Certified Peer Specialist - Assertive Community Treatment (ACT)

About the Role

We are hiring a Certified Peer Specialist (CPS) to join our Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) team serving adults with serious mental illness (SMI) in Washington, D.C. As required under 22-A DCMR §3426(f), the CPS serves as a fully integrated team member providing peer recovery support, advocacy, and empowerment-based services within a multidisciplinary treatment model.

The ACT team delivers intensive, person-centered behavioral health services in the community—including homes, shelters, and other natural settings—to help individuals remain stable, independent, and connected.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as a full-time, essential team member of the ACT team, working alongside clinicians, nurses, substance use specialists, and vocational staff.
• Use lived experience with mental health and/or substance use recovery to build rapport, trust, and hope with individuals facing serious behavioral health challenges.
• Assist clients in developing self-identified recovery goals and support them in working toward greater independence and community integration.
• Offer peer-led recovery coaching, skill-building, and emotional support based on mutual understanding and shared lived experience.
• Facilitate or co-facilitate peer recovery groups, wellness activities, and recovery education.
• Accompany clients to medical, housing, or benefit-related appointments, and assist in navigating systems such as DBH, SSA, or Medicaid.
• Engage clients through community-based outreach, especially those who are disengaged from services or in crisis.
• Document all services according to agency and DBH requirements.
• Uphold the values of trauma-informed, culturally competent, person-centered care.

Qualifications

Required:

• Certified Peer Specialist (CPS) credential issued or approved by the C. Department of Behavioral Health (DBH).
• Personal lived experience with recovery from a mental health condition and/or substance use disorder.
• High school diploma or equivalent (GED).
• Must meet staffing standards outlined in C. Municipal Regulation §3426(f) for ACT teams.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and collaboration skills.
• Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation (field work is required).

Preferred:

• Experience working on a multidisciplinary team or in a mobile/community-based mental health setting.
• Familiarity with D.C.’s behavioral health system, housing, benefits, and harm reduction services.
• Bilingual (Spanish, Amharic, ASL, or other languages) is a plus.

Benefits

• Competitive salary based on experience
• Ongoing peer support training and supervision
• Supportive, team-oriented work culture

Work Schedule

• Full-time
• Flexibility 
• Majority of services are delivered in community settings (not office-based)