Mobile Crisis Peer Support Specialist
Full-Time | Newport or St. Johnsbury, VT
Looking for a meaningful career where your lived experience can make a difference?
Northeast Kingdom Human Services (NKHS) is seeking a Mobile Crisis Peer Support Specialist to join our Community-Based Mobile Crisis Services team. In this role, you will work alongside crisis clinicians and community partners to provide voluntary, non-clinical peer support to individuals experiencing mental health, substance use, or co-occurring crises throughout Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom.
As a Peer Support Specialist, you will use your lived experience, empathy, and understanding to help individuals navigate difficult moments, connect with resources, and build hope. This role focuses on advocacy, emotional support, and recovery-oriented care while working as part of a multidisciplinary crisis response team.
Primary Responsibilities
- Provide non-clinical peer support through active listening, empathy, validation, and shared understanding.
- Offer a calming and supportive presence during mobile crisis responses in homes and community settings.
- Advocate for individual choice, self-determination, and personal preferences during crisis interventions.
- Assist individuals in connecting with community resources, natural supports, and ongoing services.
- Collaborate with clinicians, emergency responders, and community partners while maintaining a clearly defined peer support role.
- Provide follow-up support and encouragement after crisis responses to promote continued connection and recovery.
- Complete timely and accurate documentation in accordance with agency standards.
Qualifications
- High school diploma or equivalent required.
- Direct lived experience with mental health challenges, substance use, trauma, hospitalization, suicidality, or navigating the behavioral health system.
- Ability to use lived experience intentionally and ethically to support others.
- Strong interpersonal, communication, and relationship-building skills.
- Commitment to peer support values including mutual respect, autonomy, empowerment, and recovery.
- Ability to work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team while maintaining appropriate peer support boundaries.
- Ability to work flexible hours, including evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays as needed.
Preferred Qualifications
- Previous experience in peer support, crisis services, harm reduction, recovery services, or community-based support programs.
- Training in Intentional Peer Support (IPS), trauma-informed care, de-escalation, or related peer support models.
- Familiarity with community mental health resources and crisis response systems.
Salary & Benefits
Competitive Pay! $24.13 - $29.49 per hour based on experience.
NKHS offers an exceptional benefits package including:
- Low-cost medical and dental insurance
- 403(b) retirement plan with agency contribution and match
- Tuition assistance, continuing education reimbursement, and loan repayment programs
- Generous paid time off, 12 sick days, and 12 paid holidays
- Employee wellness program
- Life insurance, disability coverage, AFLAC, and Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- Additional voluntary benefit options
About NKHS
Northeast Kingdom Human Services (NKHS) is a nonprofit community mental health organization serving Caledonia, Essex, and Orleans Counties. Our mission is to enrich communities and enhance the ability of individuals and families to improve their lives. Every day, our team helps people access the support, services, and resources they need to thrive.
NKHS is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and welcoming workplace.
