Peer Support Specialist- Mobile Crisis Team KY

River Valley Behavioral Health; Owensboro (KY); On-site; USD 23,000 - 25,000; Full time

Job summary

River Valley Behavioral Health in Owensboro, KY is seeking a Mobile Crisis Peer Support Specialist to provide community-based peer support to individuals in behavioral health crises. Drawing on lived experience, you will engage, de-escalate, and connect clients to ongoing supports while promoting recovery and self-determination.

The role functions within a Mobile Crisis Team, includes on-call periods, and requires a High School diploma or GED along with a valid driver’s license and willingness

Qualifications

• High School diploma or GED is required.
• Past or present consumer of mental health or substance use services with progress toward recovery.
• Experience in service-oriented settings is beneficial but not required.
• Valid driver’s license and ability to travel within the service area.

Responsibilities

• Respond to behavioral health crises within the community as part of Mobile Crisis Team.
• Offer peer support, rapport, empathy, and recovery-oriented engagement in crisis.
• Assist with de-escalation, safety planning, and linkage to ongoing supports.
• Collaborate with clinicians while maintaining the peer role during assessments.
• Develop individualized crisis safety plans and identify practical supports.
• Educate individuals and families about recovery and community resources.
• Complete required documentation accurately and timely per policy.

Skills

Empathy

Active listening

Interpersonal skills

Crisis intervention

Education

High School diploma or GED

Job description

Job DetailsJob Location: Owensboro, KY 42301Position Type: Full TimeEducation Level: High School/GEDSalary Range: $16.82 - $17.82 HourlyTravel Percentage: FrequentJob Shift: Day

Job Summary

The Mobile Crisis Peer Support Specialist provides community-based peer support services to individuals experiencing behavioral health crises. Drawing on lived experience with mental health and/or substance use recovery, this role offers hope, engagement, and support during crisis situations. The Peer Support Specialist works as part of a multidisciplinary Mobile Crisis Team to assist with engagement, de-escalation, safety planning, and connection to ongoing supports, promoting recovery, self-determination, and crisis stabilization.

Essential Functions

• Respond to behavioral health crises in the community as a member of the Mobile Crisis Team, providing peer support services in homes, schools, healthcare facilities, and other community settings.
• Use lived experience to establish rapport, offer empathy, and support individuals in crisis through active listening, validation, and recovery-oriented engagement.
• Assist individuals in identifying strengths, coping strategies, natural supports, and recovery goals during crisis situations.
• Support de-escalation efforts by modeling calm behavior, encouraging self-regulation, and reinforcing grounding and coping techniques.
• Collaborate with clinicians and other multidisciplinary team members to support crisis assessments, safety planning, and stabilization efforts while maintaining the distinct peer role.
• Assist with development and reinforcement of individualized crisis safety plans by helping individuals identify practical strategies and supports.
• Provide education and encouragement to individuals and families regarding recovery, self-advocacy, and available community resources.
• Support linkage to ongoing behavioral health, social service, and community-based resources, including follow-up appointments and support services.
• Maintain appropriate peer boundaries and uphold ethical standards consistent with peer support principles.
• Complete required documentation accurately and timely in accordance with organizational policies and regulatory requirements.
• Participate in team meetings, supervision, training, and continuing education to maintain certification and enhance skills.
• Participate in the Mobile Crisis Team on-call rotation, providing timely peer support response during assigned evenings, weekends, holidays, and other on-call periods as required to support program operations and community needs.
• Perform other duties as assigned, as necessary to support program operations and service delivery.

QualificationsEducation and Experience

• High School diploma or GED
• Past or present consumer of mental health or substance abuse services with a history of sufficient progression toward recovery.
• Awareness of the importance of recovery in living with a mental illness or substance use disorder.
• Past experience working directly with people in a service-oriented field is beneficial but not required.
• Valid driver’s license and ability to travel within the service area

Knowledge and Skills

• Ability to work well with others.
• Ability to interact with various types of people.
• A sound understanding of mental health and/or substance abuse problems and treatments.
• Personal traits that include: patience, tolerance, caring, maturity, and understanding.