What are the responsibilities and job description for the Certified Peer Specialist for Lancaster county position at Peerstar?
Company Description Peerstar is a pioneering behavioral health organization specializing in peer support services for adults, older adults, transitional-age adults, and individuals with forensic backgrounds. The organization is licensed as a Free Standing Peer Support Program and is an approved provider in 35 counties across the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Peerstar’s model centers on the power of lived experience, connecting individuals facing mental health and recovery challenges with staff who have navigated similar paths. Through in-person and virtual services from Pittsburgh to Philadelphia, Peerstar meets people where they are and supports them in moving toward wellness, independence, and sustained recovery. The organization is committed to empowering recovery and strengthening communities, one person at a time.
Role Description The Certified Peer Specialist for Lancaster County is a Part time, with the potential for fulltime on-site role based in Lancaster, PA. In this position, you will use your own lived experience with mental health and/or substance use recovery to offer hope, encouragement, and practical support to individuals receiving services. Day-to-day responsibilities include meeting with participants in the community or designated locations, modeling recovery-oriented behaviors, assisting individuals in identifying goals, and helping them develop self-advocacy and coping skills. You will collaborate with treatment teams, document services in accordance with program and regulatory standards, and maintain appropriate boundaries and confidentiality. The role also involves participating in supervision and ongoing training, engaging in outreach as needed, and contributing to a positive, person-centered, and trauma-informed service environment.
Qualifications
- Certified Peer Specialist credential (or eligibility to obtain certification in Pennsylvania) and personal lived experience with mental health and/or substance use recovery, with at least one year of demonstrated recovery.
- Strong interpersonal, active listening, and communication skills, with the ability to build trusting, non-judgmental, and culturally responsive relationships.
- Ability to support individuals in community settings, including reliable transportation, a valid driver’s license, and willingness to travel within Lancaster County as needed.
- Organizational and documentation skills, including timely completion of notes, familiarity with basic computer use, and adherence to ethical and regulatory guidelines.
- Ability to work both independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team, with flexibility, professionalism, and respect for confidentiality and boundaries.
- High school diploma or equivalent required; additional training or education in behavioral health, human services, or related fields is preferred.
- Experience in peer support, mental health, substance use services, or community-based work is beneficial, as is knowledge of local community resources in Lancaster County.