Peer Support Specialist in Kansas City, Kansas at Wyandot Behavioral Health Network

Peer Support Specialist

If your own recovery journey has inspired you to help others, we'd love to hear from you.

As a Peer Support Specialist, you'll use your lived experience with mental health recovery to encourage hope, build meaningful connections, and empower individuals as they work toward their own recovery goals. Through authentic peer-to-peer relationships, you'll help individuals recognize their strengths, develop practical skills, and access the resources they need to live healthier, more independent lives.

This role serves individuals experiencing mental health challenges, including co-occurring substance use disorders, using a recovery-oriented, strength-based approach that values dignity, resilience, and personal choice.

As a Peer Support Specialist, you will:

• Build trusting, supportive relationships with individuals experiencing serious mental illness and co-occurring substance use disorders.
• Partner with clients to develop and support individualized recovery goals and wellness plans.
• Coach individuals in practical life skills, including problem-solving, communication, self-advocacy, and healthy coping strategies.
• Share your own recovery experience appropriately to inspire hope and demonstrate that recovery is possible.
• Model effective coping techniques, wellness practices, and self-help strategies.
• Connect clients and families with community resources, support groups, and other services that promote long-term recovery.
• Support individuals in building natural supports and strengthening relationships within their communities.
• Promote recovery while honoring each person's unique culture, background, values, and experiences.
• Complete required documentation accurately and within established timeframes.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary team members and actively participate in supervision, team meetings, and ongoing professional development.
• Travel throughout the service area to meet clients in community settings and transport clients or family members when needed.

Qualifications

Education

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Coursework in behavioral health, psychology, social work, or related field is preferred.
• Must successfully complete Certified Peer Support training and obtain Peer Support Certification within six months of hire.

Experience

Qualified candidates must:

• Self-identify as a person with lived experience receiving behavioral health services.
• Have at least one year of sustained recovery, including one year of sobriety.
• Have had no psychiatric hospitalizations within the past two years.
• Lived experience with both mental health recovery and substance use recovery is strongly preferred.

The ideal candidate will have:

• A strong understanding of recovery principles, wellness, behavioral health, and substance use recovery.
• Excellent interpersonal and relationship-building skills.
• The ability to motivate, encourage, and support individuals from diverse backgrounds.
• Strong conflict resolution and communication skills.
• Experience working collaboratively with community partners and social service organizations.
• Cultural awareness and sensitivity to diverse populations.
• The ability to maintain accurate documentation and manage multiple priorities.
• A commitment to professionalism, confidentiality, and person-centered care.

• Valid driver's license with a clean driving record.
• Reliable transportation with current comprehensive automobile insurance.
• Willingness to provide proof of vehicle inspection or complete one within the past year.
• Ability to travel throughout the service area.
• Successful completion of criminal background screening and Kansas Child Abuse/Neglect Registry clearance.
• Ability to perform essential job duties with or without reasonable accommodation.

This position is based from a central office but primarily serves individuals in the community. Frequent travel to homes, community agencies, healthcare providers, and other locations is required. The work is fast-paced and often involves balancing multiple priorities while providing compassionate, person-centered support.

Recovery is possible—and your story can make a difference.

As a Peer Support Specialist, you'll have the opportunity to use your lived experience to empower others, reduce stigma, and help individuals build meaningful, fulfilling lives. You'll work alongside a supportive behavioral health team committed to hope, recovery, and improving the lives of the people we serve.