Lead Peer Specialist, Mental Health Services

Vinfen

Lead Peer Specialist leading peer support, supervision, and recovery services. Vinfen provides community-based mental-health and human services across Massachusetts and Connecticut.

Posted 8/25/2026full-timeSomerville • Massachusetts • 🇺🇸 United StatesSenior💰 $53,936 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates expertise in providing peer support to individuals with psychiatric disabilities, utilizing personal recovery experiences to foster trust and engagement. Proficient in implementing recovery-oriented practices, facilitating support groups, and mentoring Team Peer Specialists.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Peer Support ExperienceMotivational InterviewingTrauma-Informed CareCertified Peer SpecialistCommunity Resource Connection

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Intake Process ManagementDocumentation ComplianceCoping Techniques DevelopmentDaily Living Skills TrainingRecovery-Oriented Treatment Planning

Soft Skills

Relationship BuildingTeam LeadershipCoaching and MentoringCommunication SkillsAdvocacy

Tools & Technologies

Office Equipment OperationComputer Proficiency

Certifications & Qualifications

CPR CertificationFirst Aid CertificationCertified Peer SpecialistRecovery Coach Academy Certificate

Industry Keywords

Psychiatric RehabilitationCo-Occurring DisordersHarm ReductionHousing FirstWellness Recovery Action Plan

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Provide leadership to team members with lived experience to promote integration of adults receiving psychiatric rehabilitation services
Liaise between Team Peer Specialists and clinical team members
Initiate and conduct intake processes for referred Persons Served within 72 hours
Welcome, orient, engage, and build trusting relationships with Persons Served
Share personal recovery experiences and provide support, education, and advocacy during service and life transitions
Provide warm handoffs to Team Peer Specialists and maintain contact with people experiencing engagement challenges
Promote access to healthcare, employment services, safe housing, community tenure, self-sufficiency, and service completion
Facilitate Peer Support and Wellness Recovery Action Plan groups
Connect people with recovery tools, resources, community services, support networks, and mutual-help groups
Implement Peer Support-oriented treatment-plan interventions and complete compliant documentation
Help develop self-advocacy, daily living skills, coping techniques, and self-management strategies
Teach, consult, and collaborate with team members to promote recovery-oriented values and practices
Onboard, orient, coach, supervise, mentor, and train new and existing Team Peer Specialists
Model and train staff in motivational interviewing, harm reduction, Housing First, Stages of Change, trauma-informed, culturally competent, strengths-based, and person-centered approaches
Communicate with the Team Leader to review performance and resolve Peer Specialist performance issues
Lead the Team’s Peer Specialists’ efforts to organize and deliver Peer Support
Visit all GLEs and SIE settings regularly to provide Peer Support
Participate in the Lead Peer Specialist Community of Practice Workgroup and contribute feedback to policy and program development
Perform other related duties as assigned

Requirements

What you’ll need

One to three years’ experience providing peer support to people with psychiatric disability and/or co-occurring disorders required
Personal, first-hand experience being a recipient of the mental health system
A high school diploma or equivalent is required
Bachelor’s degree from accredited school or Associate’s degree strongly preferred
In some cases, experience may be substituted for academic training
Driving is required using either a Vinfen van or a personal vehicle
If using a personal vehicle, must possess and maintain adequate insurance and a safe driving record
Valid driver's license must be presented at employment
Must be at least 21 years of age
Must have maintained a valid US driver's license for at least one year
Must pass a driver's screening background check
Ability to meet physical activity, lifting, mobility, communication, vision, and daily-living assistance requirements
Ability to operate a computer and office equipment
CPR required within first two weeks of hire
First Aid required within two weeks of hire
Must become a Certified Peer Specialist OR obtain Connecticut Community for Addiction Recovery “Recovery Coach Academy” certificate of completion within 6 months of hire

Benefits

Comp & perks

USD $3,000.00 sign-on bonus
Consultative and educative supervision, consultation and training from Vinfen’s Director of Recovery Services at least monthly
Continuous role competency development and learning through the Lead Peer Specialist Community of Practice Workgroup