Behavioral Health Home (BHH) Peer Support Specialist
About The Position
Alternative Wellness Services (AWS) is seeking compassionate and recovery-oriented individuals to join our Behavioral Health Home (BHH) team as a Peer Support Specialist. In this role, you will use your personal experience with mental health and/or substance use recovery to support individuals in building meaningful goals, increasing independence, and strengthening community connections. This is a community-based position serving members throughout the Portland and Biddeford regions, with regular travel required. The Peer Support Specialist provides recovery-oriented support services to individuals receiving Behavioral Health Home services. Peer Support Specialists use lived experience to provide encouragement, advocacy, mentoring, and connection while helping members navigate services and build self-directed recovery goals. This role is not clinical in nature and does not provide therapy services.
Requirements
- High School Diploma or GED required; Associate Degree preferred
- Personal lived experience with mental health services and/or substance use recovery
- Willingness to appropriately self-disclose recovery experiences in peer and community settings
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills
- Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively within a team environment
- Basic computer proficiency, including Microsoft Office, Outlook, and Electronic Health Records
- Valid driver’s license, reliable transportation, and acceptable driving record
- Ability to travel regularly throughout the service area and work in community-based settings
- Current State of Maine Certified Intentional Peer Support Specialist (CIPSS) certification preferred
- Candidates who are not yet certified must be willing and able to obtain provisional certification within 9 months of hire and maintain certification requirements thereafter
Nice To Haves
- Associate Degree preferred
- Current State of Maine Certified Intentional Peer Support Specialist (CIPSS) certification preferred
Responsibilities
- Utilize lived experience to provide hope, encouragement, and peer-based support
- Build supportive and therapeutic relationships with members
- Assist members in identifying strengths, goals, and recovery supports
- Help members navigate mental health, substance use, medical, and community-based systems
- Connect individuals with community resources and support networks
- Encourage independence, self-advocacy, and wellness planning
- Facilitate peer connection and promote community engagement
- Participate in team meetings and collaborative care coordination
- Complete timely and accurate documentation within the Electronic Health Record (EHR)
- Maintain professional, ethical, and trauma-informed interactions with members and community partners
- Participate in required trainings and maintain compliance with state licensing, CMS regulations, agency policies, and HIPAA standards
- Flexibility to work occasional evenings based on member or program needs
Benefits
- Medical insurance
- Dental insurance
- Vision insurance
- Paid Time Off (PTO)
- Paid holidays
- Additional voluntary benefit options
- Professional development and training opportunities
- Supportive and recovery-oriented team environment
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Part-time
Career Level
Entry Level
Education Level
High school or GED
