Peer Support Specialist I

Job Description

Job Description

POSITION SUMMARY 

This position is responsible for providing direct peer support to individuals and families who are unhoused or recently housed across all Catholic Social Services (CSS) shelters, including family shelters, individual emergency shelters, and transitional programs. The Peer Support Specialist offers both one-on-one support and facilitates groups that build coping skills, emotional well‑being, and community connection. Using a strength-based, trauma‑informed approach, the specialist draws on lived experience to foster resilience and support participants’ self‑identified goals while providing billable services.

We are committed to fostering professional growth by offering a Peer Support Specialist Career Development Pathway . CSS provides the training and support needed for peer support specialists to develop their skills, earn certifications, and promote through the career pathway from Peer Support Specialist I to IV.

Peer Support Specialists may be hired as Level 1 or Level 3 depending on qualifications.  

Peer Support Specialist I (Entry-level)

• Education : High School Diploma or GED
• Experience : 1 year in a direct service role
• Promotion : After one (1) year as a CSS Peer Support Specialist I and completion of the Peer Support Certification, team members are eligible for promotion to Peer Support Specialist II.

Peer Support Specialist III (Experienced-level)

• Education : Bachelor’s degree in social work, human services, counseling, or related fields (or 4 years of applicable experience)
• Training : Advanced Peer Support Certification II obtained
• Promotion : After 2 years a CSS Peer Support Specialist III, team members are eligible for promotion to Peer Support Specialist IV.

Ready to grow your career with us? Apply now!

ABOUT US 

CSS is a Catholic human and social services agency and behavioral health care provider that welcomes people of all faiths through its programs and employment. We provide help for our Alaskan neighbors through a variety of supportive service programs, including emergency shelter, food stability, housing, case management, and refugee assistance. CSS empowers individuals and families on their path to permanent stability, creating thriving communities for all. Located in Anchorage, Alaska, CSS is a nationally accredited organization through the Council on Accreditation (COA), which recognizes that CSS provides high quality services that meet best practice standards in the social service field.  

Mission:  To promote the physical, spiritual and mental welfare of persons in need in the community. This mission is achieved by:

• Offering charitable assistance to those in need, especially persons who are poor.
• Developing and conducting programs to strengthen and support families and the dignity of the human spirit.
• Administering the Corporal Works of Mercy and Gospel of Jesus Christ as defined by the magisterium of the Roman Catholic Church and envisioned by the traditional concepts of Catholic Social Teaching and Action through the laity.
• And advocating for social justice for the common good of all.

ABOUT OUR PROGRAM/DEPARTMENT

CSS shelters provide emergency and transitional support to individuals and families experiencing homelessness. Our shelter programs include:

• Clare House – shelter for women and children.
• Complex Care Shelter – medically supported environment for individuals who are medically fragile.
• Brother Francis Shelter – low‑barrier co‑ed shelter for adults.

This position functions within the Behavioral Health Department , which includes Case Managers, Clinicians, Peer Support Specialists, and Youth Enrichment staff. The team works together to provide participant‑centered, trauma‑informed support. Services focus on supporting participants’ stability and wellbeing. Peer Support Specialists contribute by fostering hope, building connection, and helping participants strengthen the skills needed to move toward long‑term housing and personal recovery.

REQUIRED COMPETENCIES

Accountability: Takes ownership for delivering on commitments; accepts responsibility for mistakes and uses them as opportunities for learning and development; openly discusses his/her actions and their consequences both good and bad; has an ability to identify strengths and developmental opportunities and leverages insight to adjust to improve their effectiveness; courage to have difficult conversations.

Initiative: Ability to identify the need for change and take steps to begin and follow through with plans to make the change. 

Innovation: Brings about new ideas, methods, products, services, or solutions that have a significant positive impact and value. Transforms creative concepts into tangible outcomes that improve efficiency, and effectiveness, or address unmet needs.

Adapting to Change: Accepts and adapts to change in a professionally appropriate and thoughtful manner. Is willing to offer a different perspective or approach and yet knows when and how to stand down graciously and accept a well-thought-out decision. Embraces change.

Confidentiality: Maintains the highest level of confidentiality regarding CSS’s records and information. Appropriately uses internal confidential information for business purposes only. 

Communicating Effectively: Shares information openly, listens actively, and involves others in discussions. Clearly conveys ideas in an engaging manner that supports understanding and retention.

Cultural Humility: Practices self-reflection and mindfulness of power imbalances in service delivery. Seeks to learn from others and build relationships based on mutual respect. 

Decision Making/Judgment: Approaches problems and decisions methodically and objectively; involves others as needed; uses sound judgment in making decisions and understanding the impact to themselves, participants, their team, and the organization; conducts the appropriate analysis to identify the symptoms and root cause of issues; makes timely decisions.

Delivering High Quality Work: Makes sure responsibilities central to the role meet all requirements and expectations. Finishes tasks promptly and critically reviews work to ensure quality and accuracy. Considers impact of work to others and takes steps to mitigate. 

Results Orientation: Is focused on outcomes and accomplishments; follows through on commitments; can be counted upon to successfully execute on goals; motivated by achievement and a need for closure; has an attention to detail and is both efficient and effective in achieving a high level of measurable outcomes; persists in achieving goals despite obstacles.

Teamwork: Interacts with people effectively. Encourages and respects the input of all team members. Communicates openly and honestly. Cooperates within the team and across the agency. 

Stress Tolerance: Displays emotional resilience. Deals with difficult and adverse events while maintaining professionalism and caring. Responds appropriately in the face of tension, emotion, and resistance. Seeks support from others when necessary and uses appropriate coping techniques.

Empathy: Provides empathy towards participants who are receiving services. Focuses on individualizing care based on people’s needs. Provides nonjudgmental services. 

Knowledge of: 

• National Practice Guidelines for Peer Support
• Motivational Interviewing
• Trauma Informed Care

Skills: 

• Fully proficient in Microsoft Office. 
• Proficient in DAP Note (Data, Assessment, Plan) documentation. 
• Proficient using an electronic client record system. 
• Effective problem solving.
• Effective Time Management.
• Eagerness to learn and demonstrates a growth mindset. 
• Uses critical thinking to make decisions and provide thoughtful input. 

RESPONSIBILITIES

Facilitate group sessions to enhance participants’ coping skills, foster social connections, and increase rental readiness. Provide education, guidance, and practical support to empower participants to build independence, strengthen life skills, and successfully navigate housing requirements.

Plan and implement activities to reinforce participant goals and promote personal growth.

Demonstrate the ability to establish effective, supportive, and professional relationships with participants.

Developing, modeling, and supporting independent living skills to support participants care plan.

Strong knowledge of community resources and ability to support participants in navigating the resources. 

Collaborate with Case Management and Clinical teams to help participants achieve goals as outlined in the care plan. 

Follow individualized treatment plan created by clinician with specific and measurable goals. Must continually monitor progress and re-evaluate appropriateness of goals, resetting as appropriate in consultation with Directing Clinician.

Accurately document services provided in Apricot within program requirements. A minimum of 50% of your time will need to be direct service working with participants and is monitored weekly.

Act as a role model to inspire hope, share life experiences that will benefit the participant. 

Positive solution focused demeanor while providing support under the Trauma Informed Care Model.

Be supportive by facilitating contacts in the community to promote learning of social and recreational skills and encourage a sense of belonging. 

Assist in crisis intervention as necessary, obtaining police, medical, psychiatric, or other emergency services for participant(s), as appropriate.  

Must have valid AK driver’s license; must have own insured vehicle; flexibility to work varying hours and days of the week. 

Must be willing and able to transport clients in personal vehicle.

Adapt to changing environments, think creatively and flexibly to meet the needs of participants and the program.

Other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

CSS has a career development pathway for peer support specialists. Team members may be hired as a Peer Support Specialist I or Peer Support Specialist III.  

Peer Support Specialist I

Minimum Education Qualification: High School Diploma or GED.

Minimum Experience Qualification: One (1) year of direct service experience or relevant/related experience.

Peer Support Specialist II 

Minimum Education Qualification: High School Diploma or GED. 

Minimum Experience Qualification: One (1) year as a CSS Peer Support Specialist I.

Minimum Training Qualification: Peer Support Certification. 

Peer Support Specialist III

Minimum Education Experience: Bachelor’s degree in social work, human services, social services, addiction,

counseling, psychiatric nursing, or psychology. Four (4) years of directly applicable experience may be

substituted for the required education.

Minimum Training Qualification: Peer Support Professional Certification II. 

A relevant combination of education and experience may be considered. 

Peer Support Specialist IV

Minimum Education Qualification: Bachelor’s degree in social work, human services, social services, addiction,

counseling, psychiatric nursing, or psychology. Four (4) years of directly applicable experience may be

substituted for the required education.

Minimum Experience Qualification: Two (2) years as a CSS Peer Support Specialist III.

Minimum Training Qualification: Peer Support Professional Certificate III.

WORK ENVIRONMENT 

Work environment: Work is performed in shelters, out in the community, and in a standard office environment.

Physical demands: Occasional lifting of up to 50 pounds. Frequently sitting or standing at a desk for several hours at a time. Ability to participate in recreational activities, such as hikes, and/or indoor/outdoor events with participants. Driving is required.

Travel: Travel out of Alaska is rare. Travel within Anchorage is required. 

Location: Main Office: 4600 Debarr Road, Anchorage, AK with frequent travel to other CSS locations.