New

Peer Support Specialist, Veteran Support

Heritage Behavioral Health Center
18 To 24 (USD) Hourly
life insurance, tuition assistance, 401(k)
United States, Illinois, Decatur
Po Box 710 (Show on map)
Aug 20, 2025
Excitement abounds at Heritage Behavioral Health Center! We are a mission-driven Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic located in Decatur, Illinois who is dedicated to improving mental health and substance use care to individuals in a multi-county area. We recognize that all individuals at our organization have an impact on patient care - regardless of the position they hold. Why join us? We offer a collaborative work environment, opportunities for professional growth, and a comprehensive benefits package. We are expanding our primary care, mental health and substance use services to individuals in Central Illinois and beyond and are looking for dedicated staff to meet the needs of our clientele. A new salary structure is now in place! Our salaries have been updated and are competitive at both the state and national levels with wonderful benefits. Full-time employees receive 56 paid days off during their 1st year of employment (this includes every other Friday off PAID for your wellness needs). This increases to 61 days the 2nd year and continues to increase with tenure. We have expanded our employee insurance benefit offerings and made them more affordable. At Heritage, we believe in taking care of our staff's needs so that they can concentrate on taking care of the needs of the individuals we serve. Our staff are our greatest asset, and we treat them as such! We are pleased to present the following position for your consideration: Overview: Peer Support Specialist, Veteran The Veteran Peer Support Specialist is a vital member of the behavioral health team, using their lived experience as a Veteran to support other Veterans in their recovery journey. Through shared understanding, respect, and mutual empowerment, the Veteran Peer Support Specialist helps instill hope, build connection, and support individuals in achieving their recovery goals. This role promotes engagement in services, provides mentorship, and encourages self-advocacy, wellness, and resilience. This position requires lived experience as a Veteran and a willingness to share personal experiences in recovery to support and inspire others. The ideal candidate will demonstrate a commitment to recovery principles and a passion for helping fellow Veterans navigate mental health, substance use, and community support systems. Core Responsibilities Include: Use personal experiences as a Veteran in recovery to build trust, foster connection, and support Veteran clients in achieving wellness. * Provide peer-based mentoring, advocacy, and support to Veterans receiving behavioral health services. * Assist Veterans in identifying goals, accessing resources, and navigating behavioral health, VA, and community service systems. * Facilitate or co-facilitate recovery-focused groups, including peer-led support groups and wellness activities. * Encourage Veterans to engage in services, maintain treatment plans, and develop individualized recovery goals. * Collaborate with clinical and care coordination staff to ensure Veterans receive holistic and person-centered support. * Support Veterans in developing coping skills, enhancing resilience, and exploring personal strengths and interests. * Advocate for the needs of Veteran clients and help reduce barriers to accessing care. * Participate in interdisciplinary team meetings to provide input from a peer perspective. * Maintain documentation in accordance with program and agency standards. * Engage in supervision and training to support professional development and successful CRSS attainment. * Complete all required reporting, training, and administrative duties in a timely and professional manner. * Perform other duties as assigned or agreed upon with supervisor. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: Knowledge: * Recovery principles and the role of peer support in behavioral health. * Veteran-specific behavioral health needs and the impact of military service. * Community, VA, and Veteran-specific resources and supports. * Basic understanding of mental health, substance use, and trauma-informed care. * Importance of confidentiality, ethics, and professional boundaries. Skills: * Strong interpersonal communication and active listening skills. * Ability to build rapport through empathy, honesty, and shared experience. * Effective storytelling to convey recovery messages and inspire hope. * Group facilitation and peer mentoring skills. * Time management and documentation skills. Abilities: * Willingness to share personal recovery experiences in a purposeful and appropriate manner. * Comfort working with individuals from diverse backgrounds and experiences. * Ability to work both independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team. * Commitment to professional development, including CRSS certification within the required timeframe. * Ability to maintain appropriate boundaries and uphold peer support values. * Ability to lift 10 pounds. Education and Experience: * High school diploma or equivalent * A valid driver's license, reliable means of transportation, and proof of automobile insurance coverage are required. * Lived experience as a Veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces. * Preferred: Experience providing peer support services or working in a behavioral health setting. * Willingness and ability to obtain the Certified Recovery Support Specialist (CRSS) credential within 12 months of hire. Training and supervision will be provided to support this goal. Salary Range: $37,440-$56,160 ($18.00 - $27.00 per hour) (dependent on education and experience) Heritage also offers the following with this position: Generous vacation, sick and personal leave WELLNESS days - 26 days per year (every other Friday off paid) Paid holidays - 9 in 2024 Health Club/Fitness Reimbursement Employee Assistance Program Continuing education opportunities Tuition assistance program Agency provided life insurance and short-term disability policies Retirement plans (401k and Roth) Optional insurance benefits, including health, dental, vision, flex spending accounts (healthcare, dependent care), and additional life insurance. (The health insurance benefit includes substantial agency contribution towards the cost.) We are a National Health Service Corp site which gives staff access to the National Health Service Corp federal student loan forgiveness program (LCPC, LCSW, MD, APN, RN, CADC, LSW, and LPC individuals). For more information, visit www.hrsa.gov.