Peer Support Specialist

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 the Archdiocese of St. Louis, Queen of Peace Center, is seeking a Peer Support Specialist to provide recovery mentoring, coaching, and supportive services to individuals experiencing substance use and co-occurring behavioral health disorders. Drawing from lived recovery experience, this role serves as a positive role model while helping individuals identify strengths, develop life skills, build self-advocacy and problem-solving skills, and access resources that support long-term recovery. The Peer Support Specialist partners with individuals to establish recovery goals, navigate treatment and community services, and overcome barriers to recovery through a person-centered, trauma-informed approach. This position works collaboratively with a multidisciplinary treatment team to promote engagement, wellness, relapse prevention, and sustained recovery while maintaining documentation, productivity standards, and compliance with applicable regulations and ethical standards. Some evening and weekend hours are required. Compensation starts at $20.00 per hour, with the opportunity for a higher starting rate based on relevant education, experience, certifications, and qualifications.

Overview and Responsibilities

Recovery Mentoring/Coaching:

• Serve as a role model to consumer in recovery
• Establish and maintain a peer relationship
• Teach life skills
• Assure consumers know their rights and responsibilities
• Teach consumers how to self-advocate

Recovery Support Services:

• Help the consumer identify options to achieve recovery goals
• Help the consumer develop problem solving skills
• Help the consumer access the services of substance use professionals when needed to sustain their recovery
• Help the consumer identify their strengths and how to use those strengths to maintain recovery
• Meet minimum billing and productivity standards
• Some evenings and weekends are required.

Knowledge and Experience Requirements

• Minimum of High School Diploma or GED required.
• Minimum of 2 years in recovery required.
• Peer Support Specialist Certification required or ability to obtain within 6 months of hire
• Current driver’s license required (MO residents require Class E).
• Minimum of 1-year professional experience working in substance use or behavioral health.

Skills and Competencies Required

• Ability to exercise independent clinical judgment while collaborating effectively within a multidisciplinary, patient-centered care team.
• Strong oral and written communication, time management, organizational, leadership, and professional skills.
• Knowledge of substance use disorders, addiction, recovery principles, medication-assisted treatment (MAT), and the use of Naloxone.
• Understanding and application of trauma-informed care, including the impact of trauma on behavior, recovery, and treatment outcomes.
• Ability to recognize, prevent, and respond to crises, unsafe behaviors, and suicide risk using supportive, respectful, and evidence-based interventions.
• Knowledge of behavior management techniques, group facilitation, and therapeutic engagement with individuals and groups.
• Proficiency in medication administration and monitoring, including Medication Administration Records (MAR), urine drug screening (UDS), and obtaining vital signs such as blood pressure.
• Knowledge of client safety procedures, including room and belongings searches, and maintaining a safe treatment environment.
• Commitment to ethical practice, HIPAA compliance, mandated reporting requirements, and adherence to applicable healthcare regulations and standards.
• Demonstrates cultural competence and an understanding of the populations served, including the impact of stigma on addiction, treatment, and recovery.

Resources for Which Accountable

None

Queen of Peace Center does 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 Center is 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, and Covid-19 and Influenza vaccination. Various positions will require physical examination, Tuberculosis screening and Hepatitis A. All offers are contingent upon successful completion of required screening.