Youth Peer Support Specialist

Community Counseling Center, Cape Girardeau, MO; Cape Girardeau (MO); On-site; USD 18,661 - 26,578; Full time

Job summary

Community Counseling Center, Cape Girardeau, MO is seeking a Youth Peer Support Specialist to assist young clients aged 13-25 in their recovery from mental health and substance use disorders. This role involves one-on-one support, coaching, and advocacy while empowering youth to build resilience.

The ideal candidate has a high school diploma and identifies as a former consumer of behavioral health services. Responsibilities include facilitating groups and providing documentation that meets agency standards.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma / GED / HSE required.
• Must self-identify as a former/current consumer of mental health services.
• Must have a valid MO Class E Driver's License before starting.

Responsibilities

• Offer one-on-one support and coaching to young clients.
• Guide youth in navigating mental health systems.
• Facilitate community events for youth integration.

Skills

Personal Support and Empowerment

Advocacy and System Navigation

Community Engagement

Role Modeling

Documentation and Compliance

Education

High School Diploma / GED / HSE

Certified Peer Specialist Credential

Job description

Youth Peer Support Specialist

Location: Cape Girardeau, MO (Cape County)

Job Type: Full‑Time, Non‑Exempt (Hourly)

Work Schedule: 8:00a‑4:30p M‑F – Some evenings may be required depending on agency or client need.

Base Pay: $16.42 per hour – pay rate depends on prior experience and credentials.

Job Summary

Community Counseling Center is seeking a committed Youth Peer Support Specialist to assist young clients aged 13‑25 in their recovery from mental health, behavioral health, substance use, or co‑occurring disorders. Drawing from personal lived experience, this role involves providing one‑on‑one support, coaching, advocacy, and group facilitation in emergency, outpatient, or inpatient settings. The specialist will empower youth to navigate systems, build resilience, and achieve community integration while serving as a positive role model.

This is a behavioral health position ideal for individuals with a high school diploma or equivalent, who self‑identify as former or current consumers of behavioral health services, and hold or are eligible for a Certified Peer Specialist Credential (with Youth Peer Specialist eligibility) from the Missouri Credentialing Board.

Minimum Required Qualifications

• High School Diploma / GED / HSE
• Must self‑identify as a former or current consumer of mental health, behavioral health, substance use, or co‑occurring disorder services, and must hold, or be eligible to obtain within 75 days of starting, a valid Certified Peer Specialist Credential from the Missouri Credentialing Board.
• Be eligible to obtain Youth Peer Specialist credential.
• Must hold or obtain by start date a MO Class E Driver's License (Class D for IL Residents) and provide proof of continuous auto insurance. Must also meet CCC's Motor Vehicle Record standards policy and have reliable transportation.

Essential Functions

• Personal Support and Empowerment: Offer one‑on‑one support and coaching to inspire hope, sharing your own recovery journey to help youth build resilience and meet their personal needs and goals.
• Advocacy and System Navigation: Guide young people through traditional systems with a positive attitude, encouraging their active participation in conversations with professionals and advocating for systems change.
• Community Engagement: Facilitate groups and organize community events to promote youth integration, fostering a sense of belonging and encouraging their involvement in local, state, and national decision‑making.
• Role Modeling and Recovery Planning: Share your personal experiences with mental illness or co‑occurring substance use as a role model, helping clients identify warning signs and develop relapse prevention strategies while building self‑care skills like self‑advocacy and coping.
• Team Collaboration and Client Transport: Join clinical team meetings, treatment planning sessions, and psychiatric visits to share the client's perspective, and transport clients using agency or personal vehicles when needed to meet program requirements.
• Documentation and Compliance: Keep detailed records that meet DMH, CARF, and agency standards, ensuring all documentation reflects the support provided to clients.

About Us

Community Counseling Center (CCC) is a trusted provider of behavioral health and wellness services in Southeast Missouri since 1974. As an administrative agent for the Missouri Department of Mental Health, we serve individuals and families across five counties with a full continuum of mental health and substance use services.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Community Counseling Center is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

CCC will consider requests for reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, etc., please contact [e-mail] to speak with us about your needs.