Job Overview
We are seeking a compassionate and dedicated Outpatient SUD Peer Support Specialist to join our behavioral health team. This role involves providing peer-led support to individuals recovering from substance use disorders, fostering a supportive environment for recovery, and promoting engagement with treatment services. The ideal candidate will have lived experience with addiction and recovery, along with a strong desire to help others navigate their path to wellness. This position offers an opportunity to make a meaningful impact in the community while gaining valuable experience in behavioral health services.
Responsibilities
Provide recovery support services in alignment with the four IC&RC/KBADC domains: Advocacy, Ethical Responsibility, Mentoring & Education, and Recovery & Wellness Support.
1. Advocacy
- Support residents in identifying personal needs, strengths, and recovery goals, advocating for their right to access services, resources, and supports.
- Assist residents in navigating treatment barriers such as transportation, legal obligations, appointments, probation expectations, childcare needs, and community resource access.
- Coach residents in self-advocacy skills, including how to communicate effectively with providers, court representatives, probation officers, case managers, and community partners.
- Help residents build practical life-navigation skills such as making phone calls, attending appointments on time, obtaining vital records, applying for benefits, and accessing safe housing or supportive recovery environments.
- Accompany residents, when appropriate, to community meetings, recovery groups, and resource appointments to facilitate successful engagement.
2. Ethical Responsibility
- Uphold professional boundaries, confidentiality, and ethical conduct in accordance with KBADC and agency standards.
- Model healthy decision-making, emotional regulation, accountability, and responsible behavior rooted in lived experience.
- Recognize personal limitations and immediately seek supervisory guidance when situations fall outside the peer support scope of practice.
- Maintain ethical consistency when assisting residents with life-skills areas, ensuring support is focused on coaching, modeling, and empowerment—not providing direct clinical judgment or counseling.
- Encourage residents to practice safety, stability, and harm-reduction strategies, supporting them in developing daily routines that protect their recovery.
- Document peer interactions accurately, objectively, and promptly, maintaining professionalism in written and verbal communication.
3. Mentoring & Education
- Share lived experience appropriately to instill hope, demonstrate recovery, and show that positive long-term change is possible.
- Teach residents recovery skills such as identifying triggers, building healthy routines, creating a daily recovery plan, and practicing coping strategies.
- Provide structured life-skills coaching, including:
- Communication and interpersonal skills
- Budgeting, money management, and financial responsibility
- Meal planning, grocery shopping, and basic cooking
- Personal hygiene and home-cleaning routines
- Time management
- Parenting skills (when applicable)
- Daily organization and problem-solving
- Facilitate peer-led recovery groups, life-skills groups, and learning-based activities that reinforce independence, wellness, and self-efficacy.
- Support residents in building connections with community-based recovery groups (AA/NA/SMART), religious or spiritual supports, sober community events, or pro-social activities.
4. Recovery & Wellness Support
- Assist residents in identifying what wellness looks like for them, including physical, emotional, social, and spiritual well-being.
- Help residents develop individualized recovery plans that include healthy routines, relapse-prevention strategies, and daily structure.
- Encourage participation in physical wellness activities, meditation, recovery meetings, self-care practices, and stress-management strategies.
- Support residents in developing practical independent-living skills that promote long-term stability after discharge, including:
- Maintaining a clean living space
- Establishing sleep routines
- Managing medications responsibly
- Preparing healthy meals
- Practicing healthy boundaries
- Using public transportation or arranging reliable travel
- Provide companionship and peer-level engagement during challenging times, helping residents stay motivated and connected to their goals.
- Coordinate warm handoffs to outpatient services, MAT providers, recovery housing, community-based supports, and natural supports to ensure continuity of care.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Must hold a Temporary Registered Alcohol & Drug Peer Support Specialist (TRADPSS) or Registered Alcohol & Drug Peer Support Specialist (RADPSS) credential through the Kentucky Board of Alcohol & Drug Counselors. Minimum of 1 year of personal recovery from substance use disorder. Demonstrated knowledge of recovery principles, peer support ethics, and multiple pathways to recovery. Valid Kentucky driver’s license required. Previous experience in a treatment or recovery setting preferred.
EFFECTIVE DATE: January 1, 2026
SPECIAL KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES: Ability to provide empathetic, strengths‑based support grounded in lived experience. Understanding of trauma‑informed care, co‑occurring disorders, and the role of peer support within a multidisciplinary team. Ability to maintain clear documentation and professional communication. Strong interpersonal skills, flexibility, and the ability to model recovery‑oriented behavior. Ability to recognize personal limits and seek supervisory guidance when needed.
EEO/AA RESPONSIBILITIES: MCCC is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. Employment opportunity is offered based on job qualifications regardless of race, religion, color, national origin, political belief, age, gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, protected veteran’s or victimization status. MCCC actively seeks to enhance career objectives of minorities, women, older people and people with intellectual or developmental disabilities.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: From $13.00 per hour
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Bereavement leave
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Mileage reimbursement
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
People with a criminal record are encouraged to apply
Education:
- High school or equivalent (Preferred)
License/Certification:
- TRADPSS Licensure (Required)
Ability to Commute:
Work Location: In person
