Peer Support Specialist - Bismarck (Full-Time)

Native•Bismarck, ND

About The Position

The Peer Support Specialist uses personal lived experience and skills learned in formal peer support training to help clients engage in recovery and wellness. Peer support is grounded in shared understanding, mutual empowerment, hope, health, and wellness, and supports long-term recovery beyond symptom reduction to include self-actualization, community, and overall wellness. The specialist helps clients pursue goals, find resources, build skills, and develop self-empowerment strategies, while providing advocacy, coaching, mentoring, and insight to care teams. The position also helps foster recovery dialogue within the agency, offers perspectives on barriers and wellness, and leads recovery groups. The specialist coordinates services with care coordination staff, community resources, and other providers; conducts client outreach and weekly meetings; assists with housing, employment or income, transportation, basic needs, recovery, and avoiding the criminal justice system; documents services in case notes or program portals; and responds to behavioral health crises. The role serves on a multidisciplinary team and may transport clients to recovery meetings, counseling appointments, or other services. This is a full-time, non-exempt position based in Bismarck, North Dakota, reporting to the CEO. The schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., for 40 hours per week. The listed compensation is $17.00–$20.00 per hour, depending on experience and education (DOE&E), with a 90-day probation period. Flexible scheduling may be needed to meet client needs.

Requirements

Personal lived experience in recovery from a mental health disorder or substance use disorder, with at least one year of recovery.
Provide a personal statement describing the recovery journey, length of time in recovery, and commitment to recovery.
Provide a professional recommendation letter demonstrating commitment to recovery.
Possess a valid driver's license and a good driving record.
Pass a criminal background check; the posting specifies no current or recent criminal charges.
Become state certified in Peer Support Specialist Training.
Maintain confidentiality.
Be detail-oriented and possess strong organizational skills and the capacity to manage multiple clients efficiently.
Demonstrate cultural competency when working with individuals experiencing mental health challenges, addiction, criminal backgrounds, and/or disabilities.
Build professional relationships and work as a team player.
Have knowledge of community resources.
Be legally authorized to work in the United States.

Responsibilities

Use lived experience to inspire hope and a passion for serving others.
Assist clients in achieving their goals and support their engagement in recovery and wellness.
Share resources, build skills, and help clients create strategies for self-empowerment.
Provide advocacy, coaching, and mentoring, and offer whole-health recovery insights to care teams.
Help foster recovery dialogue throughout the agency, share perspectives on barriers and wellness, and lead recovery groups.
Coordinate services with care coordination staff, community resources, and other service providers.
Conduct outreach and meet with clients weekly to assist with housing, employment or income, transportation, basic needs, recovery, and avoiding the criminal justice system.
Submit case notes to care coordinators for Free Through Recovery and enter case notes into the portal for Community Connect.
Help clients navigate essential community resources.
Respond appropriately and promptly to behavioral health crisis situations.
Assist clients in completing goals outlined in their care plans.
Serve as a member of a multidisciplinary team.
Transport clients to recovery-related meetings, counseling appointments, or other services as needed.
Perform other duties and activities as assigned.