Peer Support Specialist

About the role

Volunteers of America Mid-States (VOA) is a non‑profit organization spanning four states that creates positive change in the lives of individuals and communities through a ministry of service. We provide housing for families, veterans, and low‑income seniors, care and support for individuals with developmental disabilities, restorative‑justice programs, and free HIV testing and education. Founded in 1896, VOA continues to be staffed by paid, mission‑driven professionals who value flexibility, teamwork, and fun.

Location: Elizabethtown, KY

Status: Full‑Time, Hourly, Non‑Exempt

Program: Addiction Services

Reports to: Clinical Coordinator

Responsibilities

• Follow through intake procedures.
• Maintain regular/weekly contact with referral sources including regional and local DCBS, probation and parole, hospitals, and detox centers; check for new referrals and update bed census at Freedom House.
• Actively identify and support linkages to community resources (communities of recovery, educational, vocational, social, cultural, spiritual resources, mutual self‑help groups, professional services, etc.).
• Provide vision‑driven hope and encouragement for opportunities at varying levels of involvement in community‑based activities (e.g., work, school, relationships, physical activity, self‑directed hobbies, etc.).
• Develop relationships with community groups/agencies in partnership with others in the agency.
• Maintain project logs, reports and records in appropriate files and databases.
• Provide recovery education to service recipients for every phase of the recovery journey from pre‑recovery engagement through sustained recovery maintenance.
• Assist recovering persons to identify personal interests, goals, strengths and weaknesses regarding recovery.
• Facilitate recovery planning, transitioning from a professionally directed service plan to a self‑directed Recovery Plan.
• Support connections to community‑based, mutual self‑help groups.
• Link individuals to appropriate professional resources when needed.
• Maintain contact by phone and/or email with a recovery person after they leave the program to ensure ongoing success and provide re‑engagement support in partnership with others.
• Provide long‑term engagement, support, and encouragement.
• Perform other duties as directed by the Director and/or Management Staff.
• Develop, implement, and promote ongoing community training opportunities.
• Persistently develop leads for potential new referral partners.

Qualifications

• High School Graduate or GED.
• KY Certified peer support specialist preferred.
• Valid KY driver’s license and current automobile insurance.
• Preferred: 2 years of demonstrated, successful, sustained recovery.

Benefits

• Health and Wellness Employee Assistance Plans (EAP)
• Health and Wellness Program
• Medical Coverage
• Dental Coverage
• Vision Coverage
• Flexible Spending Account
• Health Spending Account
• Short Term Disability
• MetLife Legal Plans
• Financial Wellbeing Competitive Compensation Packages
• Life Insurance (company paid)
• 403b retirement plan with company fund matching
• Employee discounts
• Loan forgiveness options through federal programs (National Health Corp & Public Service Loan Forgiveness)
• All company‑paid benefits and paid time off effective day one
• Work Culture Commitment Committee
• Justice Committee
• Integrity Committee
• Compassion Committee
• Retention Committee
• Training & Development
• VOA LEAD Program – Leadership Development Program
• VOA University – Staff Development
• VOA Academy – Clinical Training and Development

Schedule

Full‑Time, Hourly, Non‑Exempt.