult learners, including curriculum design and facilitation.


• Strong understanding of Oregon Administrative Rules (OARs) and Oregon Health Authority (OHA) requirements related to peer-delivered services and Traditional Health Workers (THWs).


• Experience managing or administering state or county-funded grants, including reporting and compliance.


• At least 2 years of supervisory or leadership experience, preferably in a behavioral health, nonprofit, or peer-led organization.


• Excellent interpersonal communication skills, with the ability to represent peer values with clarity and integrity to diverse audiences, including regulators, funders, and partner organizations.


• Strong project management skills, including the ability to balance multiple deadlines, priorities, and stakeholder needs.


• Proficiency with Microsoft Office 365 (Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams) and comfort with cloud-based systems for communication, documentation, and data tracking.


• Ability to model recovery principles in the workplace and create inclusive, supportive environments for peers and staff.

% of Time

Duties

30%

Curriculum Development and Grant Compliance/Reporting

·         Participate in OHA Temps committee to keep up to date with THW training changes.

·         Maintain good standing with OHA on trainings offered.

·         Develop new trainings (e.g., Peer Supervision, Peer Wellness Specialist) and update existing materials.

·         Ensure materials meet state standards and reflect current best practices.

·         Manage grants such as the THW Alliance and SUD Facilitation Grant, including reporting and participation in state learning collaboratives.

·         Ensure training and peer support services comply with Oregon Administrative Rules and contract terms.

·         Serve as primary contact with regulatory agencies related to peer training and supervision.

·         Review and interpret relevant contracts and regulations.

Support the Executive Director with strategic compliance efforts.

25%

Peer Training Program Oversight

·         Maintain a robust peer training schedule to meet grant deliverables and generate revenue.

·         Ensure compliance with OHA training requirements and maintain current accreditation.

·         Oversee registration, payment, certification, and customer support processes.

·         Supervise trainers and admin staff; provide direct training delivery as needed.

·         Track training data and report outcomes to funders (e.g., THW Alliance, OHA).

·         Work with the Bookkeeper to reconcile training revenue.

·         Provide monthly peer supervision to all volunteers and coordinate supervision for staff in partnership with QMHA personnel.

·         Develop and maintain policies and procedures for peer supervision and quality assurance.

·         Remain current on peer supervision requirements and deliver supervision training as needed.

·         Be a consultative resource for peer staff facing difficult support situations.

·         Facilitate or ensure quality of bi-monthly PSS/volunteer meetings to reinforce best practices and community connection.

·         Oversee volunteer intake, onboarding, mentoring, and retention.

·         Work with Peer Support Coordinators and ED to ensure Volunteer Handbook reflects appropriate peer values and processes.

·         Support PSS coordinators when elevated performance or conduct concerns arise with staff or volunteer PSS when necessary.

20%

Oversight of Training Department and Run Trainings as needed

·         Supervise and support training staff to ensure quality trainings and smooth processes from training sign up all the way through getting certified with the state.

·         Step in to support, run, and train trainers in the Project ABLE PSST training, and future developed trainings.

·         Approve time sheets, delegate responsibilities, and conduct performance reviews.

·         Promote a recovery-oriented workplace culture through ongoing mentoring and professional development.

Other duties as assigned