Peer Support Specialist

Archdiocese of St. Louis; St. Louis (MO); On-site; USD 23,000 - 32,000; Full time

Job summary

Queen of Peace Center in St. Louis seeks a Community Support Specialist to join the CCP program with Catholic Charities Archdiocese of St. Louis. The role involves field outreach with DMH in the City of St.

Louis to assist disaster-impacted communities, provide emotional support, and connect people to services. This full-time, grant-funded temporary position runs through February 2027. Starting pay is $20 per hour, with opportunities to gain experience and contribute to our mission while

Qualifications

• Missouri Peer Specialist certification required at time of hire or within 60 days.
• High School Diploma or GED required.
• Previous lived experience with mental health/substance use; in recovery for at least 2 years.
• Must have a personal vehicle and MO driver's license (Class E).
• Must pass drug screen and background check; may require additional verifications.
• Must be at least 21 years old.

Responsibilities

• Follow daily outreach plan provided by DMH or Team Lead.
• Provide outreach, emotional support, and crisis counseling to individuals, families, and groups; offer referrals when needed.
• Represent the program and network with agencies to meet survivors' needs.
• Deliver presentations on disaster reactions, coping skills, stress management, and the disaster response program.
• Meet with Program Management regularly to debrief, discuss cases, and ensure proper form completion.

Skills

Crisis counseling

Outreach

Public education

Referrals

Education

Missouri Peer Specialist certification

High School Diploma or GED

Job description

Since its founding in 1985, Queen of Peace Center (QOPC) has been providing family-centered behavioral healthcare for women, children, and families. As a member of the Federation of Catholic Charities, we serve the metropolitan and surrounding St. Louis area through four core programs: prevention, education, treatment, and housing.

Job Summary

Catholic Charities of St. Louis, Queen of Peace Center, is seeking a Community Support Specialist. The Community Support Specialist, as part of the CCP program with Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of St. Louis, Queen of Peace Center, will work on a community collaboration with Department of Mental Health (DMH) and other agencies in the City of St. Louis to perform field outreach to impacted communities of disaster, including the May 2025 tornado. Responsible to provide service delivery in community, complete data entry requirements, and manage service line-specific tasks and responsibilities. This is a full-timegrant funded temporary position that ends in Feb. 2027. This short-term assignment offers an opportunity to gain valuable experience, expand your skills, and contribute to our mission. Employees in good standing who meet the minimum qualifications are welcome to apply for future openings; however, continued employment beyond the temporary assignment is not guaranteed.

Starting pay for this role is $20 per hour.

• Follow daily outreach schedule/plan as provided by DMH or Team Lead
• Works with individuals, families, and groups to provide outreach, emotional support, individual and group crisis counseling, public education, and referrals when needed.
• Represents the program and networks with other agencies and partners to ensure needs of survivors are met.
• Provides presentations for community groups on disaster reactions, coping skills, stress management, and the disaster response program when requested.
• Meet with Program Management regularly to debrief from on-call shifts, discuss cases and engagement strategies, and ensure proper form completion.

KNOWLEDGE & EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

• Must possess Missouri Peer Specialist certification at time of hire or within 60 days of hire.
• High School Graduate or General Education Degree (GED) required.
• Previous lived experience with mental health/substance use. Must be in recovery for a minimum of 2 full years.
• Must have personal vehicle, valid driver’s license (MO residents require Class E), and auto insurance.
• Must be able to pass a drug screen and background check or request an exception to the findings.
• Must be at least 21 years of age.

Queen of Peace Centerdoes not discriminate on the basis of handicapped status in the admission or access to, or treatment or employment in, its federally assisted programs and activities. Queen of Peace Centeris an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, or disability.

Pre-Employment Screening All candidates receiving an employment offer must submit a pre-employment screening. The screenings will include criminal background check and other background checks (as needed), Family Care Safety Registration, drug screen, an employment and education or licensure/certification verification. Various positions will require physical examination, Tuberculosis screening and Hepatitis A. All offers are contingent upon successful completion of required screening.

Our Mission

To bring the healing, help, and hope of Jesus Christ to those in need with a compassionate, caring presence.

Providing family-centered care for women with substance-use disorders, their families, and at-risk youth through treatment, prevention and education, and housing.

As a part of the Catholic Charitiesfamily, you’ll have the resources to care for those closest to you. Options include generous parental leave policies, flexible working arrangements, group life insurance, permanent health insurance, and dedicated support to help you find the right child care or elder care.