Certified Peer Specialist – Assertive Community Treatment (ACT)

Kahak DC; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 40,000 - 55,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Ongoing peer support training

Supportive work culture

Job summary

Kahak DC is seeking a Certified Peer Specialist (CPS) for the Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) team serving adults with serious mental illness in Washington, D.C. The role involves providing peer support, advocacy, and facilitating recovery goals for clients.

The ideal candidate will have a CPS credential, experience with behavioral health challenges, and strong interpersonal skills. Benefits include competitive salary and ongoing training.

Qualifications

• Certified Peer Specialist (CPS) credential required.
• Personal lived experience with mental health condition or substance use disorder.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Function as an essential team member providing peer recovery support.
• Assist clients in setting and achieving recovery goals.
• Facilitate peer recovery groups and outreach efforts.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Communication skills

Collaboration skills

Education

High school diploma or equivalent (GED)

Tools

Driver’s license

Job description

About the Role

We are hiring a Certified Peer Specialist (CPS) to join our Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) team serving adults with serious mental illness (SMI) in Washington, D.C. As required under 22-A DCMR §3426(f), the CPS serves as a fully integrated team member providing peer recovery support, advocacy, and empowerment-based services within a multidisciplinary treatment model.

The ACT team delivers intensive, person-centered behavioral health services in the community—including homes, shelters, and other natural settings—to help individuals remain stable, independent, and connected.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as a full-time, essential team member of the ACT team, working alongside clinicians, nurses, substance use specialists, and vocational staff.
• Use lived experience with mental health and/or substance use recovery to build rapport, trust, and hope with individuals facing serious behavioral health challenges.
• Assist clients in developing self-identified recovery goals and support them in working toward greater independence and community integration.
• Offer peer-led recovery coaching, skill-building, and emotional support based on mutual understanding and shared lived experience.
• Facilitate or co-facilitate peer recovery groups, wellness activities, and recovery education.
• Accompany clients to medical, housing, or benefit-related appointments, and assist in navigating systems such as DBH, SSA, or Medicaid.
• Engage clients through community-based outreach, especially those who are disengaged from services or in crisis.
• Document all services according to agency and DBH requirements.
• Uphold the values of trauma-informed, culturally competent, person-centered care.

Qualifications

Required:

• Certified Peer Specialist (CPS) credential issued or approved by the C. Department of Behavioral Health (DBH).
• Personal lived experience with recovery from a mental health condition and/or substance use disorder.
• High school diploma or equivalent (GED).
• Must meet staffing standards outlined in C. Municipal Regulation §3426(f) for ACT teams.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and collaboration skills.
• Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation (field work is required).

Preferred:

• Experience working on a multidisciplinary team or in a mobile/community-based mental health setting.
• Familiarity with D.C.’s behavioral health system, housing, benefits, and harm reduction services.
• Bilingual (Spanish, Amharic, ASL, or other languages) is a plus.

Benefits

• Competitive salary based on experience.
• Ongoing peer support training and supervision.
• Supportive, team-oriented work culture.

Work Schedule

• Full-time
• Flexibility
• Majority of services are delivered in community settings (not office-based).