Adult Peer Support Specialist

Description

Position Summary
The Adult Peer Support Specialist (Mental Health) uses lived experience with mental health challenges to provide support, encouragement, and advocacy to individuals facing similar struggles. 

This position involves occasionally working with children and parents as well.

This role is an essential part of a multidisciplinary team and focuses on empowering individuals on their recovery and wellness journey through peer connection, education, and community support.

Key Responsibilities

Peer Support

• Provide one-on-one and group peer support in a safe, non-judgmental, and empathetic environment
   
• Share personal recovery experiences to inspire hope and model recovery-oriented skills
   
• Demonstrate effective coping strategies, self-care practices, and communication skills
   
• Uphold respect for each individual’s unique recovery path and maintain optimism about recovery outcomes
   

Advocacy

• Advocate for the rights, needs, and voices of individuals living with mental health conditions
   
• Assist individuals in identifying unmet needs and accessing appropriate services and resources
   
• Participate in or organize educational and training activities to reduce stigma and promote recovery
   
• Provide agency in-services on recovery-related topics as requested
   

Education & Guidance

• Share information about mental health services, coping strategies, and community resources
   
• Assist individuals with referrals and navigating mental health and substance use services
   
• Help remove barriers to care, including appointment coordination and transportation support
   
• Support ongoing assessment of recovery progress and resource needs
   

Documentation & Reporting

• Maintain accurate, timely, and confidential documentation including progress notes and service plans
   
• Prepare reports in accordance with agency policies and funding requirements
   

Collaboration

• Work collaboratively with clinicians, case managers, social workers, and other team members
   
• Participate in team meetings, case conferences, and required trainings
   

Additional Duties

• Perform other related duties as assigned
   

General Expectations

• Maintain strict confidentiality of client and agency information
   
• Foster a welcoming and inclusive environment for all individuals
   
• Follow all agency policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements
   
• Work effectively as part of a team
   
• Respect and engage individuals from diverse backgrounds and identities
   
• Maintain flexibility to meet program and client needs, including occasional overtime
   

Physical & Work Requirements

• Ability to sit, stand, walk, talk, and hear for extended periods
   
• Ability to use standard office equipment and computer systems
   
• Occasional lifting up to 10 pounds
   
• Work occurs in a variety of settings including office, community locations, and peers’ living environments
   
• Travel within the designated catchment area is required
   

Schedule & Employment Status

• Non-exempt position under the Fair Labor Standards Act
• Standard hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
• Occasional extended hours as needed, compensated per FLSA guidelines
   

Supervision

This position is supervised by the Adult BHH/Community Integration Supervisor or Peer Recovery Support Manager (Mental Health), as assigned.

Requirements

• This position requires a High School Diploma or equivalent. 
• Must be an individual who is receiving or has received services and supports related to the diagnosis of a mental illness, is in recovery from that illness, and is willing to self-identify. 
• Must have a valid driver’s license and reliable transportation. 
• Upon hire, must work to obtain the Certified Intentional Peer Support Specialist Certification (CIPSS) pre-training within the first 30 days of hire and be fully certified within 9 months of the date of hire. 
• Full certification must be maintained throughout employment as an Adult Peer Support Specialist (Mental Health).