Peer Support Specialist

Peer Support Specialist

Community-driven healthcare rooted in the strength and resilience of rural Alaska.

Position Summary

Sunshine Community Health Center (SCHC) is seeking a Peer Support Specialist to provide recovery-oriented support to individuals with substance use disorders. Using their own lived experience, the Peer Support Specialist offers hope, motivation, encouragement, and practical support to individuals working toward recovery goals.

This position builds supportive relationships based on shared experience and mutual respect, helps individuals navigate treatment and community resources, participates in peer-led support activities, and works collaboratively with clinical staff, Community Health Workers, and other members of the care team.

The Peer Support Specialist also supports advocacy, resource connection, documentation, and recovery-focused programming while maintaining appropriate professional boundaries, confidentiality, and respect for each individual's choices and goals.

Required Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Lived experience relevant to recovery from substance use and/or mental health challenges, with the ability to use that experience appropriately in a peer support role.
• Certification as a Peer Support Specialist or willingness to obtain certification within six months of hire.
• Ability to establish supportive, respectful relationships with individuals receiving services.
• Strong communication, listening, advocacy, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality, appropriate boundaries, and professional standards.
• Ability to work collaboratively with clinical staff and other members of an interdisciplinary care team.
• Ability to maintain accurate and timely documentation of peer support activities.

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous experience in peer support, recovery services, advocacy, behavioral health, or a related field.
• Experience helping individuals navigate behavioral health, substance use treatment, healthcare, or community resource systems.
• Experience facilitating peer support groups, educational activities, or recovery-focused programming.
• Familiarity with community resources and social support services.
• Bilingual or multilingual capabilities.

Work Environment & Travel

This position works in a healthcare and behavioral health environment and regularly interacts with patients, clinical staff, Community Health Workers, and community partners. The role may include individual peer support, group activities, resource coordination, and participation in interdisciplinary team meetings. Travel between SCHC worksites or within the communities we serve may be required based on organizational needs.

Equal Opportunity Employer

SCHC is an Equal Opportunity institution and does not discriminate against any person in employment or in admission, treatment, or participation in its programs and benefits based on race, color, religion, sex, including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability or genetic information, veteran status, or any other protected class.