Peer Specialist I

Colorado Coalition for the Homeless•Denver, CO

16h•$21 - $25•Onsite

About The Position

The Peer Specialist uses lived experience that includes recovery from substance use, homelessness, and/or effective treatment of mental health conditions to support clients, families, and integrated care teams. The role helps clients overcome obstacles and achieve their goals through a focus on strengths, empowerment, and advocacy. The position provides mentorship, recovery-oriented support, counseling and activities, and assistance navigating healthcare, housing, behavioral health, and other integrated services. It also involves community outreach, client transportation, collaboration with Coalition staff and community partners, and timely documentation in the electronic health record and other required systems. Work is primarily in the community, including client homes and Coalition properties, with travel within the Denver metro area during scheduled shifts. At least 50% of work time is spent in direct client engagement. Hours are generally standard but may require flexibility to meet client needs.

Requirements

Lived experience that includes substance use disorders, homelessness support services, and/or mental health challenges, with prior and/or ongoing recovery activity.
Basic Life Support certification required within 30 days of employment.
Must obtain and maintain a Colorado driver’s license in good standing within 30 days of hire, except for Ft. Lyon and Transitional Housing roles.
Must have access to a reliable vehicle outside the CCH fleet.
Ability to role-model recovery using lived experience.
Understanding of confidentiality protocols and adherence to privacy laws and organizational policies concerning sensitive information.
Ability to engage authentically through active listening, trauma-informed care, and empathy.
Ability to maintain professional boundaries and identify potential conflicts of interest.
Ability to establish trust and rapport, advocate for clients’ needs and rights, and apply inclusive language.
Ability to collaborate with other Coalition Peer Specialists and adhere to state, county, and organizational mandatory-reporting policies and laws.
Ability to use technology to complete work and communicate effectively.
Ability to remain calm, think clearly, and use sound judgment in high-pressure situations.
Ability to move equipment and/or client belongings weighing up to 50 pounds.
Ability to move throughout buildings and community sites and travel within the Denver metro area during scheduled shifts.
Ability to write, type, use telephones, cellphones, and online phone systems, and access and interpret information from computer screens and printed materials.

Nice To Haves

Completion of an accredited Peer Specialist training program.
Bilingual English-Spanish and/or ASL skills.
Prior peer-mentoring experience serving individuals experiencing behavioral health challenges and/or homelessness.

Responsibilities

Mentor and support clients using personal lived experience to build goal-setting and problem-solving skills, emphasizing strengths, resilience, and empowerment.
Facilitate counseling and activities for clients in recovery from substance use disorders in individual or group settings.
Help clients coordinate and navigate healthcare, housing assistance, behavioral health, and other integrated services in partnership with internal teams and community partners.
Transport or escort clients to scheduled appointments at Coalition properties and elsewhere using a CCH vehicle or an approved personal vehicle.
Collaborate with Coalition staff to build trusting client relationships and ensure timely services aligned with individual goals.
Conduct ongoing community outreach to monitor clients’ recovery-oriented needs.
Record clinical and non-clinical services, communications, and tasks accurately and promptly in the EHR and other required systems, maintaining complete, up-to-date charts.
Perform other duties as assigned.