Peer Support Specialist in Bridgeport, Connecticut at The Kennedy Collective Inc

If you are looking to make an impact through a meaningful and rewarding career, we are currently seeking talented, creative, and committed people who share our values of Challenging the Status Quo, Building Community, Creating Purpose, and Ensuring Inclusion by fostering individuals’ development, well-being, and growth.

Benefits:

• Medical, Vision and Dental Insurance
• Generous PTO
• 401k
• Disability
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Employee Assistance Program

Job Purpose:

About the Role

The Peer Support Specialist provides person-centered employment support aligned with the Individual Placement and Support (IPS) evidence-based model. Using lived experience in mental health recovery, you will engage individuals in employment exploration, build hope and resilience, facilitate peer relationships, and support retention in competitive, integrated jobs. You are an active member of the employment team, working collaboratively with Employment Specialists and clinicians to remove barriers and ensure participants experience choice, dignity, and ongoing support throughout their employment journey.

What You’ll Do

• Own engagement of program participants using lived experience to build trust, model recovery, and inspire hope that competitive employment is achievable.
• Provide peer support and recovery coaching—individual and group—focused on employment readiness, job search encouragement, workplace integration, and retention.
• Share personal employment and recovery stories strategically to normalize challenges, demonstrate problem-solving, and inspire participants to move toward competitive work.
• Support job applications, resume assistance, and interview readiness. Help participants gather identification and documentation for employment.
• Facilitate peer groups, recovery conversations, and participant engagement activities to build community, reduce isolation, and reinforce employment motivation.
• Provide individualized employment retention support in collaboration with the Employment Specialist: workplace check-ins, wellness monitoring, conflict navigation, and coaching.
• Participate actively in team meetings, treatment planning, and caseload reviews. Bring the participant perspective and ensure IPS principles are honored.
• Maintain accurate, timely documentation of all participant contacts, activities, and outcomes in compliance with HIPAA and agency standards.
• Build respectful, trusting relationships with participants and support person-directed goals

What YOU Bring

Required

• Lived experience with mental health challenges and recovery, with readiness to use that experience authentically, professionally, and ethically
• High School Diploma or GED required; relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of formal education
• Strong communication skills; ability to build rapport and maintain appropriate boundaries
• Ability to work independently, manage time, and meet documentation expectations
• Comfort providing community-based services and traveling locally
• Valid driver’s license and reliable means of transportation for accessing community
• Flexibility in schedule to meet peer needs
• Advanced technological experience with computers and smartphones

Preferred

• Certified Peer Specialist (CPS) or Certified Recovery Support Specialist (CRSS) credential
• Prior experience in supported employment, IPS programs, or community mental health services.
• Direct experience using recovery and wellness frameworks (e.g., WRAP—Wellness Recovery Action Plans).
• Familiarity with benefit planning, vocational rehabilitation, or disability employment work incentives.
• Knowledge of local community resources and benefits systems (SSI/SSDI, Medicaid, etc.)
• Post-secondary education in human services, behavioral health, workforce development

PHYSICAL DEMANDS & WORK ENVIRONMENT

This position is primarily community-based and requires frequent travel throughout the service region, including visits to employer sites, state facilities, and community locations. The role requires the ability to sit, stand, walk, and drive for extended periods and move weights up to 15 lbs. on an occasional basis.

The Kennedy Collective invests in the success of all new employees by providing an immersive new hire orientation and training experience. Here’s what you can expect if you’re hired:

• Two-week new hire orientation including an introduction to the agency, site tours, and employer-funded CPR & PMT certification.
• Two weeks of job-specific trainings and shadowing at your worksite
• Check-ins with Human Resources after your first 30, 60, and 90 days

The Kennedy Collective is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees and the individuals we serve.