Job Summary:
The Peer Counselor is an essential part of our behavioral health and supportive services team, offering guidance, empathy, and support to individuals navigating mental health challenges, substance use recovery, and/or chronic medical conditions. Lived experience with recovery is highly valued and preferred, though not required. Candidates may also bring relevant expertise, transferable skills, or a strong commitment to peer-informed care. The Peer Counselor helps clients build resilience, access services, and engage in meaningful wellness activities, fostering a supportive and nonjudgmental environment while bridging the gap between providers and the communities we serve.
Key Responsibilities:
Client Support & Engagement:
- Build trusting, empathetic relationships with clients through shared experience and non-clinical support.
- Assist clients in setting and achieving personal recovery goals.
- Provide mentorship and encouragement around treatment adherence, lifestyle changes, and reentry challenges.
- Accompany clients to appointments or assist with navigating service systems (as needed).
Wellness & Recovery Promotion:
- Facilitate or co-facilitate peer-led groups, including wellness check-ins, recovery education, life skills, or support circles.
- Help clients develop coping strategies, crisis plans, and independent living skills.
- Encourage participation in structured programming, activities, or community engagement events.
Documentation & Communication:
- Maintain accurate and timely documentation of all peer interactions in compliance with program policies and confidentiality standards.
- Communicate client needs and concerns to appropriate team members while respecting client privacy.
- Support coordination of care by collaborating with case managers, clinicians, and medical staff.
Advocacy & Representation:
- Advocate for trauma-informed, person-centered approaches within the agency and among partner organizations.
- Represent the peer voice at internal meetings, training, and community events.
Training & Professional Growth:
- Participate in ongoing peer support training, supervision, and development workshops.
- Maintain certification and understanding of recovery models, harm reduction, and cultural humility.
Required Qualifications:
- Lived experience with behavioral health recovery, substance use recovery, and/or PLWHIV.
- Must be actively engaged in stable recovery (minimum 1 year preferred).
- High School Diploma or GED.
- Peer Support Specialist certification (or willingness to obtain within 6 months of hire).
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
- Basic computer literacy (documentation, email, scheduling).
Preferred Qualifications:
- Bilingual (Spanish or Haitian Creole).
- Experience working with justice-involved, LGBTQ+, or underserved populations.
- Familiarity with harm reduction, motivational interviewing, and recovery-oriented systems of care.
Work Environment & Physical Requirements:
- Combination of office, community, and in-field work.
- May involve standing, walking, or light lifting (up to 20 lbs).
- Flexible schedule may include some evenings or weekends based on client needs.