Peer Support Professional Lead

Health Solutions West is the Western slope’s largest behavioral health care organization, covering more than 23,000 square miles across 10 counties.  With over 250 employees in Western Colorado, you would be joining a mighty team of support and administrative staff, case managers, clinicians, physicians, nurses, and others in our efforts to improve the health and wellbeing of our community.

Benefits offered to Full-Time Employees:

• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• Paid time off accrual and generous leave policy
• 403(b) benefits with 6% company match

Position: Peer Support Professional Lead

Location: Service Area: Roaring Fork & Colorado River Valley (travel required) 
Reports To: Housing Program Manager & Regional Outreach Director 

Cost of Living Allowance (COLA): Applicable only to employees working onsite in designated rural locations.

Position Summary 

The Permanent Supportive Housing & Lead Peer Support Specialist is a hybrid position that blends direct housing navigation and tenancy stabilization services with intensive community-based peer support and system-level leadership. 

This position provides recovery-oriented, trauma-informed, and Housing First services to individuals experiencing chronic homelessness, serious mental illness, and co-occurring substance use disorders across the tri-county region, including Aspen, Basalt, Carbondale, Glenwood Springs, Rifle, and Parachute. 

The role strengthens continuity of care by integrating permanent housing access, peer-driven recovery support, multidisciplinary team collaboration, and community system coordination. 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities 

I. Permanent Supportive Housing Services (Approximately 50%) 

Housing Navigation & Landlord Engagement 

• Develop and maintain relationships with landlords, property managers, housing authorities, and housing organizations. 

• Identify and secure safe, affordable housing opportunities consistent with Housing First principles. 

• Assist participants with housing applications, waitlists, documentation, and rental search processes. 

• Coordinate lease execution and ensure units meet habitability standards. 

• Serve as liaison between landlords and participants and respond promptly to landlord–tenant concerns. 

• Utilize risk mitigation strategies and problem-solving approaches to preserve housing stability. 

Move-In & Tenancy Stabilization 

• Coordinate move-in logistics including utilities, furnishings, and household essentials. 

• Provide ongoing tenancy support including: 

• Lease education and compliance support 

• Rent and utility reminders 

• Unit maintenance guidance 

• Conduct regular home visits to promote housing retention and independent living skills. 

Supportive Services & Care Coordination 

• Conduct needs assessments and assist in development of individualized service plans. 

• Coordinate access to behavioral health, primary care, substance use treatment, employment, and life skills services. 

• Support access to benefits including SSI/SSDI, SNAP, and Medicaid. 

• Promote community integration and natural support development. 

II. Lead Peer Support & Intensive Community-Based Services (Approximately 50%) 

Direct Peer Support & Care Coordination 

• Provide HUB and field-based services to individuals with serious mental illness and co-occurring disorders in homes, shelters, hospitals, and community settings. 

• Support care coordination and collaboration with prescribers. 

• Assist individuals with daily living skills, symptom management, and recovery planning. 

• Participate in crisis intervention, stabilization, and transitions of care, including hospital discharge support. 

• Utilize personal recovery experience, when appropriate, to build hope and model resilience. 

Recovery Coaching & Goal Development 

• Utilize structured goal-setting processes to assist individuals in articulating personal recovery goals and identifying actionable steps. 

• Teach and model effective coping strategies, problem-solving skills, and self-advocacy. 

• Assist clients in identifying and overcoming barriers, including stigma and negative self-talk. 

• Document recovery stage, objectives, interventions, and measurable progress toward goals. 

Lead Peer Responsibilities 

• Provide mentorship, support, and skills development to peer staff and outreach team members. 

• Assist in identifying program environments conducive to recovery and provide peer-informed recommendations. 

• Promote recovery-oriented principles across teams and programs. 

• Maintain knowledge of current behavioral health trends and contribute to peer continuing education efforts. 

III. Community Engagement & System Coordination 

• Attend regular case conferences focused on individuals experiencing homelessness. 

• Identify, coordinate, and communicate with organizations across the continuum of care serving recovery and homeless populations. 

• Identify system gaps and communicate needs to leadership. 

• Provide regular updates to regional homeless collaborative bodies and community alliances. 

• Coordinate with regional health alliances to ensure accuracy of housing and homeless resource information. 

• Conduct outreach to increase community awareness and reduce stigma related to homelessness and recovery services. 

• Assist in community, provider, and consumer education efforts that promote recovery and resilience. 

• Gather participant and partner feedback and provide input to leadership regarding program development and evaluation. 

IV. Documentation, Data & Compliance 

• Maintain timely and accurate documentation in Avatar and HMIS systems. 

• Monitor housing and recovery outcome benchmarks. 

• Participate in audits, reporting, and program evaluation activities. 

• Ensure compliance with HUD, funder, and regulatory requirements. 

Minimum Qualifications 

• Experience working with individuals experiencing homelessness, serious mental illness, and/or substance use disorders. 

• Strong crisis intervention, engagement, and relationship-building skills. 

• Ability to work independently and collaboratively within multidisciplinary teams. 

• Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation. 

Preferred Qualifications 

• Certified Peer Specialist (or ability to obtain certification within required timeframe). 

• Experience with Housing First and Permanent Supportive Housing models. 

• Familiarity with HMIS and behavioral health EHR systems. 

• Knowledge of housing and behavioral health resources within the Roaring Fork and Colorado River Valley region. 

• Experience providing supervision, mentorship, or team leadership. 

Work Environment 

• Significant field-based work across multiple communities. 

• Combination of community-based, office-based, and remote work. 

• May require occasional after-hours response to housing or participant crises. 

Core Practice Framework 

This position operates within: 

• Housing First principles 

• Harm reduction philosophy 

• Trauma-informed care 

• Recovery and resilience-oriented systems of care 

Must already be authorized to work in the US; sponsorships not available.

Salary : $23