PEER SPECIALIST

Fairbanks Native Association; Fairbanks (AK); On-site; USD 40,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A community support organization in Fairbanks seeks a Peer Specialist to provide mentorship, peer counseling, and recovery navigation services. The role requires providing culturally appropriate support, facilitating Talking Circles for different groups, and overseeing community services. Candidates should have a high school diploma and experience with the Alaska Native population. This position emphasizes traditional values and the importance of community in promoting recovery from substance use disorders.

Qualifications

• One year’s experience working with AN/AI population and experience providing culturally specific services.
• Lived experience as a caregiver of a child who has experienced a mental health episode.
• Ability to complete Traditional Peer Support Training within one year.

Responsibilities

• Facilitates Talking Circles using evidence-based family training.
• Oversees community services activities.
• Provides linkage to housing and/or recovery housing.
• Attends all required staff meetings.
• Maintains consumer confidentiality in accordance with regulations.

Skills

Mentorship

Crisis response

Peer counseling

Community service linkage

Culturally specific service provision

Data entry

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Peer Support certification

Associates’ degree in behavioral health

Job description

The goal of the Healing & Recovery Through Culture program (Recovery Community Services) project is to provide the recovery support services necessary for long‑term recovery from substance use disorder by integrating Athabascan values, evidence‑based services, and instruction on American Indian and Alaskan Native (AI/AN) arts. The Recovery Center provides instruction in Alaska Native Arts, Life Skills Training, Employment Training, Family‑Parent Training, and Recovery Support through Elder Guidance and Community Services.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Peer Specialist will provide mentorship, peer counseling, crisis response, and recovery navigation services for project participants and their families under a Recovery Community Services Grant that centers Alaska Native and American Indian values. Grounded in the Athabascan Recovery Model, this position supports individuals from intake through sustained recovery, integrating traditional values such as love for children, strong family relationships, self‑sufficiency, care and provisioning for family, the practice of Native traditions, respect for elders and lived wisdom, and spirituality, and community sharing and caring.

As part of a collaborative treatment team, the Peer Specialist will serve as a liaison between participants, families, and clinical staff to ensure culturally resonant behavioral health care. Duties include providing mentorship through lived experience, helping participants develop coping skills, strengthening family stability, and connecting individuals and families with community‑based services. The Peer Specialist promotes recovery and wellness through a culturally grounded, relational approach that honors Alaska Native and Native American traditions and healing practices.

JOB DUTIES

• Facilitates Talking Circles using evidence‑based family training in traditional ways aligning with treatment schedule. Groups are youth, adults, and family members.
• Oversees community services activities.
• Shares lived experience with consumers and families.
• Shares experience with navigating mental health system.
• Provides consumers with recovery support in the Recovery Center.
• Provides linkage to housing and/or recovery housing.
• Provides trauma‑informed care and care navigation to culturally specific services.
• Supports consumers during their treatment experience providing positive feedback and hope.
• Ensures adherence to data collection requirements and enters accurate and timely data into the Electronic Health Record (EHR).
• Develops billing records.
• Oversees safety and security of consumers in Recovery Center.
• Attends mandatory position training that provides training in risk factors as designated by Project Manager and/or Clinical Supervisor.
• Maintains consumer confidentiality in accordance with 42 CFR Part 2 and HIPAA.
• Attends all required staff meetings.
• Performs other job‑related duties as assigned.

GRANT SUMMARY

The goal of the Healing & Recovery Through Culture program (Recovery Community Services) project is to provide the recovery support services necessary for long‑term recovery from substance use disorder by integrating Athabascan values, evidence‑based services, and instruction on American Indian and Alaskan Native (AI/AN) arts. The Recovery Center provides instruction in Alaska Native Arts, Life Skills Training, Employment Training, Family‑Parent Training, and Recovery Support through Elder Guidance and Community Services.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS (Education & Experience)

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• One (1) year’s experience working with AN/AI population and experience providing culturally specific services.
• Lived experience as a caregiver of a child who has experienced a mental health episode.
• One year’s experience working in the mental health field.
• Ability to complete Traditional Peer Support Training within one year and then seek State of Alaska Peer Support Specialist Certification.
• A combination of experience, education, and training that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities may substitute for degree requirements.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS (Education & Experience)

• Peer Support certification.
• Associates’ degree in behavioral health, human services, or related field.
• Experience working with adults 18+ who experience SUD and/or MI.

Notice: All employment at the Fairbanks Native Association (FNA) is “at will.” This means the employee or FNA may terminate employment at any time and for any reason. Unless specified in writing, no duration of employment is expressed or implied for this position. Your signature indicates that you have read this Job Description and understand the essential functions of and qualifications for the job.