Peer Support Specialist

Job Title: Peer Support Specialist_3.3 Residential

Type and FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Reports To: Clinical Director

Salary: $21-$24/ hour

Last updated: 08.2026

ABOUT HER CAMPAIGN

HER Campaign is a faith-based nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting individuals impacted by substance use disorders, trauma, and co-occurring mental health needs, including survivors of human trafficking. Since our founding in 2016, HER Campaign has supported individuals through crisis intervention, stabilization, and various stages of recovery and restoration.

Our mission is to empower individuals to heal, grow, and discover purpose through a continuum of care that integrates safe environments, trauma-informed practices, therapeutic support, spiritual support, and community connection. We are committed to creating environments where individuals can stabilize physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually while being supported in their journey toward healing, recovery, and long-term restoration.

Rooted in the belief that “Hospitality Comes First,” HER Campaign fosters a culture of dignity, respect, compassion, accountability, and excellence. We believe every individual deserves to be treated with honor and provided with the support, resources, and opportunities necessary to pursue healing and a future of hope.

Through its affiliated licensed entities, HER Campaign supports the development and operation of substance use disorder and related supportive services designed to meet the needs of individuals with substance use disorders, including individuals with co-occurring mental health needs. Programs may also serve individuals with trauma histories and other complex needs, including survivors of human trafficking. Services are provided through appropriately licensed entities in accordance with applicable state licensing requirements, regulatory standards, payer requirements, and evidence-based practices, including the ASAM Criteria when applicable.

HER Campaign provides mission alignment, organizational leadership, administrative infrastructure, and operational support to strengthen the delivery of safe, effective, compassionate, and person-centered services across its programs and locations.

PROGRAM PHILOSOPHY

HER Campaign supports trauma-informed, person-centered, strengths-based, and holistic recovery environments that recognize the integration of mental, emotional, physical, social, and spiritual well-being.

Programs are designed to meet individuals where they are and provide appropriate support based on their needs, goals, level of care, and recovery journey. Services are delivered in a manner that promotes dignity, safety, accountability, personal responsibility, connection, and hope.

Licensed substance use disorder services are provided through affiliated licensed entities in accordance with applicable state licensing requirements, regulatory standards, payer requirements, and evidence-based practices, including the ASAM Criteria when applicable.

Spiritual support may be incorporated into services and activities consistent with the individual's preferences and goals. Participation in spiritual activities is voluntary and client-centered.

POSITION OVERVIEW

This position requires current Certified Behavioral Health Peer Support Specialist (CBHPSS) certification for the provision of Medicaid-reimbursable peer support services. The Peer Support Specialist position serves as a non-clinical, lived-experience support role within an ASAM Level 3.3 Clinically Managed High-Intensity residential treatment program. Peer Support Specialists provide recovery-oriented engagement, mentorship, and encouragement to residents experiencing substance use disorders, co-occurring behavioral health conditions, and trauma-related challenges.

This position supports residents by promoting hope, connection, accountability, and engagement in treatment services within a structured residential milieu. Peer Support Specialists use lived experience with recovery to model healthy coping strategies, recovery behaviors, and personal growth in a way that supports resident stabilization and engagement.

This is a non-clinical peer support role that does not provide therapy, counseling, diagnosis, treatment planning, or clinical assessment services or perform clinical assessments, screenings, or evaluations. The Peer Support Specialist functions within a structured residential treatment milieu as part of an interdisciplinary treatment team and works under the direction of the Clinical Director and qualified clinical staff, maintaining a strictly non-clinical scope while supporting engagement in recovery-oriented services.

Peer Support Specialists collaborate with clinical and program staff to support resident engagement in treatment services and goals developed by qualified clinical staff and contribute to a recovery-oriented residential environment consistent with ASAM 3.3 standards. Peer Support Specialists may only provide services for which they are properly credentialed and authorized. All Medicaid-reimbursable peer support services must be performed in accordance with current CBHPSS certification requirements and organizational billing and documentation standards.

The Peer Support Specialist functions under the supervision of qualified clinical staff and within the scope of practice established by Montana Medicaid, CBHPSS certification standards, organizational policy, and applicable regulatory requirements. The Peer Support Specialist does not independently provide clinical services, make treatment decisions, conduct assessments, establish diagnoses, or develop treatment plans.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Peer Engagement & Recovery Support

• Provides non-clinical peer support by drawing on shared lived experience to validate client experiences, promote hope, and encourage active participation in recovery-oriented services and treatment engagement.

• Serves as a recovery mentor and provides client lived-experience perspective to the interdisciplinary team regarding engagement in services, treatment participation, and recovery experiences.

• Helps clients build a stable recovery lifestyle by encouraging participation in supports, healthy habits, and community recovery resources.

• Models recovery-oriented behaviors and supports engagement in recovery capital development.

Crisis Support & Safety Escalation (Non-Clinical)

• Provides peer-based support during crisis and relapse vulnerability through encouragement, emotional support, and connection to clinical staff and community resources.

• Supports de-escalation through non-clinical engagement and coping encouragement (does not independently manage or clinically intervene in behavioral health crises).

• Communicates observed changes in client engagement, presentation, or safety concerns to qualified clinical staff for review and potential intervention.

Resource Navigation & Community Linkage

• Assists clients in connecting with housing, healthcare, entitlements, legal services, transportation, and other community recovery resources.

Intake, Orientation & Program Engagement Support

• Provides peer-based support during initial client arrival and orientation by welcoming new clients and sharing lived-experience perspectives to reduce anxiety, increase comfort, and support engagement in the residential environment.

• Provides support during non-clinical orientation activities such as facility tours, introduction to daily routines, and review of general program structure under the direction of clinical and program staff.

• This role does not participate in clinical admissions, assessments, screening, or treatment planning decisions.

ADL Support & Recovery Skill Modeling

• Provides peer support and recovery modeling related to activities of daily living (ADLs), including routine development, organization, transportation, grocery shopping, hygiene, and basic life skills within a recovery-oriented setting.

Documentation & Confidentiality

• Maintains confidentiality of substance use disorder treatment information in accordance with HIPAA, 42 CFR Part 2, and organizational confidentiality policies, including appropriate handling of protected health information and release of information requirements.

• Documentation reflects observed interactions and peer support activities without clinical assessment, interpretation, diagnosis, or treatment planning content.

• Maintains strict confidentiality and limits access to protected health information (PHI) to authorized personnel only.

Team Collaboration & Program Development Support

• Provides lived-experience input to support development of recovery-oriented group topics and engagement strategies under clinical supervision.

• Maintains professional peer role boundaries and refers clinical, safety, or treatment-related concerns to qualified staff.

• Supports the therapeutic residential environment by modeling recovery behaviors, encouraging participation in scheduled programming, and promoting a safe, respectful, and recovery-oriented community culture.

EXPERIENCE/EDUCATION

• Current Montana Certified Behavioral Health Peer Support Specialist (CBHPSS) certification, or other credential recognized by the State of Montana for the provision of Medicaid-reimbursable peer support services, is required at the time of hire and must be maintained throughout employment.

• Verification of required certification/credentialing must be provided prior to hire and maintained in the employee personnel file in accordance with organizational credentialing procedures.

• Continued employment in the Peer Support Specialist role is contingent upon maintaining active certification/credentialing and ongoing eligibility to provide Medicaid-reimbursable peer support services. Failure to maintain required certification, credentialing, or eligibility may result in removal from peer support duties, reassignment, or termination of employment.

• High school diploma or GED required. Additional education in behavioral health, social services, or a related field is preferred but not required.

• Lived experience with recovery from substance use, mental health challenges, trauma, or co-occurring conditions is required and serves as the foundation of the peer support role.

• Minimum of one year of experience in behavioral health, residential care, peer support, recovery-oriented services, or a related field is preferred but not required.

• Must be at least 18 years of age.

• Must be able to meet the physical and emotional demands of a residential behavioral health environment, including working evenings, weekends, holidays, and varied shifts as needed.

Training and Health Requirements

Employee must complete required onboarding and ongoing training as a condition of employment, including but not limited to:

• Trauma-informed care training and application in clinical practice

• Crisis intervention/de-escalation training (CPI or equivalent)

• CPR and First Aid certification (must remain current)

• Program-specific clinical, documentation, and compliance training

• 42 CFR Part 2 confidentiality requirements

Employee must also meet the following conditions of employment:

• Successful completion of all required background checks (including criminal background, registry checks, and exclusion list screening as applicable)

• Negative tuberculosis (TB) screening prior to or upon hire, with ongoing testing as required by program policy or public health guidance

• If assigned to duties involving client transportation or driving on behalf of the program, employees must possess a valid driver’s license, maintain an acceptable driving record, and meet agency insurance requirements.

SKILLS/COMPETENCIES

Lived Experience & Peer Practice

• Ability to utilize lived experience appropriately to build rapport, trust, and engagement.

• Knowledge of recovery-oriented principles and recovery capital development.

• Ability to provide empathetic, non-judgmental, non-clinical peer support.

Professional Boundaries & Role Clarity

• Ability to maintain professional boundaries within a residential treatment environment.

• Ability to recognize and refer to clinical, safety, or treatment-related concerns appropriately.

• Maintains fidelity to the peer support role by ensuring all services remain strictly non-clinical and fully within CBHPSS scope of practice, maintaining clear role boundaries at all times.

Communication & Documentation

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.

• Ability to accurately document peer interactions in objective, factual language.

• Ability to maintain confidentiality (HIPAA, 42 CFR Part 2).

Teamwork & Environment

• Ability to function within an interdisciplinary treatment team.

• Ability to remain calm and supportive in emotionally intense residential environments.

• Commitment to trauma-informed, recovery-oriented care.

Training & Compliance

• Participates in ongoing supervision, training, certification maintenance, and professional development activities required to maintain CBHPSS certification and competency within the peer support role.

• Knowledge of organizational policies and residential program expectations.

PHYSICAL AND WORK ENVIRONMENT

This position performs work in office, program, remote, and community settings as assigned. The employee may be required to sit, stand, walk, travel between program locations, attend meetings, and respond to operational or clinical needs consistent with the responsibilities of the position.

The position requires the ability to communicate effectively in person, by telephone, and electronically; operate computers and electronic health record systems; review and prepare documentation; and respond appropriately to urgent or crisis situations requiring consultation, decision-making, or other responsibilities within the scope of the position.

The work environment may include exposure to emotionally intense situations involving individuals experiencing trauma, substance use disorders, mental health concerns, or behavioral health crises. The employee is expected to maintain professionalism, support safety practices, maintain appropriate professional boundaries, and promote a trauma-informed environment.

EMPLOYMENT DISCLAIMER

This Position Description is intended to describe the general nature, scope, and level of work performed by this position. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, qualifications, or requirements associated with the position.

The Company reserves the right to modify this Position Description at any time based on organizational needs, program requirements, regulatory requirements, accreditation standards, or changes in professional practice.

This Position Description does not create an employment contract or alter the at-will employment relationship established under applicable law.

OTHER DUTIES

Employees may be assigned additional duties, responsibilities, or activities consistent with their position, qualifications, and scope of practice. Duties and responsibilities may change based on organizational needs, program requirements, regulatory requirements, or other operational considerations.

Employees are expected to support the mission, values, policies, procedures, standards of conduct, and compliance requirements of the company and its affiliated licensed entities, as applicable to their role.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

The Company provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination, harassment, and retaliation in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws.

Employment decisions are made based on qualifications, skills, experience, performance, and organizational needs without regard to protected characteristics under applicable law.

The Company is committed to maintaining a professional, respectful, and inclusive workplace that supports dignity, safety, and respect for all employees, clients, volunteers, and community partners.

This employer participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with Form I-9 information to confirm that individuals are authorized to work in the United States.