(2074) Mental Health Peer Specialist

About the role

The Mental Health Peer Specialist uses lived experience and peer support skills to help individuals identify and work toward their own needs, preferences, and recovery goals. This full-time position primarily supports individuals at the Bastrop State Hospital Stepdown Home as they transition from a higher level of care to community living. The specialist builds trust, promotes hope and independence, and helps individuals develop recovery skills, daily routines, and community connections. The specialist also provides peer services through BTCS’s outpatient mental health programs for individuals experiencing struggles with their mental health. Through trusting relationships and appropriate use of lived experience, the specialist helps individuals identify their own recovery goals, engage in services, strengthen coping and wellness skills, and connect with supports that matter to them. The specialist facilitates individual and group services, which may include peer support, person-centered planning, Wellness Recovery Action Planning (WRAP), Whole Health Action Management (WHAM), Seeking Safety, and Recovery Dialogue, as appropriate to the individual’s goals and the specialist’s training. The specialist completes timely, accurate documentation of services in the electronic health record, including documentation required to support billing when applicable. As part of a multidisciplinary team, the specialist works closely with case managers, nursing staff, counselors, management, and community partners to support continuity of care. The role requires strong communication skills, the ability to respond calmly to individuals experiencing distress, sound professional boundaries, and participation in team meetings, peer supervision, and training. The specialist may also assist with program development and special projects.

Responsibilities

• Support individuals in developing and following their person-centered recovery plans, including connecting them with internal services, community resources, and other supports they choose.
• Coordinate with the treatment team during transitions in care and changes in peer support needs, while advocating for each individual’s stated goals and preferences.
• Record required service details, including start and stop times, encounter type, and the support provided.
• Complete and approve documentation within 24 hours of service delivery in accordance with BTCS, contract, and billing requirements.
• Protect confidential information and communicate with individuals served, families when appropriate, staff, and community partners in accordance with privacy requirements.
• Maintain required certifications and complete assigned training.
• Participate in quality improvement activities and provide team coverage as assigned within the peer specialist role.

Qualifications

Minimum qualifications: High school diploma or GED and at least 18 years of age. Lived experience with a mental health condition and the ability to use that experience appropriately to support others in recovery. Current Texas Mental Health Peer Specialist (MHPS) certification, including initial certification with required supervised experience. Ability to engage individuals with significant mental health needs, maintain professional boundaries, respond calmly during distress, and work collaboratively with a multidisciplinary team. Ability to write clear, accurate service notes and use an electronic health record. Ability to work onsite and in the community. Ability to meet background check and BTCS employment requirements. A valid Texas driver’s license is required, along with the ability to maintain approved driver status throughout employment.

Preferred qualifications: 6 months experience in community behavioral health setting. Recovery Support Peer Specialist (RSPS) certification. Bilingual proficiency in Spanish is highly valued. Bachelor’s degree in human services field. Candidates whose degree is not in Human Services must have completed a minimum of 24 credit hours in a human services-related field.

Pay

Hourly salary range: $17.30 – $21.05. Differential additions: $1.00 per hour for 2 years previous experience, $1.00 per hour for 2 years BTCS tenure, $0.75 per hour for bilingual proficiency, $1.00 per hour for Career Ladder Specialty. Annual salary range: $35,984.00 – $43,784.00.

Schedule

Full-time, 40‑hour‑per‑week onsite position with flexible hours Monday through Friday.

Benefits

Excellent benefits package and generous leave accruals. See additional details on rewards and compensation.