Peer Support Specialist - Emergency Services

NORTHWESTERN COUNSELING & SUPPORT SERVICES INC • St. Albans, VT

1d • $18 - $20 • Onsite

About The Position

Northwestern Counseling & Support Services (NCSS) is seeking an empathetic, grounded, and community-minded Peer Support Specialist to join our Emergency Services Team. This role is built on the power of lived experience and the belief that genuine connection can be transformative for individuals navigating moments of crisis, trauma, or acute stress. As a Peer Support Specialist, you will use your own lived experience to build trust, reduce stigma, and offer meaningful emotional support to individuals in crisis. You’ll listen deeply, share your story appropriately, and provide reassurance and stability when people need it most. Your work will include offering immediate support during and after crises, helping individuals identify strengths, set personal wellness and recovery goals, and develop coping strategies that feel achievable and empowering. A key part of the role involves helping people navigate the complex systems that often intersect during challenging times, whether that’s mental health, financial, legal, or community resources. You’ll stay engaged with individuals after traumatic events, encourage connection with available supports, and advocate to ensure their needs and concerns are heard. You will also maintain clear and confidential documentation and collaborate closely with supervisors, treatment teams, crisis responders, law enforcement, and community partners to ensure a coordinated and compassionate response. The ideal candidate brings personal experience that reflects the challenges commonly faced in emergency or crisis situations, particularly related to mental health or trauma. Strong interpersonal skills, empathy, and the ability to remain calm and exercise sound judgment during high-stress encounters are essential. You should be comfortable working as part of a multidisciplinary team, maintaining professional boundaries, and managing your time and documentation effectively. This position is a meaningful opportunity to help others feel seen, supported, and safe—while working with a team dedicated to high-quality, person-centered emergency services. If you are passionate about using your lived experience to make a difference during some of the most difficult moments in a person’s life, we encourage you to apply.

Requirements

• High School Diploma or equivalent
• Relevant lived experience
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Empathy
• Ability to remain calm and exercise sound judgment during high-stress encounters
• Comfortable working as part of a multidisciplinary team
• Ability to maintain professional boundaries
• Ability to manage time and documentation effectively

Nice To Haves

• Associates or Bachelors Degree

Responsibilities

• Offer immediate support during and after crises.
• Help individuals identify strengths, set personal wellness and recovery goals, and develop coping strategies.
• Help people navigate complex systems (mental health, financial, legal, community resources).
• Stay engaged with individuals after traumatic events.
• Encourage connection with available supports.
• Advocate to ensure needs and concerns are heard.
• Maintain clear and confidential documentation.
• Collaborate with supervisors, treatment teams, crisis responders, law enforcement, and community partners.

Benefits

• Medical coverage
• Dental coverage
• Employer-matched retirement plan
• Educational support
• $5,000 in student loan forgiveness upon successful completion of 6-month introductory period (for those who qualify)

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Part-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED