Peer Support Specialist

Company Overview

At the Sobering Center, we are dedicated to making a positive impact in the lives of individuals struggling with risky or harmful substance use. Our mission is to divert publicly intoxicated individuals from jail and emergency departments, providing a safe environment, compassionate care, and connection to community resources that support recovery and well-being.

As a Peer Support Specialist, you will play a vital role in supporting clients on their path toward stability, harm reduction, and recovery. Drawing upon your lived experience with substance use and recovery, you will provide hope, mentorship, and non-judgmental support to clients as they sober up and prepare for their next steps.

You will work closely with a multidisciplinary team of medical, clinical, and support professionals to ensure that each client receives trauma-informed, person-centered care.

Provide compassionate, recovery-oriented support to clients during their time with us.

Monitor clients throughout their stay, always using supportive and hopeful communication.

Assist in de-escalating individuals who may be anxious, confused, or agitated during intoxication or withdrawal.

Motivate and encourage clients toward change, harm reduction, and engagement with ongoing treatment or recovery services.

Focus on client strengths and support overall wellness, particularly for clients with co-occurring mental health or medical concerns.

Conduct client screenings and discharge processes in accordance with program policies.

Assist clients with brief interventions, providing support and guidance to address immediate needs and encourage engagement in treatment or recovery services.

Provide referrals and assist clients in connecting with appropriate community resources and treatment providers.

Support clients’ self-determination by reinforcing their decisions about treatment and services.

Conduct follow-up calls if requested as part of a continuum of care and engagement strategy.

Facilitate individual and group peer-support sessions, sharing lived experience appropriately to model healthy recovery behaviors and promote hope.

Provide education and advocacy to clients around recovery topics, wellness, relapse prevention, coping strategies, self-management and community integration.

Maintain accurate and timely documentation related to peer interactions and client progress.

Assist with maintaining a clean and safe environment, including housekeeping tasks (e.g., common areas, laundry, restrooms).

Participate in team meetings, training, and supervision.

Assist clients with Activities of Daily Living (ADLs), including toileting, mobility, and personal hygiene needs, while ensuring their dignity, safety, and collaboration with the medical team.

Perform other duties as assigned in support of the Sobering Center’s mission.

High School Diploma or GED required.

Hold a valid Texas Driver’s License.

Lived experience with substance use and demonstrated recovery stability.

Ability to maintain professional boundaries while using lived experience to engage and support clients.

Valid American Heart Association BLS Certification required within 6 months of hire date.

Basic computer skills (documentation, email, electronic record systems).

Experience working in substance use, behavioral health, or recovery support settings.

Familiarity with trauma-informed care, motivational interviewing, and harm reduction principles.

Knowledge of community recovery resources and social service systems.

Strong interpersonal and communication skills; able to build trust and rapport with diverse populations.

Compassion, patience, and resilience when supporting individuals in crisis.

Ability to respond calmly and effectively to stressful or unpredictable situations.

Knowledge of confidentiality standards (HIPAA, 42 CFR Part
2) and ethical peer support practices.

Organizational skills and ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.

Collaborative team player with a strong commitment to recovery-oriented values.

Ability to assist clients transferring from…