Peer Support Specialist

Peer Support Specialist IThe City and County of Denver offers a competitive salary commensurate with experience and education. The starting pay range is $23.89 to $25.50 per hour based on your experience. We also offer generous benefits for full-time employees which include but is not limited to:A guaranteed life-long monthly pension, once vested after 5 years of service457B Retirement Plan132 hours of PTO earned within first year11 Paid Holidays per year, plus 1 personal holiday, and 8 hours of Denver Good Deeds volunteer timeEducation Refund Program (ERP) - a chance for the city to support your continued learning and career growth by investing in your future with the cityCare Bank – 8 weeks of Paid Family Leave (after the probation period is passed)Free RTD Eco PassCompetitive medical, dental and vision plans effective within 1 month of start dateIn this position you will work on site at the Office of the Municipal Public Defender, at: 710 W Colfax, Denver CO 80204. This position will be 100% onsite Monday to Friday from 8:00AM – 4:00PM.The Office of the Municipal Public Defender (OMPD) is a comprehensive, holistic public defender office that is client-centered, independent, and innovative in the representation of defendants who face jail time for municipal ordinance violations and traffic offenses, and municipal youth offenses. Many of our clients live with mental health conditions, substance use disorders, and traumatic brain injuries and over half are experiencing homelessness or housing instability.OMPD's Client Support Team (CST) consists of four Peer Support Specialists, a Behavioral Health Navigator, and a Bilingual Outreach Case Coordinator who work alongside attorneys in court daily, create re-entry plans with clients in jail, and connect clients with resources like shelter/housing, benefit enrollment, behavioral health treatment, and more. The CST division serves as part of the defense team and are bound by the Colorado Rules of Professional Conduct including rules regarding attorney-client privilege and client confidentiality.OMPD is seeking a Peer Support Specialist I to provide peer support and resource navigation to the individuals OMPD represents.Job duties and responsibilities of this position include, but are not limited to the following:Support OMPD's holistic defense by working under the direction of attorneys to provide peer support, resource navigation, and mitigation for OMPD clients.Build person-centered relationships with clients using a trauma informed peer support model.Demonstrate SAMHSA's Core Competencies for Peer Workers in work with clients: recovery oriented, person-centered, voluntary, and relationship focused; and the National Practice Standards for Peer Supporters in work with clients.Collaborate with OMPD staff across divisions, including administrative staff, paralegals, attorneys, and Client Support Team staff, to provide holistic, client centered representation.Use shared lived experiences to inspire hope and to provide linkages to a variety of recovery, mental health, community supports, and services for individuals OMPD represents.Engage clients with goal setting methods to identify services, resources, develop timelines, and partners with clients to succeed in self-determined goals, and monitor success.Support the defense team by being present regularly at court, including the first appearance court, OMPD's office, and the Denver Detention Center (jail), to provide timely peer support.Visit clients in Denver jails and partners with clients to create reentry plans and supports connections to community resources upon release.Actively participate in connecting clients to services by supporting clients to make phone calls, attending court and other appointments with clients, and coordinating services with clients across multiple systems.Complete and enter all required documentation into OMPD's case management system. Accurately document progress, client interactions, and meet timelines.Other duties as needed and assigned.Research shows women and other underrepresented and historically marginalized groups tend to apply only when they check every box in the posting. If you are reading this and hesitating to click "apply" for that reason, we encourage you to apply.Our ideal candidate will have:Highly desired, but not required: Possession of a peer support related certification.Examples of peer support related certifications: Colorado Peer & Family Specialist designation or a National Designation from NAADAC (NCPRSS) or Mental Health America – (CPRS)Peer support specialist training completed or in-progressLived experience of mental health, substance use, trauma, and/or co-occurring conditions is highly valued.Knowledge and experience with the Denver Criminal Justice system, court processes, public defense – including the role of the defense council.Understanding of Denver metro resources, services, and community supports.Experience providing peer support services in a criminal justice or social services setting.Skills in addressing the needs of people experiencing homelessness, individuals living with mental health and substance misuse conditions and other vulnerable populations.Knowledge of Denver metro resources, social services, and behavioral health treatment and supports.Bilingual Spanish proficiency is highly valuedDemonstrated commitment to justice, equity, diversity, accessibility, and inclusion.Proficient in Microsoft Office applications and data entry experience.We realize your time is valuable, so please do not apply if you do not have at least the following required minimum qualifications:Education Requirement: Graduation from high school or the possession of a GED, HiSET or TASC Certificate.Experience Requirement: One (1) year of experience providing peer support as a volunteer or professional.Education and Experience Equivalency: A combination of appropriate education and experience may be substituted for the minimum education and experience requirements.To be considered for this position, please include the following on your job application (upload the multiple attachment(s) to the Resume/CV section on the My Experience tab):Up-to-date resume (Required)Cover Letter (Required)Please include a section in the cover letter highlighting how your experience aligns with this position, including your:Description of your volunteer or professional experience providing peer support services, including any peer support specialist training and/or certification(s) you have completed.Knowledge, skills, and abilities to provide peer support and resource navigation to clients involved in the criminal justice system.This position is expected to stay open until Friday, September 18th, 2026. Please submit your application as soon as possible and no later than September 18th at 11:59pm.