Peer Specialist II - Watkins, CO

Colorado Coalition for the Homeless•Watkins, CO

88d•$26 - $26•Onsite

About The Position

The Peer Specialist II 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. As a certified Colorado Peer and Family Specialist, the employee helps clients address challenges, overcome obstacles, and work toward their goals through strengths-based support, empowerment, and advocacy. The role includes mentoring clients, facilitating recovery-focused counseling and activities, helping clients navigate healthcare, housing, and behavioral health services, and coordinating with Coalition staff and community partners. The position is based at Sage Ridge in Watkins, Colorado, with at least 50% of work time in direct client engagement. Work hours are either Tuesday through Saturday or Sunday through Thursday, from 3:00 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.

Requirements

Current Colorado Peer and Family Specialist certification through the Colorado Providers Association (COPA).
Basic Life Support certification within 30 days of employment.
Prior and/or ongoing recovery activity and lived experience that includes substance use disorders, homelessness support services, and/or mental health challenges.
Access to a reliable vehicle outside of the CCH fleet.
Colorado driver’s license maintained 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 using active listening, trauma-informed care, and empathy.
Ability to maintain professional boundaries and identify potential conflicts of interest.
Ability to build trust and rapport, including in challenging or sensitive situations.
Ability to advocate for clients’ and families’ needs and rights and support access to identified services and resources.
Awareness of and willingness to learn and apply inclusive language that respects diverse identities, backgrounds, and experiences.
Ability to collaborate with other Coalition Peer Specialists across departments.
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 exercise sound judgment in high-pressure situations.
Ability to perform essential job functions with or without reasonable accommodation and without posing a direct threat to health or safety.

Nice To Haves

Prior peer mentoring experience serving individuals experiencing behavioral health challenges and/or homelessness.
Bilingual English-Spanish and/or American Sign Language (ASL).

Responsibilities

Mentor and support clients through 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.
Help clients coordinate and navigate healthcare, housing assistance, and behavioral health services in partnership with internal teams and outside community partners.
Transport or escort clients to scheduled appointments at Coalition properties and elsewhere as needed.
Collaborate with Coalition staff to foster trusting client relationships and ensure services are timely and 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 and current charts.
Perform other job duties as assigned.