PACT Lead Peer Specialist

Ellenhorn LLC•Arlington, MA

About The Position

Ellenhorn is a nationally recognized mental health program specializing in the treatment of individuals living with mental illness and co-occurring conditions. Our innovative, recovery-oriented model focuses on helping clients build meaningful, independent lives within their communities. We are a collaborative, interdisciplinary team committed to providing thoughtful, client-centered care in a supportive and mission-driven environment. Position Summary: The Lead Peer Specialist has experience as a recipient of mental health services and is willing to use and share their personal, practical experience, knowledge, and first-hand insight to benefit the team and its clients and families. The Lead Peer Specialist functions as a fully integrated team member to provide expertise about the recovery process, symptom management, and the persistence required by clients to have a satisfying life. They attend daily reports, participate fully in the assessment process, and typically work during the 9-5 hours (similar to the clinical team). The Lead Peer Specialist and Clinical Director can develop a preferred work schedule that could include evenings and a four day work week. The Lead Peer Specialist collaborates to promote a team culture that recognizes, understands, and respects each client’s point of view, experiences, and preferences. They are responsible to maximize client choice, self-determination and decision-making in the planning, delivery and evaluation of treatment, rehabilitation and support services. They provide peer counseling and consultation to individual clients, families, and team staff; act as a liaison with community resources; carry out rehabilitation and support functions; and assist in treatment, substance abuse services, education, support and consultation to families and crisis intervention under the clinical supervision of staff with professional degrees. They serve as a leader of the peer specialist team across all Ellenhorn locations and facilitate weekly supervisions with other peer specialists.

Requirements

College degree in Human Services field, or in another relevant area
Four plus years of experience working with adults with severe and persistent mental illness
Must have good oral and written communication skills
Is or has been a recipient of mental health services for severe and persistent mental illness and has self-knowledge to manage their mental illness and be well along in their recovery
Must have strong commitment to the idea that each person has the right and the ability to live in normal community residences; work in market jobs; and have access to helpful, adequate, competent, and continuous supports and services
Previous supervisory experience or mentorship of individuals providing peer support
Have skills and competence to establish supportive trusting relationships with persons with severe and persistent mental illnesses and respect for the clients’ rights and personal preferences in treatment
Must have a valid driver’s license, dependable automobile, and a clean drivers record (in MA & CA only)

Nice To Haves

WRAP facilitation and peer certification training is desired

Responsibilities

Provide peer counseling, mentoring, and recovery oriented support that empowers clients to take an active role in their wellness journey.
Use shared lived experience to validate clients’ perspectives, promote hope, self-efficacy, and personal responsibility in recovery, and help the treatment team better understand each client’s experiences, challenges, and strengths.
Work collaboratively with the multidisciplinary team to promote client-centered care, ensuring that each client’s voice, preferences, and rights are fully respected throughout the treatment planning and recovery process.
Educate and advocate to address stigma and discrimination related to mental illness, supporting clients in challenging self-stigma while helping the team cultivate an inclusive, empathetic, and recovery-focused culture.
Participate in ongoing assessment and treatment coordination by sharing client insights, monitoring symptoms, and helping identify appropriate adjustments to care plans.
Provide hands-on coaching and assistance to help clients build and maintain daily living skills, including housing stability, personal care, meal planning, budgeting, transportation, and community engagement.
Offer mentorship and practical support to clients pursuing educational or vocational goals, encouraging progress toward meaningful work and community participation.
Strengthen community connections by linking clients with peer-run programs, self-help groups, and consumer advocacy organizations that promote recovery and empowerment.
Lead recovery-focused activities, including WRAP, peer support groups, and supervision sessions for peer specialists, fostering mutual learning and skill development.
Coordinate recovery and educational events, including workshops and guest speaker sessions, to promote awareness and continuous learning among clients and staff.
Maintain timely and accurate documentation, and adhere to all HIPAA and federal privacy regulations to safeguard client confidentiality.