Peer Support Spec 2 - 1746

Central-Counties-Center-For-Mental; Belton (TX); On-site; USD 18,000 - 26,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Life insurance

Paid time off

Paid holidays

Retirement plan with employer match

Employee assistance program

Job summary

Central Counties Services in Texas is seeking a Peer Support Specialist to join our Behavioral Health Division. You will use lived experience to provide recovery-oriented peer support, engage individuals across outreach, stabilization, and sustained recovery, and document services per regulatory standards.

This grant-funded role requires flexibility, on-call duties, and the ability to work days, evenings, nights, weekends.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED required.
• At least one year of lived experience in recovery from mental illness/substance use.
• MHPS and/or RSPS certification, or ability to obtain within one year of hire.
• Ability to educate others, model recovery, and provide hope.

Responsibilities

• Provide recovery-oriented peer support to individuals with mental illness.
• Engage across outreach, stabilization, and sustained recovery.
• Document all services in compliance with standards and regulations.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary team for coordinated care.
• Connect individuals to housing, employment, education, and healthcare resources.

Skills

Lived experience

Recovery education

Communication skills

Team collaboration

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Tools

Documentation skills

Regulatory knowledge

Job description

Minimum Starting Hourly Rate: $16.11Maximum Starting Hourly Rate - Dependent on QualificationsBenefitsHealthDentalVisionLife InsuranceGenerous Paid Time Off - 7.69 hrs. per pay period10 Observed Company Paid Holidays8 Hours Annual Volunteer Time OffRetirement Plan w/ 6% Employer ContributionEmployee Assistance ProgramDue to the nature of Mobile Crisis Outreach Team (MCOT) services, employees must be able to work a flexible schedule to meet operational and client care needs. Work schedules may change with little or no advance notice and may require employees to provide coverage outside of their regularly assigned shift, including on-call responsibilities. Employees may be required to work days, evenings, nights, weekends, holidays, and additional shifts as needed to ensure continuous crisis response services.GENERAL DESCRIPTIONThis is a grant-funded position, and employment is contingent upon continued funding.The Peer Support Specialist (PS) is an active member of a multidisciplinary team and provides recovery-oriented peer support services to individuals with serious and persistent mental illness. Under the supervision of a peer support supervisor, the PS serves as a role model by demonstrating personal recovery and effective coping strategies and acts as a consumer advocate by providing information, support, and encouragement in a non-clinical capacity.The PS uses lived experience to engage individuals across all stages of recovery, including outreach, engagement, stabilization, and sustained recovery. Through peer mentoring and supportive relationships, the PS assists individuals in developing independence, increasing self-sufficiency, and achieving self-directed recovery goals. Services include both face-to-face and non-face-to-face interventions, along with required documentation of all services provided in accordance with regulatory standards.This position supports a variety of programs within the Behavioral Health Division and may provide services across multiple service settings based on organizational needs.ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIESThe Peer Support Specialist provides recovery support services by establishing trusting relationships that promote hope, resilience, and engagement in services. Using lived experience, the position delivers recovery education and supports individuals in developing empowerment and self-advocacy skills through individual and group interactions. The role facilitates skills training focused on coping strategies, problem-solving, wellness management, and reducing negative self-talk, while modeling recovery-oriented behaviors and the effective use of lived experience.The position assists individuals in identifying strengths, setting recovery goals, and developing person-centered recovery plans. It supports individuals in monitoring progress toward goals and encourages self-direction and personal responsibility in the recovery process. Advocacy is promoted by educating individuals about their rights, available services, and recovery resources, and by supporting navigation of behavioral health systems and community-based services.The role connects individuals to community resources, including housing, employment, education, healthcare, and social supports, and may assist with accessing these services as appropriate. It supports community integration and the development of natural support systems that contribute to long-term recovery.As a member of a multidisciplinary team, the position collaborates with clinical and non-clinical staff to support coordinated, person-centered care. Responsibilities include participation in team meetings, supervision, and staffing, as well as communicating relevant observations and updates within the scope of the peer role.The position is responsible for completing timely, accurate, and compliant documentation of all services provided in accordance with Center requirements, Texas Administrative Code, and applicable Medicaid standards, while maintaining confidentiality and adherence to all policies and regulations.Professional responsibilities include the appropriate use of lived experience to inspire hope and model recovery, while maintaining professional boundaries and ethical standards. The role requires professionalism, reliability, and accountability, including regular attendance, dependability, and punctuality.The position recognizes signs of crisis, relapse, or decompensation and responds appropriately within scope, including the use of de-escalation techniques and notification of clinical staff as required. Ongoing responsibilities include maintaining current knowledge of recovery practices and behavioral health trends and completing all required training, certifications, and continuing education to ensure competency.Central Counties Services incorporates principles of trauma-informed care, including cultural sensitivity, in all areas of service delivery. Employees are responsible for learning and implementing trauma-informed practices within their scope of work.GENERAL QUALIFICATIONSExperience/Education/Licensing/CertificationHigh School Diploma or GEDAt least one year of lived experience in recovery from mental illness and/or substance use, with the ability to manage personal wellnessCertified as a Mental Health Peer Specialist (MHPS) and/or Recovery Support Peer Specialist (RSPS), or able to obtain certification within one year of hireAbility to appropriately use lived experience to educate others, model recovery, and provide hopeKnowledge/Skills/AbilitiesKnowledge of the recovery process and peer support principlesUnderstanding of mental health symptoms and appropriate coping strategiesAbility to utilize community resources to support independent livingAbility to facilitate peer support services and skills-building activitiesStrong organizational, time management, and documentation skillsRelationship SkillsAbility to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writingAbility to establish and maintain professional relationships with individuals, staff, and community partnersAbility to work collaboratively as part of a multidisciplinary teamAbility to maintain appropriate professional boundariesAdditional RequirementsMust have and maintain a valid driver’s license with an acceptable driving recordRegular attendance, dependability, and reliability are required to support business operations.Other DutiesThis job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.WORK ENVIRONMENT AND FUNCTIONAL REQUIREMENTSThis position requires the ability to:Sit, stand, and walk for extended periods of time.See, hear, and communicate effectively to perform job duties.Use a computer, telephone, and standard office equipment for prolonged periods.Perform repetitive tasks such as typing, filing, and data entry.Lift and/or move up to 15 pounds.Interact frequently with consumers, staff, and the public in a professional and customer focused manner.Respond appropriately to challenging or unpredictable situations, including safely de-escalating and managing interactions with individuals who may exhibit verbally or physically escalated behavior, in accordance with training and Center policies.Ability to perform the essential functions of the position safely and effectively, including maintaining professionalism, sound judgment, appropriate interpersonal interactions, concentration, and the ability to respond appropriately in stressful or crisis situations, with or without reasonable accommodation.Work in an environment with frequent interruptions and changing priorities.Perform the essential functions of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation, in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).AT-WILL EMPLOYMENT STATEMENTEmployment with Central Counties Services is at-will. This means that either the employee or the Center may terminate the employment relationship at any time, with or without notice, and with or without cause, subject to applicable law. Nothing in this job description or any other policy, procedure, or communication should be construed as creating a contract of employment or altering the at-will nature of employment.EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYERCentral Counties Services is committed to hiring and retaining a diverse workforce. We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer, making decisions without regard to race, color, ethnicity, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by state or federal law.