Peer Specialist

Job Description:

Job Title: Peer Specialist
Location: Joplin, Missouri
Department: Recovery Services
Employment Type: Full Time

Job Summary:

Are you passionate about helping others discover hope, healing, and recovery? As a Peer Specialist, you will play a meaningful role in supporting individuals on their recovery journey while working alongside a compassionate and collaborative team dedicated to making a difference in the lives of others. This position offers the opportunity to build meaningful relationships, mentor individuals through personal experiences, connect people with valuable community resources, and empower clients to achieve their goals. If you are empathetic, encouraging, recovery-focused, and passionate about helping others succeed, we encourage you to apply.

The Peer Specialist emphasizes the acquisition, development, and expansion of recovery skills that enable individuals to fully engage in their treatment and recovery process. Through peer support, advocacy, mentoring, education, and community engagement, this role helps clients build resilience, access support services, develop independent living skills, and maintain long-term recovery. The Peer Specialist works closely with treatment teams, referral sources, families, and community partners to promote positive outcomes and continuity of care.

This position offers...

• Employee Assistance Program - 24/7 counseling services, legal assistance, & financial consultation for you and your household at no cost

• Mileage Reimbursement - Company paid for work functions requiring travel

• Employee Discounts - Hotels, Theme Parks & Attractions, College Tuition

• Workplace Culture - An environment cultivating employee wellbeing, valuing each individual's humanity, and actively promoting a healthy, joyful workforce

• Additional Perks & Benefits - Scroll down to bottom of this post to learn more

Key Responsibilities:

• Build meaningful relationships with individuals and provide peer support, mentoring, coaching, and encouragement throughout their recovery journey.

• Assist individuals in identifying strengths, developing recovery goals, and creating personalized treatment plans that support long-term success.

• Connect clients with community resources, recovery supports, mutual aid groups, medical services, and other programs that promote wellness and independence.

• Advocate for individuals and empower them to make informed decisions while actively participating in their treatment and recovery process.

• Facilitate group education sessions, provide emotional and informational support, and encourage healthy, productive, and sober lifestyles.

• Transport clients to appointments, treatment services, recovery activities, and community-based supports as needed.

• Collaborate with treatment team members, referral sources, guardians, and community partners to support continuity of care and successful transitions.

• Participate in treatment planning meetings and assist with coordination of services and referrals.

• Provide crisis intervention support when needed and respond appropriately to client concerns.

• Document services provided in accordance with state regulations, CARF standards, and organizational requirements.

• Complete required professional development activities, certifications, and ongoing training requirements.

• Maintain ethical standards, confidentiality requirements, and professional representation of the organization.

Education, Experience, and/or Credential Qualifications:

• Must be willing to self-identify as a present or former client of mental health and/or substance use services, or self-identify as a person in recovery from a mental health and/or substance use disorder.

• Requires one (1) year of direct personal experience with the mental health system as a primary consumer of services.

• Provide a state-approved Certified Peer Support certificate

• High School diploma or equivalent required.

• Two (2) years of responsible employment history.

• If required, complete a 5-Day Basic Training Program and successfully pass a State of Missouri approved certification examination within six (6) months of employment.

• Minimum one (1) year of recovery required.

• Exceptions to the listed qualifications may be approved by appropriate leadership.

Additional Qualifications:

• Must be 21 years of age or older.

• Current driver's license, acceptable driving record, and current automobile insurance required.

• Successful completion of background screening, including criminal record, driving record, abuse/neglect screening, and fingerprint check.

• Ability to share personal recovery experiences appropriately while maintaining professional boundaries.

• Knowledge of mental health and substance use disorders and available community recovery resources.

• Understanding of case management, rehabilitation principles, recovery-oriented services, and peer support practices.

• Ability to serve as a positive role model and source of hope through demonstrated recovery and resilience.

• Strong verbal and written communication skills with the ability to prepare clear and concise documentation.

• Basic computer proficiency required.

• Ability to connect individuals to recovery resources, mutual aid groups, and community support networks.

• Must attain and maintain all required certifications and training as mandated for the position.

Physical Requirements

• Perform light work, including exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, up to 10 pounds frequently, and negligible force constantly to move objects.

• Frequently walk and stand throughout the workday.

• Sit for extended periods while performing job-related duties as needed.

• Push and pull objects or equipment when required to perform essential job functions.

Keywords: Peer Specialist, Recovery Services, Behavioral Health, Mental Health, Substance Use Recovery, Peer Support, Recovery Coach, Community Support, Case Management, Crisis Intervention

Position Perks & Benefits:

Paid time off: full-time employees receive an attractive time off package to balance your work and personal life

Employee benefits package: full-time employees receive health, dental, vision, retirement, life, & more

Top-notch training: initial, ongoing, comprehensive, and supportive

Career mobility: advancement opportunities/promoting from within

Welcoming, warm, supportive: a work culture & environment that promotes your well-being, values you as human being, and encourages your health and happiness.

Brightli is on a Mission:

A mission to improve client care, reduce the financial burden of community mental health centers by sharing resources, a mission to have a larger voice in advocacy to increase access to mental health and substance user care in our communities, and a mission to evolve the behavioral health industry to better meet the needs of our clients.

As a behavioral and community mental health provider, we prioritize fostering a culture of belonging and connection within our workforce. We encourage applications from individuals with varied backgrounds and experiences, as we believe that a rich tapestry of perspectives strengthens our mission. If you are passionate about empowering local communities and creating an environment where everyone feels valued and supported, we invite you to join our mission-driven organization dedicated to cultivating an authentic workplace.

We are an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.

Burrell Behavioral Health is a Smoke and Tobacco Free Workplace.