Job Description

Peer Support Specialists (PSS) are individuals who have achieved success in their own recovery journey and use their lived experience to support others seeking recovery from substance use disorders (SUD). As part of an outpatient treatment team, Peer Support Specialists provide encouragement, mentorship, advocacy, and practical support to individuals working toward their recovery goals. Guided by each client's Individual Plan of Care, PSS serve as key agents of hope, empowerment, and change, helping clients build recovery capital, strengthen life skills, and maintain long-term recovery.

Janus of Santa Cruz is seeking qualified Peer Support Specialists to support clients in our outpatient SUD treatment programs, including Intensive Outpatient Treatment (IOT) services. Through shared understanding, mutual respect, and lived experience, Peer Support Specialists help clients engage in treatment, develop healthy recovery supports, and reduce the likelihood of relapse.

Core values of the Peer Support Specialist include: hope, person-centered care, holistic wellness, authenticity, cultural humility, respect, integrity, advocacy, confidentiality, safety, education, mutuality, strength-based practices, resilience, and recovery-oriented support.

Schedule: Monday–Friday, 8:30 AM–5:00 PM, with flexibility to work evenings until 7:30 PM one to two times per week to support evening IOT groups and clients.

Compensation:

• Peer Support Specialist I: $23.50–$24.50/hour
• Peer Support Specialist II: $25.00–$26.00/hour

To qualify for the Peer Support Specialist II rate, candidates must be fully certified as a Peer Support Specialist for at least one year and have a minimum of one year of full-time peer support experience.

Responsibilities

The Peer Support Specialist:

• Provides peer-based recovery support services to individuals participating in outpatient SUD treatment programs.
• Supports clients in accessing, engaging in, and maintaining treatment while recognizing and honoring multiple pathways to self-defined recovery.
• Builds supportive, recovery-focused relationships through empathy, active listening, and shared lived experience.
• Encourages clients to establish and achieve recovery goals, promoting self-advocacy, self-sufficiency, and personal growth.
• Assists clients in identifying and accessing community resources that support recovery, wellness, housing stability, employment, education, healthcare, and healthy nutrition.
• Facilitates client engagement in treatment activities, recovery groups, and recovery-supportive services.
• Provides recovery coaching and mentoring that reinforces hope, resilience, and long-term recovery.
• Helps clients develop practical life skills and healthy coping strategies to support sustained wellness.
• Validates and celebrates client progress while helping individuals navigate setbacks and challenges in recovery.
• Maintains appropriate professional boundaries and protects client confidentiality in accordance with HIPAA and organizational policies.
• Collaborates closely with counselors, case managers, medical staff, and other treatment team members to support coordinated client care.
• Documents peer support activities and assists with data-tracking requirements related to peer support services and program outcomes.
• Consistently responds to changing client needs with flexibility, creativity, and effective problem-solving.
• Supports a trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and recovery-oriented treatment environment.
• Participates in staff meetings, trainings, supervision, and ongoing professional development activities.

Requirements

What You Bring

• Lived experience with recovery from a substance use disorder and a strong commitment to supporting others in recovery.
• California Peer Support Specialist Certification (or ability to obtain certification as required).
• Knowledge of recovery principles, community resources, and substance use disorder treatment services.
• Ability to establish rapport and maintain effective working relationships with diverse populations.
• Strong communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively as part of a multidisciplinary treatment team.
• Experience using electronic health records (EHRs) and basic computer applications preferred.
• Three years clean and valid California driver's license, reliable transportation, and acceptable driving record.

Why Join Janus?

At Janus of Santa Cruz, you'll be part of a mission-driven team dedicated to helping individuals and families build healthier, more fulfilling lives through recovery. We value lived experience, compassionate service, collaboration, and professional growth while making a meaningful impact in our community every day.