Peer Specialist

Pay: $19 hourly

Schedules x4:

Tues-Sat 8am-4pm
Tues-Sat 4pm-12am
Sun-Thur 4pm-12am
Wed-Sun 12am-8am

The Peer Specialist uses their lived experience with behavioral health services to provide support, encouragement, and guidance to individuals experiencing a mental health crisis. Through trauma-informed, recovery-oriented, and peer-based support, the Peer Specialist helps guests identify strengths, build resilience, and work toward personal recovery goals.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Build supportive relationships with guests experiencing crisis using trauma-informed, recovery-oriented, and Intentional Peer Support (IPS) practices.
• Foster a safe, welcoming, and respectful environment where guests feel heard, valued, and supported.
• Utilize lived experience and recovery knowledge to support guests in their personal recovery journeys.
• Create a sense of community through shared experiences and encourage participation in daily program activities.
• Assist with pre-registration, intake, and orientation processes, including explaining program services, reviewing expectations, conducting tours, and introducing guests to staff and peers.
• Collaborate with healthcare providers, care management teams, and community partners to support guests in identifying and achieving short-term goals.
• Facilitate individual and group activities focused on recovery, wellness, skill-building, WRAP, peer support, harm reduction, and social engagement.
• Provide ongoing encouragement and follow-up support to help guests make progress toward their goals.
• Advocate for guests and assist them in accessing healthcare, behavioral health, and community-based services.
• Help address barriers to care, including transportation challenges, missed appointments, stigma, and communication with providers.
• Assist guests with activities of daily living (ADLs) and promote a clean, safe, and supportive living environment.
• Support meal preparation, provide access to snacks and personal care items, and encourage guest participation in household activities.
• Complete timely and accurate documentation of guest interactions, services provided, referrals, critical incidents, and other required records.
• Participate in data collection and reporting related to program outcomes and service delivery.
• Attend supervision sessions, team meetings, trainings, case conferences, and other required staff meetings.
• Perform light housekeeping and household upkeep duties as needed.
• Provide flexible coverage, including evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays.

Qualifications

Required

• High School Diploma or GED.
• Peer Certification
• Lived experience with the mental health system and a willingness to appropriately share personal recovery experiences to support others.
• Demonstrated respect for and comfort working with individuals experiencing mental health crises.

Preferred

• Experience working in behavioral health, human services, social services, or a related field.
• Completion of a Peer Specialist training program preferred. Candidates not currently certified may be required to obtain certification within an established timeframe.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including active and empathetic listening.
• Ability to utilize critical thinking, problem-solving, and de-escalation techniques.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including Word and Excel.
• Bilingual Spanish-speaking candidates strongly preferred.