Part-Time Peer Specialist at Mariposa House

The Empowerment Program•Denver, CO

2d•$19 - $24•Onsite

About The Position

The Part-Time Residential Peer Specialist works at Mariposa House, a confidentially located congregate living facility in Denver housing 18–22 women. The Empowerment Program provides health, housing, employment, and education services to women and transwomen affected by criminal justice involvement, recent release from jail or prison, homelessness, HIV/AIDS, mental illness, or drug addiction. The role primarily supports WAGEES participants, participants on the WHP team, and general services participants. Using lived experience with recovery, justice involvement, or mental health stabilization, the Peer Specialist models self-directed recovery and helps maintain a secure, therapeutic residential environment. Responsibilities include enforcing house expectations; monitoring curfews and facility safety; conducting walkthroughs and room checks; supporting household chores; facilitating peer and self-help groups; mentoring participants on recovery goals; helping de-escalate crises and interpersonal conflicts; and supporting community integration and self-advocacy. The role also collaborates with participants, Care Managers, and the treatment team on person-centered recovery and treatment plans, and enters timely, objective DAP progress notes in the agency EHR for Medicaid billing compliance. The position is part-time and non-exempt, scheduled either Sunday–Wednesday or Thursday–Saturday, 5:00 PM–11:30 PM, with occasional coverage shifts available as needed. It reports to the WAGEES Program Manager.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED equivalent.
Personal lived experience with substance recovery, mental health management, or criminal justice system involvement, and a strong commitment to supporting women and transwomen in transition.
Knowledge of the recovery process, mental health symptom management, and standardized problem-solving strategies.
Basic proficiency with Microsoft Office products and comfort learning EHR systems for DAP Medicaid documentation.
Strong written and verbal communication skills, ability to multitask, and a positive, collaborative team-player attitude.
Valid driver's license.
Ability to pass required background checks appropriate for residential and community corrections/transitional environments.
Candidates without a peer certificate must obtain a State of Colorado Peer Specialist Certification, including passing the state exam, within the first six months of employment.

Nice To Haves

State of Colorado Peer Specialist Certification upon hire.

Responsibilities

Enforce house rules and expectations outlined in the participant handbook.
Monitor curfew and communicate deviations to care managers when participants arrive late or do not return to the house at night.
Conduct thorough facility walkthroughs and at least one room check per shift to support participant wellbeing and environmental safety.
Monitor, verify, and assist with residents’ daily chores; complete assigned staff chores such as house laundry and stocking.
Promptly notify the Program Manager about maintenance, safety, or security concerns; email significant events to the housing team and maintain daily shift logs.
Facilitate at least one peer support, skill-building, or self-help mutual support group per month, encouraging participant input and helping participants establish, sustain, and join self-help groups.
Use one-on-one sessions to help participants articulate recovery goals and develop recovery plans using strengths, coping tools, and community resources.
Share personal recovery experiences to model self-directed recovery, effective coping, and respect for each individual’s journey.
Recognize signs and symptoms of mental illness and support participants with grounding strategies and positive self-talk; de-escalate environmental stressors and interpersonal conflicts.
Support participants in building social skills, combating stigma, and practicing self-advocacy through role-playing and modeling.
Collaborate with participants, Care Managers, and the treatment team on person-centered recovery and treatment plans.
Enter timely, objective clinical progress notes in the agency EHR using the DAP format for Medicaid billing compliance.
Document treatment-plan strengths, needs, abilities, recovery goals, interventions, and ongoing progress.