Peer Counselor

Job Description

Job Description

Job Summary:

The Peer Counselor is an essential part of our behavioral health and supportive services team, offering guidance, empathy, and support to individuals navigating mental health challenges, substance use recovery, and/or chronic medical conditions. Lived experience with recovery is highly valued and preferred, though not required. Candidates may also bring relevant expertise, transferable skills, or a strong commitment to peer-informed care. The Peer Counselor helps clients build resilience, access services, and engage in meaningful wellness activities, fostering a supportive and nonjudgmental environment while bridging the gap between providers and the communities we serve.

Key Responsibilities:

Client Support & Engagement:

• Build trusting, empathetic relationships with clients through shared experience and non-clinical support.
• Assist clients in setting and achieving personal recovery goals.
• Provide mentorship and encouragement around treatment adherence, lifestyle changes, and reentry challenges.
• Accompany clients to appointments or assist with navigating service systems (as needed).

Wellness & Recovery Promotion:

• Facilitate or co-facilitate peer-led groups, including wellness check-ins, recovery education, life skills, or support circles.
• Help clients develop coping strategies, crisis plans, and independent living skills.
• Encourage participation in structured programming, activities, or community engagement events.

Documentation & Communication:

• Maintain accurate and timely documentation of all peer interactions in compliance with program policies and confidentiality standards.
• Communicate client needs and concerns to appropriate team members while respecting client privacy.
• Support coordination of care by collaborating with case managers, clinicians, and medical staff.

Advocacy & Representation:

• Advocate for trauma-informed, person-centered approaches within the agency and among partner organizations.
• Represent the peer voice at internal meetings, training, and community events.

Training & Professional Growth:

• Participate in ongoing peer support training, supervision, and development workshops.
• Maintain certification and understanding of recovery models, harm reduction, and cultural humility.

Required Qualifications:

• Lived experience with behavioral health recovery, substance use recovery, and/or PLWHIV.
• Must be actively engaged in stable recovery (minimum 1 year preferred).
• High School Diploma or GED.
• Peer Support Specialist certification (or willingness to obtain within 6 months of hire).
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Basic computer literacy (documentation, email, scheduling).

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bilingual (Spanish or Haitian Creole).
• Experience working with justice-involved, LGBTQ+, or underserved populations.
• Familiarity with harm reduction, motivational interviewing, and recovery-oriented systems of care.

Work Environment & Physical Requirements:

• Combination of office, community, and in-field work.
• May involve standing, walking, or light lifting (up to 20 lbs).
• Flexible schedule may include some evenings or weekends based on client needs.

Continental Wellness Centers provides Infectious Disease services through our "HIV/STD Test 'N Treat Program", Integrated Behavioral Health (MH and/or SA) and limited primary care services.

Company Description

Continental Wellness Centers provides Infectious Disease services through our "HIV/STD Test 'N Treat Program", Integrated Behavioral Health (MH and/or SA) and limited primary care services.