Certified Peer Specialist

Job Description

Job Description

Description:

We are seeking a dedicated and compassionate Certified Peer Specialist (CPS) to join our growing team. In this role, you will use your lived experience to provide peer support, encouragement, and advocacy to individuals in recovery. The CPS collaborates with a multidisciplinary team to promote engagement, hope, and self-directed recovery while maintaining timely and accurate documentation. The ideal candidate is reliable, empathetic, and person-centered, with strong communication skills and the ability to thrive in a fast-paced, recovery-oriented environment.

Part-Time | Available In the Philadelphia, PA 19134 Area

Salary:

$17.00/HR

Scheduled:

Monday-Friday 9:00AM-2:00PM

Job Summary

The Certified Peer Specialist (CPS) uses lived experience of recovery from mental health and/or substance use challenges to support individuals in their recovery journeys. The CPS provides peer support, advocacy, education, and skill-building services that promote self-determination, wellness, and community integration. This role is an integral member of the interdisciplinary treatment team and models recovery-oriented, trauma-informed, and person-centered practices.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide one-on-one and group peer support based on shared lived experience
• Support individuals in identifying recovery goals and developing self-directed recovery plans
• Model hope, resilience, and recovery-oriented behaviors
• Facilitate peer-led groups focused on wellness, self-advocacy, coping skills, and life skills
• Assist individuals in navigating mental health, substance use, and social service systems
• Promote engagement in community resources, peer-run programs, and self-help groups
• Support individuals in building natural supports and strengthening social connections
• Collaborate with clinical staff and participate in interdisciplinary team meetings
• Advocate for individuals’ rights, preferences, and recovery goals
• Maintain appropriate boundaries and adhere to peer support ethics
• Complete required documentation in a timely and accurate manner
• Participate in supervision, training, and quality improvement activities
• Comply with all organizational policies, procedures, and confidentiality requirements
• Assist in development and implementation of educational and support groups, activities deemed beneficial by the program community, e.g., warm line, calendar of events, etc.
• Introduce and link individuals to community resources and peer supports outside of the facility to promote community integration, e.g., public transportation training, computer educational/G.E.D. classes, vocational services, (OVR, job training), health and wellness, banking, and financial entitlements, etc.
• Actively participate in team meetings and promote a recovery perspective as a key component of all discussions

Employees are eligible for generous benefit options including but not limited to:

Full-time and Part-time employees enjoy a comprehensive benefits package including medical, vision, and dental insurance, life and disability coverage, a 403(b) retirement plan, paid time off, tuition reimbursement, an employee assistance program, and additional voluntary options such as disability, accident, and pet insurance.

Certified Peer Specialist Job Requirements:

• High School Diploma or GED with 2-year experience in human services which 1 year of mental health direct care service. OR
• Certified Peer Specialist (CPS) Certificate and 1 additional year paid or volunteer work experience in mental health direct service.
• Certified Peer Specialist (CPS) Certificate is required.
• Experience working in mental health, substance use, or community-based programs
• Knowledge of recovery-oriented, trauma-informed, and culturally responsive care
• Familiarity with WRAP, motivational interviewing, or peer-led practices
• Bilingual proficiency in English and Spanish, with strong reading and writing skills, is preferred not required

About COMHAR:

COMHAR is a nonprofit human-services organization dedicated to empowering individuals, families, and communities to live healthier, self-determined lives. Our mission is: “To provide health and human services that empower individuals, families and communities to live healthier, self-determined lives.” Serving the Philadelphia region since 1975, COMHAR provides a wide continuum of behavioral health, intellectual and developmental disability, substance use, and social support services. With programs that include outpatient treatment, residential services, community-based recovery centers, supportive housing, and specialized services for children, families, and diverse populations, COMHAR delivers person-centered care rooted in dignity, respect, and community integration. Today, COMHAR’s team supports more than 5,500 people each month, helping individuals build stability, independence, and meaningful connections in their communities. COMHAR strictly follows a zero-tolerance policy for abuse.

COMHAR is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We maintain a drug-free workplace. COMHAR, Inc. is a not-for-profit community-based health and human service organization founded in 1975. We do not discriminate in services or employment on the basis of race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, past or present receipt of disability-related services or supports, marital status, veteran status, or any other class of persons protected by federal, state or local law.