Peer Support Specialist

BHcare; North Branford (CT); On-site; USD 28,000 - 32,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Paid time off

Holidays

Retirement plan

Job summary

BHcare in Connecticut seeks a Peer Support Specialist to use lived recovery experience to help individuals navigate recovery and access services. This full‑time role is based in the Behavioral Health Home program at the North Branford Adult Clinic.

Candidates must reside in Connecticut and have strong communication, documentation, and boundary‑setting skills to support engagement in treatment and community resources.

Qualifications

• Lived experience with mental health or substance use recovery.
• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Experience with and knowledge of mental health, substance use, and/or co‑occurring disorders.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating with clinicians, medical professionals, law enforcement, and community providers.
• Strong communication and documentation skills.
• Ability to maintain professional boundaries while using lived experience to support recovery.

Responsibilities

• Build supportive peer relationships and help individuals connect with and remain engaged in treatment and recovery services.
• Use appropriate self‑disclosure and personal recovery experience to provide coaching, mentoring, encouragement, and hope.
• Help individuals identify and access emotional, vocational, and social supports based on their goals and preferences.
• Connect individuals with community resources such as transportation, housing, employment, benefits, and recovery support programs, including AA and NA.
• Support individuals transitioning from inpatient settings and help coordinate connections to community‑based services.
• Facilitate recovery‑focused groups and advocate for the needs and preferences of the individuals served.
• Develop positive relationships with community providers and collaborate with clinical, medical, law enforcement, and other community partners.
• Participate as a member of the Clinical and Behavioral Health Home teams.

Skills

Lived experience

Communication skills

Documentation skills

Independent work

Driver’s license

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Job description

At BHcare, a nonprofit organization, we believe everyone deserves the opportunity to live a healthy, safe, and fulfilling life. Every day, our teams provide compassionate care and support to individuals and families across Connecticut through behavioral health, substance use, domestic violence, housing, and community-based services.

We are looking for a Peer Support Specialist who is passionate about using their lived experience to help individuals navigate recovery, build meaningful connections, and access the services and supports they need to thrive.

This is a full-time, 37.5 hour-per-week position in our Behavioral Health Home program in North Branford Adult Clinic.

Candidates must reside in Connecticut to be eligible for this position.

What You Will Do

In this role, you will provide peer outreach, engagement, education, navigation, and recovery support to individuals living with mental health, substance use, or co‑occurring disorders. Through appropriate self‑disclosure, advocacy, mentoring, and connection to resources, you will help individuals remain engaged in treatment and become active participants in their recovery and communities.

• Build supportive peer relationships and help individuals connect with and remain engaged in treatment and recovery services.
• Use appropriate self‑disclosure and personal recovery experience to provide coaching, mentoring, encouragement, and hope.
• Help individuals identify and access emotional, vocational, and social supports based on their goals and preferences.
• Connect individuals with community resources such as transportation, housing, employment, benefits, and recovery support programs, including AA and NA.
• Support individuals transitioning from inpatient settings and help coordinate connections to community‑based services.
• Facilitate recovery‑focused groups and advocate for the needs and preferences of the individuals served.
• Develop positive relationships with community providers and collaborate with clinical, medical, law enforcement, and other community partners.
• Participate as a member of the Clinical and Behavioral Health Home teams.

What You Will Bring

• Lived experience with mental health or substance use recovery.
• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Experience with and knowledge of mental health, substance use, and/or co‑occurring disorders.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively with clinicians, medical professionals, law enforcement, and community providers.
• Strong communication and documentation skills.
• Ability to maintain professional boundaries while using lived experience and appropriate self‑disclosure to support recovery.
• Valid driver’s license, an acceptable driving record, and the ability to remain insurable under the organization’s automobile insurance plan.

Preferred Qualifications

• Recovery Support Specialist training and certification through Advocacy Unlimited.
• Experience providing peer support, recovery coaching, resource navigation, or community‑based behavioral health services.
• Knowledge of local treatment providers, recovery supports, and community resources.

What We Offer

The anticipated salary range for this position is $20.00-$23.50. Actual compensation offered will be determined based on a variety of factors including relevant skills, experience, qualifications, certifications, and internal equity considerations.

BHcare offers a comprehensive benefits program including medical, dental, and vision insurance, paid time off, company‑observed holidays, a retirement savings plan, and other fringe benefits. Benefit eligibility may vary based on position, schedule, and applicable plan or policy requirements.

BHcare is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, ancestry, age, military or veteran status, disability, genetic information, marital or civil union status, or any other protected characteristic under applicable federal, state, or local law