Peer Specialist

The Peer Specialist provides engagement, advocacy, and supportive services to individuals experiencing homelessness by utilizing their own lived experience with mental health challenges, substance use recovery, homelessness, or other life experiences to inspire hope and promote recovery. The Peer Specialist serves as a role model, helping clients navigate services, build independent living skills, and achieve personal goals related to housing stability, wellness, and community integration.

Essential Responsibilities

• Establish trusting and supportive relationships with individuals experiencing homelessness.
• Utilize lived experience to provide peer support, encouragement, and recovery-oriented guidance.
• Conduct outreach and engagement activities to connect clients with available services and resources.
• Assist clients in developing self-advocacy, problem-solving, and independent living skills.
• Support clients in obtaining and maintaining permanent housing.
• Accompany clients to appointments, housing interviews, benefits offices, and community resources as needed.
• Provide information and referrals regarding healthcare, mental health treatment, substance use services, employment, education, and social services.
• Facilitate peer support groups, wellness activities, and recovery-focused programming.
• Assist clients in identifying personal strengths and developing individualized goals.
• Collaborate with case managers, social workers, clinicians, and housing staff to support client service plans.
• Maintain accurate and timely documentation in accordance with agency policies and regulatory requirements.
• Participate in team meetings, supervision, training, and professional development activities.
• Support crisis intervention efforts and assist in de-escalating challenging situations when appropriate.
• Promote client dignity, empowerment, and person-centered care.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED required; Associate's or Bachelor's degree preferred.
• Certified Peer Specialist (CPS), Certified Recovery Peer Advocate (CRPA), or ability to obtain certification within a specified timeframe preferred.
• Lived experience with homelessness, mental health recovery, substance use recovery, or related challenges required.
• Experience working with homeless individuals, individuals with mental illness, substance use disorders, or other vulnerable populations preferred.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and advocacy skills.
• Ability to engage individuals from diverse backgrounds in a respectful and nonjudgmental manner.
• Knowledge of community resources, housing programs, and social service systems preferred.
• Proficiency with electronic documentation systems and Microsoft Office applications.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team.