Peer Specialist I

Colorado Coalition for the Homeless•Watkins, CO

42d•$25 - $25

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 provide insight and first-hand support to clients, families, and integrated teams. The role supports clients facing various challenges as they work to overcome obstacles and achieve their goals, emphasizing strengths, empowerment, and advocacy. The position includes mentoring and supporting clients, facilitating recovery-focused counseling and activities, coordinating access to integrated services, and conducting community outreach. The Peer Specialist works collaboratively with Coalition staff and community partners, documents services and communications in the EHR and other systems, and transports or escorts clients to appointments as needed. Work is primarily in the community, including client homes and CCH properties, with travel throughout 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. The role involves frequent interactions in diverse settings, exposure to challenging environmental conditions and direct or vicarious trauma, and approximately 8–10 hours per week using a computer.

Requirements

Lived experience including 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.
Ability to role-model recovery using lived experience.
Understanding of confidentiality protocols and adherence to privacy laws and organizational policies regarding 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, including in challenging or sensitive situations.
Ability to advocate for clients' and families' needs and rights to access services, resources, and support systems they identify.
Awareness of and willingness to learn and use inclusive language that respects diverse identities, backgrounds, and experiences.
Ability to collaborate across departments with other Coalition Peer Specialists.
Adherence to state, county, and organizational policies and laws regarding mandatory reporting.
Ability to use technology effectively to complete work.
Effective communication skills.
Ability to remain calm, think clearly, and apply sound judgment in high-pressure situations.
Ability to move throughout buildings and community sites and move equipment and/or client belongings weighing up to 50 pounds.
Ability to write, type, use telephones, cellphones, and online phones, and access and interpret information from computer screens and printed materials.
Ability to perform essential functions with or without reasonable accommodation and without posing a direct threat to the health or safety of oneself or others.

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, helping them build goal-setting and problem-solving skills with an emphasis on strengths, resilience, and empowerment.
Facilitate counseling and activities for clients recovering from substance use disorders in individual or group settings to promote connection and agency.
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 as needed, using a CCH vehicle or an approved personal vehicle.
Collaborate with Coalition staff to build trusting relationships and ensure timely services aligned with individual client 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; maintain complete, up-to-date charts and follow directions for future system upgrades.
Perform other job duties as assigned.