Certified Peer Engagement Associate - Kansas City Public Library - FT (Mon-Fri, 9:00am - 5:30pm)

About the role

As a Certified Peer Specialist, you’ll play a key role in supporting clients navigating behavioral health and substance use disorders, using your lived experience to inspire hope, connect clients to vital services, and help them achieve their goals. This dynamic, team‑based role blends peer support, crisis intervention, and personalized care coordination within various branches of the Kansas City Public Library System.

The Library Peer Specialist Program is a partnership between University Health and the Kansas City Public Library. Peers are assigned to library branches to reduce barriers to library services through assertive outreach, restorative practices, trauma‑informed approaches, de‑escalation techniques, crisis intervention, and resource navigation. They provide non‑clinical, strengths‑based support by sharing their recovery journey. The Library Peer is an employee of University Health, supervised by a University Health Peer Supervisor, and is an active member of the Library Peer Program interdisciplinary team, which includes the library’s Community Resources team, branch leadership, and Safety and Security Manager.

Responsibilities

• Conduct patron and staff engagement via regular rounding within the library to build relationships, focusing on difficult‑to‑engage patrons, de‑escalation, and resource referrals.
• Remain visible and accessible to patrons and staff while on duty.
• Act as a resource and role model for library staff, supporting effective customer interactions using de‑escalation techniques and trauma‑informed approaches.
• Collaborate daily with library branch staff and security in serving patrons facing life challenges.
• Demonstrate good boundaries regarding confidentiality and personal relationships, while being able to share your personal recovery story.
• Complete administrative tasks as required, including timesheets, basic documentation, and Peer check‑ins.

Minimum Qualifications

• High School Degree or GED.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to work with multicultural staff and clientele.
• Personal lived experience with recovery from a behavioral health and/or substance use disorder.
• CPS credential (Certified Peer Specialist) through the Missouri Credentialing Board, or obtain the credential within 9 months of hire; certification must remain current.
• Valid driver’s license and reliable, insured transportation for work‑related travel.

Preferred Qualifications

• Two to four years of direct behavioral health experience in coaching, support, behavioral intervention, and working on interdisciplinary teams.
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) candidates are preferred.

Employment Conditions

The Library Peer position offers autonomy with support and guidance from the Peer Supervisor and the library’s interdisciplinary team. Work is performed primarily in library branches that serve as community hubs; work areas are often busy, noisy, irregular, unpredictable, and can be stressful at times.

Schedule

Work schedule: 9:00 AM – 5:30 PM, Monday–Friday; 40 hours per week.