Job Description

The Certified Peer Support Specialist at the Outreach Center plays a key role in creating a welcoming, recovery-oriented environment for clients and community members. This position blends day-to-day ORC responsibilities with direct peer support, using lived experience to build connection, offer encouragement, and model hope. The Peer Support Specialist helps individuals develop practical coping skills, navigate resources, and work toward their personal goals. Applicants must be a Certified Peer Support Specialist or actively working toward certification and be eligible to work as a Mental Health Practitioner.

Outreach Center Peer Support Specialist

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Union Category: XIa or XIb

Hours: Full Time

Location: 24 10

th

Street North

Cloquet, MN 55720

Wage: $18.58 - $24.98 (Dependent Upon Experience)

Benefit Eligibility: Yes

Summary:

The Certified Peer Support Specialist at the Outreach Center plays a key role in creating a welcoming, recovery-oriented environment for clients and community members. This position blends day-to-day ORC responsibilities with direct peer support, using lived experience to build connection, offer encouragement, and model hope. The Peer Support Specialist helps individuals develop practical coping skills, navigate resources, and work toward their personal goals. Applicants must be a Certified Peer Support Specialist or actively working toward certification and be eligible to work as a Mental Health Practitioner.

Duties:

Open and staff the Outreach Center Monday through Thursday. Welcome clients and community members, answer phones, schedule appointments, process referrals, and provide general support to providers.


Support with day-to-day ORC operations, including data entry, maintaining the scheduling system, coordinating meals and activities, organizing volunteer schedules, and assisting with ordering food and supplies.


Maintain a caseload outside of ORC open hours, providing peer support services in the clinic or community.


Support the Community Support Program and other Brightwater programs by promoting a strong culture of recovery and person-centered care.


Use lived experience to teach coping skills, relapse-prevention strategies, and basic daily-living skills.


Assess client needs and provide appropriate peer-based interventions.


Complete functional assessments, treatment plans, daily progress notes, and other required documentation accurately and on time.


Build trusting peer relationships while keeping healthy boundaries. Work well with colleagues and engage respectfully with diverse populations.


Demonstrate solid communication, organization, and writing skills, and be able to network with community resources as needed.

Minimum Qualifications:

Certified by the Minnesota Department of Human Services as a Certified Peer Support Specialist through completion of the State of Minnesota Certified Peer Specialist Training or actively working toward certification.


Must meet the qualifications of a Mental Health Practitioner in Minnesota Statute 2451.04


+ Bachelor's degree in human services or related field and 2,000 hours of mental health experience. + - OR high school diploma and 6,000 hours of mental health experience.

The applicant has identified self as a person who has direct personal experience living with a mental illness and/or chemical dependency.


Must have valid driver's license, reliable transportation, current proof of vehicle registration and ability to pass DMV/Criminal background check.

Brightwater Health Advantage:

Flexible Scheduling


Paid Supervision during licensure.


Extensive training and certifications, including EMDR, TF-CBT, DBT, ECMH, and many more.


Personal Training/License renewal budget.


Ability to work collaboratively with a team and community partners.


Unparalleled opportunity for growth and advancement in largest, most comprehensive behavioral health clinic north of the Twin Cities


Emphasis on life/work balance. Start working smarter, not longer. Have the opportunity to work 36 hours every week while still getting paid for 40 hours worked.


Ability to work collaboratively with team and community partners.


Full Benefit Package including; Vacation Time, Sick Time, Personal Time, 11 paid Holidays per calendar year, Medical Insurance, Dental Insurance, Vision Insurance, Life Insurance, AD&D Insurance, Long Term Disability, Employee Assistance Program, and an Employer Matched 401K.

Obtaining Applications

Apply online at

https://brightwaterhealth.org/

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Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer


Minorities Encouraged to Apply

Minimum Qualifications:

Certified by the Minnesota Department of Human Services as a Certified Peer Support Specialist through completion of the State of Minnesota Certified Peer Specialist Training or actively working toward certification.


Must meet the qualifications of a Mental Health Practitioner in Minnesota Statute 2451.04


+ Bachelor's degree in human services or related field and 2,000 hours of mental health experience. + - OR high school diploma and 6,000 hours of mental health experience.

The applicant has identified self as a person who has direct personal experience living with a mental illness and/or chemical dependency.


Must have valid driver's license, reliable transportation, current proof of vehicle registration and ability to pass DMV/Criminal background check.