Peer Support Advocate

HOURLY WAGE INFORMATION: Pay starts at Maryland minimum wage and may vary based on individual experience. Contact us for more details.

The Peer Support Advocate supports individuals seeking wellness, stability, and recovery by providing person-centered peer support, encouragement, practical assistance, and connection to community resources. This position serves individuals through one-to-one support, outreach, and recovery-oriented services that promote self-defined goals, independence, and meaningful community involvement. The Peer Support Advocate helps create a welcoming, respectful environment that reflects OCA’s mission and values while supporting individuals who may be navigating substance use recovery, mental health challenges, housing instability, employment barriers, family stressors, or other life challenges.

Position Summary

This role is designed for an individual with lived experience in recovery who can use that experience appropriately and professionally to support others. The Peer Support Advocate works with participants to identify strengths, establish goals, increase self-sufficiency, and access services that support recovery and overall wellness. Services are time-limited, individualized, and focused on helping each person build the tools, confidence, and connections needed to move forward in recovery.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Provide one-to-one peer support to individuals working toward self-defined recovery, wellness, and life goals.
• Assist individuals in identifying and prioritizing needs related to housing, benefits, employment, transportation, legal concerns, family needs, and other barriers to stability.
• Connect participants with community resources, natural support, and peer support available through OCA and the broader community.
• Support individuals in strengthening daily living skills, problem-solving abilities, and confidence in managing recovery-related challenges.
• Encourage healthy lifestyle changes through reinforcement of coping skills, stress management, relaxation techniques, assertiveness, conflict resolution, and other wellness practices.
• Participate in outreach activities and community engagement efforts to build awareness of Soul Haven services.
• Provide transportation to appointments related to an individual’s developed plan whenever possible and appropriate.
• Assist individuals with referrals and processes related to employment, work training, housing applications, childcare, legal assistance, and public benefits.
• Promote shared decision-making and person-centered planning in all interactions.
• Educate interested individuals about recovery support opportunities, including the Certified Peer Recovery Specialist (CPRS) pathway when appropriate.
• Maintain timely, accurate, and professional documentation of services, contacts, referrals, and follow-up efforts.
• Support center operations through participation in scheduled activities, meal preparation when applicable, and other assigned responsibilities, including maintaining a clean and welcoming environment.
• Attend required meetings, trainings, and supervision sessions, and follow all OCA policies and procedures.

Professional Skills and Qualities for Success

• Strong interpersonal skills: Ability to build trust, communicate respectfully, and form supportive working relationships with individuals from diverse backgrounds and experiences.
• Professional use of lived experience: Ability to share recovery experience in a purposeful, appropriate, and hopeful way that benefits the individual being served.
• Empathy and active listening: Ability to listen without judgment, validate concerns, and respond in a calm, respectful, and recovery-oriented manner.
• Healthy boundaries: Ability to maintain professional boundaries while remaining supportive, reliable, and person-centered.
• Reliability and accountability: Dependable attendance, punctuality, follow-through, and the ability to complete responsibilities with limited supervision.
• Communication skills: Clear verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to document services accurately and concisely.
• Sound judgment: Ability to respond appropriately to sensitive situations, seek guidance when needed, and make decisions that support safety, professionalism, and participant well-being.
• Initiative and flexibility: Willingness to stay engaged, assist with daily center needs, adapt to changing priorities, and contribute positively to team goals.
• Team collaboration: Ability to work cooperatively with coordinators, staff, community partners, and participants while contributing to a respectful and inclusive workplace.
• Knowledge of recovery support: Understanding community-based recovery resources, peer support principles, and wellness-focused service approaches.
• Cultural sensitivity and respect: Ability to work effectively with individuals experiencing different life challenges, identities, beliefs, and stages of recovery.
• Commitment to growth: Willingness to participate in training, pursue skill development, and strengthen knowledge related to peer recovery support and professional practice.

Minimum Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Lived personal experience overcoming significant life challenges and currently being in a stable place in one’s own recovery to assist others in a professional capacity.
• Certified Peer Recovery Specialist (CPRS) certification preferred but not required; willingness to pursue CPRS is strongly desired.
• Dependable work history with professional references.
• Ability to complete required onboarding documentation, including proof of authorization to work in the United States.
• Willingness to submit to state and federal background checks following a conditional offer of employment.
• Valid driver’s license is preferred but not required.
• Basic computer skills, including the ability to use Microsoft Word and other routine office systems; willingness to learn required software and timekeeping systems.

Work Schedule and Physical Requirements

This position generally requires a commitment of 20 to 40 hours per week based on program needs. The role may include community-based work, participant transportation, outreach activities, light snack preparation, routine cleaning tasks, and lifting items weighing approximately 40 to 50 pounds when necessary.

The Peer Support Advocate is expected to represent the Office of Consumer Advocates with professionalism, respect, and a strong commitment to recovery-oriented services. This job description is intended to outline the general nature and level of work performed and is not an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or qualifications. Additional duties may be assigned to meet program and organizational needs.

PTO: Personal, Sick, Vacation, Bereavement upon successful completion of probationary period. The Office of Consumer Advocates (OCA) participates in the MarylandSaves retirement program which is voluntary to employees. OCA is also a designated Maryland Recovery Friendly Workplace Employer.