CERTIFIED PEER SPECIALIST

Resources for Human Development; New Orleans (LA); On-site; USD 32,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

Apis Services, Inc. seeks a Certified Peer Specialist (CPS) to empower Persons in Recovery through advocacy, education, and recovery coaching. You will promote hope, self‑determination, wellness, and community integration while collaborating with treatment teams, families, and community supports.

The role requires CPS certification, a high school diploma or GED, and experience in mental health recovery. Expect a collaborative environment with emphasis on confidentiality, ethics, and

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED required.
• Certified Peer Specialist (CPS) Certification required.
• Minimum two (2) years of experience supporting individuals in mental health recovery preferred.
• Demonstrated lived experience with recovery and the ability to utilize that experience appropriately in peer support services.
• Must maintain all certification requirements established by applicable state and credentialing entities.
• Must complete a minimum of eighteen (18) continuing education or training credits annually to maintain certification.

Responsibilities

• Provides peer support services to PIRs through advocacy, education, encouragement, and recovery coaching.
• Uses lived experience to foster hope, empowerment, engagement, and self‑determination.
• Assists individuals in developing and pursuing personal recovery goals.
• Supports engagement in treatment and recovery‑oriented services.
• Provides recovery education to individuals, family members, staff, and community partners.
• Assists individuals in developing natural supports and community connections.
• Facilitates and supports peer‑led recovery activities and wellness initiatives.
• Supports person‑centered interventions identified in individual service plans.
• Assists individuals with independent living preparation and skill development.
• Serves as a recovery role model by demonstrating healthy coping strategies and recovery principles.
• Supports individuals in developing social skills and increasing community participation.
• Provides information regarding recovery resources, community programs, and self‑help opportunities.
• Promotes wellness, resilience, and self‑advocacy.
• Assists with orientation and engagement of new program participants.
• Supports recovery planning, goal setting, and wellness management strategies.

Skills

Communication skills

Trust-building

Lived experience

Interpersonal skills

Professional boundaries

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Certified Peer Specialist (CPS) Certification

Tools

Microsoft Office

Electronic Health Records (EHR)

Job description

Certified Peer Specialist (CPS)

The Certified Peer Specialist (CPS) utilizes lived experience in recovery to provide peer support, advocacy, education, and encouragement to Persons in Recovery (PIRs). The CPS empowers individuals to actively participate in their recovery journey by promoting hope, self‑determination, wellness, and community integration. Working collaboratively with treatment teams, families, and community supports, the CPS assists individuals in developing natural supports, improving coping strategies, managing symptoms, and achieving recovery goals. The Certified Peer Specialist serves as a positive role model and demonstrates the organization’s values of respect, recovery, integrity, and person‑centered care.

Responsibilities

• Provides peer support services to PIRs through advocacy, education, encouragement, and recovery coaching.
• Uses lived experience to foster hope, empowerment, engagement, and self‑determination.
• Assists individuals in developing and pursuing personal recovery goals.
• Supports engagement in treatment and recovery‑oriented services.
• Provides recovery education to individuals, family members, staff, and community partners.
• Assists individuals in developing natural supports and community connections.
• Facilitates and supports peer‑led recovery activities and wellness initiatives.
• Supports person‑centered interventions identified in individual service plans.
• Assists individuals with independent living preparation and skill development.
• Serves as a recovery role model by demonstrating healthy coping strategies and recovery principles.
• Supports individuals in developing social skills and increasing community participation.
• Provides information regarding recovery resources, community programs, and self‑help opportunities.
• Promotes wellness, resilience, and self‑advocacy.
• Assists with orientation and engagement of new program participants.
• Supports recovery planning, goal setting, and wellness management strategies.

May Facilitate Groups Such As

• Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP)
• Recovery Support Groups
• Community Meetings
• Symptom Management Groups
• Coping Skills Development Groups
• Peer Support and Wellness Activities
• Documents time worked accurately.
• Performs other duties as assigned by management.

Administrative Responsibilities

• Completes required documentation accurately and within established timeframes.
• Maintains client records and documentation in accordance with agency policies and procedures.
• Ensures service documentation meets quality assurance and regulatory standards.
• Participates in program data collection and quality improvement activities.
• Maintains confidentiality of all client and program information.

Other Responsibilities

• Maintains personal wellness to effectively perform job responsibilities and serve as a positive recovery role model.
• Demonstrates professionalism, ethical conduct, and sound judgment at all times.
• Participates in agency meetings, supervision, and training activities.
• Establishes and maintains positive working relationships with individuals served, families, staff, and community partners.
• Promotes a recovery‑oriented and trauma‑informed culture.
• Participates in ongoing professional development activities.
• Supports individuals in overcoming barriers to recovery and community integration.
• Other duties as needed to support the recovery goals of individuals served.

Job Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED required.
• Certified Peer Specialist (CPS) Certification required.
• Minimum two (2) years of experience supporting individuals in mental health recovery preferred.
• Demonstrated lived experience with recovery and the ability to utilize that experience appropriately in peer support services.
• Must maintain all certification requirements established by applicable state and credentialing entities.
• Must complete a minimum of eighteen (18) continuing education or training credits annually to maintain certification.

Required Skills

• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to establish trust and rapport with individuals served.
• Ability to share lived experience appropriately to inspire hope and recovery.
• Strong interpersonal and relationship‑building skills.
• Effective advocacy and support skills.
• Ability to maintain professional boundaries and ethical standards.
• Strong documentation and record‑keeping abilities.
• Ability to work independently and as part of an interdisciplinary team.
• Critical thinking and problem‑solving skills.
• Ability to work effectively with diverse populations.
• Basic computer proficiency, including Microsoft Office applications and electronic documentation systems.

Job Competencies

• Recovery‑Oriented Support: Uses lived experience and recovery principles to empower individuals and promote personal growth, wellness, and recovery.
• Effective Communication: Communicates clearly, respectfully, and professionally with individuals served, families, staff, and community partners.
• Peer Advocacy: Provides advocacy and support while promoting self‑advocacy, independence, and informed decision‑making.
• Interpersonal Effectiveness: Builds authentic and supportive relationships that foster trust, engagement, and positive recovery outcomes.
• Collaboration & Teamwork: Works effectively with interdisciplinary treatment teams to support coordinated, person‑centered care.
• Wellness Promotion: Encourages healthy coping skills, self‑care, resilience, and personal wellness practices.
• Cultural Competency: Provides services that respect diverse backgrounds, identities, experiences, and perspectives.
• Documentation & Compliance: Maintains accurate, timely, and compliant documentation consistent with agency and regulatory standards.
• Professionalism & Ethics: Maintains confidentiality, professional boundaries, integrity, and ethical conduct in all interactions.
• Adaptability: Demonstrates flexibility in responding to changing individual needs, environments, and program expectations.

Equipment & Machines

• Telephone
• Cellular phone
• Computer
• Copier
• Fax machine
• Printer
• Standard office equipment

Computer Software Applications

• Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint)
• Electronic Health Record (EHR) systems
• Agency‑specific software applications

Physical Demands

• Ability to stand, walk, sit, and move throughout program and community settings.
• Ability to communicate effectively in individual and group settings.
• Ability to use hands and fingers to operate office equipment and technology.
• Ability to reach, bend, stoop, kneel, crouch, and climb stairs when required.
• Ability to push, pull, and lift materials as needed.
• Ability to travel throughout the program and community to support individuals served.

Lifting Requirements

Medium Work

• Exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally.
• Exerting up to 20 pounds of force frequently.
• Exerting up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects.

Working Conditions

• Office and community‑based environments.
• Behavioral health program settings.
• Meetings, trainings, and recovery support environments.
• Community locations and service environments as assigned.

Accident, Health Hazard and Security Knowledge

• Bloodborne Pathogens
• Right‑To‑Know
• HIPAA
• Security Procedures
• Fire and Safety Regulations
• Emergency Preparedness Procedures

General Requirements

• Maintain and abide by OSHA requirements and guidelines.
• Observe all Fire and Safety Policies and Procedures.
• Observe all Personnel Policies and Procedures.
• Observe all Agency Policies and Procedures.
• Observe all HIPAA Policies and maintain confidentiality.
• Attend all required meetings, trainings, and supervision sessions.
• Maintain a professional demeanor and exercise sound judgment in all employment duties.
• Document time worked accurately.
• Remain in good standing with all certification and continuing education requirements.

Drug‑Free Workplace Statement

Apis Services maintains a drug‑free workplace. As a general policy, pre‑employment drug testing is not required for employment with Apis Services.

However, drug and alcohol testing may be required under specific circumstances, including but not limited to:

• Following a work‑related vehicle accident, in accordance with applicable policy and legal requirements.
• Following a workplace incident or injury where post‑incident or workers' compensation drug testing is appropriate or required.
• Certain affiliates may be subject to federal, state, licensing, regulatory, contractual, or funding agency requirements that mandate pre‑employment or ongoing drug testing for specific positions or programs. In those cases, the affiliate‑specific policy will govern those positions.

Schedule Flexibility

Work schedules are subject to change based on business needs. Flexibility in working hours, including evenings, weekends, holidays, and work locations may be required.

About Company (EEO Statement)

Apis Services, Inc. (a wholly owned subsidiary of Inperium, Inc.) provides a progressive platform for delivering Shared Services to Inperium and its constellation of affiliate companies. Apis Services and its affiliates provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, pregnancy, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law. This commitment extends to all phases of employment, including recruitment, hiring, compensation, benefits, promotion, training, and termination.