Certified Peer Specialist

Brightli • Independence, MO

19d

About The Position

The Certified Peer Specialist provides recovery-focused support to individuals experiencing mental health challenges. Drawing on personal experience with mental illness and formal training, the specialist offers hope, guidance, and support as individuals manage symptoms, navigate service systems, and pursue recovery, independence, and personal goals. The role is in the Adult Housing department in Independence, Missouri, and requires certification as a Missouri Peer Specialist and at least a high school diploma or GED.

The specialist supports self-advocacy, helps connect individuals with services and community resources, assists with crisis de-escalation and coping skills, and teaches practical skills related to recovery. The role also involves guiding individuals through service systems, maintaining ethical boundaries and privacy, and entering clinical documentation into a computerized record system. The position requires a valid driver's license and reliable vehicle, and successful completion of mandatory continuing education and CPR, First Aid, and CPI training.

This is a full-time role. The posting describes a supportive workplace and offers paid time off, employee benefits, training, and career advancement opportunities.

Requirements

• Be a Certified Missouri Peer Specialist.
• Have at least a high school diploma or GED.
• Be able to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals.
• Be able to write routine reports and correspondence.
• Communicate effectively with groups of clients, organization employees, family members, and community contacts.
• Perform basic arithmetic using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals.
• Apply common-sense understanding to carry out written, oral, or diagrammed instructions and address problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations.
• Successfully complete mandatory continuing education to maintain certification and complete CPR, First Aid, and CPI training.
• Establish effective relationships via telephone and personal contacts.
• Follow direction and accept supervision.
• Work with a variety of human problems and competently handle crisis intervention.
• Have a valid driver's license and reliable vehicle.
• Have strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Work independently and as part of a team.
• Demonstrate flexibility and adaptability in a fast-paced environment.
• Demonstrate compassion, empathy, and a genuine desire to help others.

Responsibilities

• Empower individuals with mental illness to recognize their strengths, set goals, and make informed decisions.
• Support individuals in advocating for themselves and accessing resources and services, and advocate on behalf of consumers to improve systems and policies.
• Provide emotional support through active listening, validation, encouragement, and appropriate sharing of personal experiences.
• Assist individuals during crises by helping de-escalate situations, connecting them to appropriate services, and supporting coping skills development.
• Teach practical skills, including problem solving, communication, stress management, symptom management, and relapse prevention.
• Connect individuals to community resources related to housing, employment, education, vocational training, transportation, financial assistance, and peer support groups.
• Guide individuals through service systems by explaining options and benefits, facilitating appointments, and accompanying them to meetings with service providers.
• Encourage a recovery-oriented approach focused on wellness, self-determination, and person-centered planning.
• Follow ethical guidelines and codes of conduct, safeguard privacy, obtain consent, avoid dual relationships, and practice self-care.
• Enter clinical documentation into a computerized record system.

Benefits

• Employee Assistance Program with 24/7 counseling, legal assistance, and financial consultation for the employee and household at no cost.
• Mileage reimbursement for work functions requiring travel.
• Employee discounts on hotels, theme parks and attractions, and college tuition.
• Paid time off for full-time employees.
• Health, dental, vision, retirement, and life benefits for full-time employees.
• Initial, ongoing, comprehensive, and supportive training.
• Career mobility and advancement opportunities, including promotion from within.
• Supportive workplace culture that promotes employee wellbeing.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Education Level: High school or GED