Veteran Specialist

POSITION TITLE:

Veteran Specialist

TERMS:

30 hours per week – temporary position (Grant‑based: January 1 2026 to June 30 2027)

LOCATION:

Enterprise, OR (and surrounding areas)

REPORTS TO:

Veteran Program Supervisor

Wallowa Valley Center for Wellness (WVCW) is an innovative nonprofit providing comprehensive services to individuals impacted by mental health, addictions and developmental disabilities. We hire individuals that are skilled and motivated to meet our mission through outcome‑based strategies that foster personal and community transformation.

Use lived experience as a Service member with a mental health condition, substance abuse, and/or military trauma experience to assist in supporting other Veterans in their recovery path. This is achieved by sharing parts of your own personal recovery story and first‑hand experiences, providing mutual support, hope, reassurance and advocacy.

• Use lived experience to provide peer support, hope, reassurance and advocacy for Veterans in recovery.
• Coach Veterans (individually and in groups) to build coping skills, challenge negative self‑talk and reduce fear/shame.
• Provide trauma‑informed support and help Veterans understand symptoms of mental health and substance use challenges.
• Conduct outreach and engage Veterans and community members in a variety of community settings.
• Help Veterans set goals and develop/maintain individualized service, support and wellness plans (e.g., WRAP).
• Model recovery by sharing your personal recovery story and demonstrating self‑determination and use of natural supports.
• Connect Veterans to resources and peer‑run programs, groups and community partners to meet identified needs.
• Assist with self‑advocacy and advocacy for services, benefits/entitlements and unmet needs.
• Support Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) as needed (e.g., appointments, shopping, housekeeping, employment exploration).
• Facilitate Veteran peer recovery support groups.
• Monitor for warning signs (missed appointments, relapse risk, safety concerns) and document/report concerns promptly.
• Support crisis situations in collaboration with clinical/medical staff.
• Serve as a liaison with the treatment team; coordinate care through meetings and ongoing communication with clinicians.
• Participate in supervision, training, professional development and provide consultation/cross‑training to team members.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

• Sensitivity to the problems, hopes and rights of persons with mental health conditions, and/or substance abuse, and/or military trauma based on personal life experience.
• Have the capacity to participate in disagreements in a respectful manner.
• Be willing to be non‑judgmental of those with unfamiliar religious backgrounds, race, cultures, sexual orientations, different attitudes toward housing and private property, choice of significant people in their life and current chosen paths to healing and recovery.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills; approachable and professional.
• Good judgment – to know what is an urgent issue and what is a crisis, when to question a client and/or community member and when to leave him/her alone.
• Self‑starter with commitment to the Veteran community; models ongoing personal growth and learning.
• Have the confidence in decision‑making and the willingness to debrief and learn new skills through each situation.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality, comprehend laws, regulations and policies and the ability to follow such laws, regulations, policies and report when they are being violated.
• Ability to communicate effectively in both written and oral formats.
• Ability to coordinate care and work collaboratively with community partners.
• Must have strong computer skills including the ability to document in the electronic medical record, use electronic time tracking and the ability to use Google Workspace specifically Drive, Meets, Spreadsheets, Word documents and email.
• Ability to work as a team member, establish priorities and manage time effectively to meet deadlines.
• Demonstrate ability to work independently and follow verbal and written instructions.
• Experience or willingness to learn…