Peer Support Specialist I

National Church Residences•Columbus, OH

13d

About The Position

The Peer Support Specialist provides recovery-oriented peer support services to individuals and families enrolled in National Church Residences' Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) programs. Drawing on lived experience with mental health, substance use, homelessness, or another qualifying experience, the specialist promotes hope, recovery, housing stability, self-advocacy, and community integration through mutual support, mentoring, and shared lived experience. Services follow Housing First, trauma-informed, person-centered, strengths-based, and recovery-oriented practices. The specialist works collaboratively with the Community Engagement Manager, Case Managers, Housing Stabilization, Clinical Services, Medical Home, Property Management, and community partners to help residents pursue personal recovery goals and maintain permanent housing. The role includes individual and group support, resident programming, care coordination, documentation, and compliance with agency, funding, and regulatory requirements. At least 50% of worked hours must be spent providing direct resident services. Some travel is required, up to 49%.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Current Ohio Certified Peer Recovery Supporter certification, or ability to obtain certification within the required timeframe.
Lived experience with mental health recovery, substance use recovery, homelessness, or another qualifying experience recognized under Ohio Peer Recovery Supporter standards.
Experience providing peer support, mentoring, advocacy, or recovery support services.
Excellent communication, comprehension, and interpersonal skills; ability to speak, read, write, and understand English and make oneself understood.
Knowledge of recovery-oriented, trauma-informed, and person-centered practices.
Knowledge of WHAM, WRAP, motivational interviewing, and community resources.
Knowledge of resident engagement, peer support, employment readiness, life skills development, and community integration principles.
Strong communication, interpersonal, and relationship-building skills for engaging residents, community partners, and multidisciplinary team members.
Strong facilitation and group engagement skills, including planning and delivering workshops, support groups, educational sessions, and resident activities.
Strong organizational, time-management, and documentation skills, including the ability to manage priorities, maintain accurate records, and meet deadlines.
Ability to engage and motivate residents in programs and services that support recovery, independence, employment, community involvement, and housing stability.
Ability to apply culturally responsive, strengths-based, trauma-informed, and resident-centered practices with diverse populations.
Ability to collaborate with interdisciplinary teams, service providers, employers, and community partners to support resident goals and outcomes.
Ability to maintain professional boundaries, confidentiality, and ethical standards.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office and other technology platforms, and ability to learn new software systems.
Ability to exercise sound judgment, maintain confidentiality, work independently, and demonstrate professionalism.
Valid driver's license.

Nice To Haves

Associate's degree in Human Services, Behavioral Health, Social Work, or a related field.
Experience working in Permanent Supportive Housing, Housing First programs, behavioral health, homelessness services, or community-based human services.
Experience facilitating peer support groups, recovery groups, educational workshops, or life skills programming.

Responsibilities

Provide individual and group peer support that promotes recovery, housing stability, wellness, self-advocacy, and community integration.
Collaborate with Case Managers and the Community Engagement Manager to support individualized recovery goals and service plans.
Help residents identify strengths and establish recovery, wellness, employment, and independent-living goals.
Use recovery tools such as Whole Health Action Management (WHAM) and Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP) to support individualized wellness and recovery planning.
Follow up with residents to monitor progress, encourage them, reinforce recovery skills, and address barriers to housing stability.
Teach and model self-advocacy, coping, problem-solving, communication, and decision-making skills.
Help residents develop Activities of Daily Living, including budgeting, meal planning, cooking, housekeeping, shopping, personal hygiene, medication organization, and use of community resources.
Facilitate peer-led support and recovery groups, wellness activities, educational workshops, and life skills classes.
Encourage participation in workshops, employment services, volunteer opportunities, Resident Councils, community events, and recreational activities.
Collaborate with Community Engagement Specialists on resident programming and meaningful engagement opportunities.
Assist with community events, resident celebrations, volunteer projects, and other activities that strengthen connections and reduce social isolation.
Transport or accompany residents to community activities, appointments, educational programs, recovery meetings, employment opportunities, and other off-site activities as needed.
Coordinate with Case Managers, Community Engagement Specialists, Housing Stabilization Specialists, Clinical Services, Medical Home, Property Management, and community providers.
Participate in interdisciplinary team meetings, case consultations, supervision, and care coordination.
Identify residents who may benefit from additional services and communicate concerns to appropriate team members.
Advocate for resident voice, self-determination, and recovery-oriented practices.
Document resident encounters, services, assessments, referrals, group activities, and service contacts in electronic health records, service logs, and other required systems.
Collect and maintain accurate program data and resident files in accordance with funder, regulatory, agency, and confidentiality requirements.
Deliver services in accordance with Housing First principles, Ohio Peer Recovery Supporter standards, HIPAA, organizational policies, and applicable regulations.
Complete required onboarding, mandatory training, continuing education, and Peer Recovery Support certification requirements.
Meet program productivity expectations and submit accurate, timely documentation for billable and non-billable services each week.
Provide direct resident services for at least 50% of worked hours.
Participate in supervision, staff meetings, and quality improvement initiatives.
Follow organizational policies, the Employee Information Guide, the Code of Conduct, facility handbooks, and applicable laws and regulations.
Respect resident rights and dignity; report complaints and allegations of abuse, misappropriation, or other compliance concerns to appropriate supervisors.
Complete annual education requirements, including compliance, privacy, security, and HIPAA training.
Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

Medical and prescription coverage with three plan options and a nationwide provider network.
Healthcare Flexible Spending Account or employer-funded Health Savings Account.
Fertility and family-building support, weight management, and chronic condition support.
Paid parental leave at 100% for four weeks.
Dental and vision coverage for employees and their families.
Company-provided life and accidental death and dismemberment insurance and disability coverage.
Voluntary life and accidental death and dismemberment insurance, accident insurance, hospital indemnity, critical illness, and pet coverage.
Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account with company match, and Transportation and Parking Flexible Spending Accounts.
Enhanced Employee Assistance Program with mental health and work-life support, tobacco cessation, and Well-Being Your Way rewards and reimbursements up to $1,000 per year.
Retirement program with immediate company funding at 3%, increasing up to 5% over time, plus an additional company match up to 5% when the employee contributes.
Tuition expense reimbursement.
Paid time off and nine paid holidays.