Community Peer Recovery Coach

Job Summary

Serves as a key connector within the Crisis Response Unit (CRU), linking emergency services, mental health providers, social service agencies, law enforcement, healthcare systems, and community partners. Provides real-time, recovery-oriented support to individuals experiencing mental health crises, substance use challenges, or urgent social needs. Delivers peer-based engagement grounded in lived experience, facilitates warm handoffs, coordinates care, and advocates for appropriate, trauma-informed interventions that support diversion from the justice system and connection to long-term recovery resources. 

Key Responsibilities

Collaboration & Coordination (35%)

• Work directly with CRU officers during scheduled field times (up to 4 days per week) as identified by the Sergeant and Alliance Supervisor
• Coordinate client care with assigned Co-Responder and participate in staff meetings, case reviews, and community collaborations
• Build and maintain law enforcement partnerships, bridging communication between local and county agencies
• Support crisis response strategies that prioritize de-escalation and appropriate diversion from incarceration or hospitalization
• Maintain professionalism in all interactions with partners, clients, and community stakeholders

Client Engagement & Support (35%)

• Provide peer-based support using lived experience to build trust, rapport, and engagement
• Connect individuals and families to behavioral health, substance use, housing, employment, and social service resources
• Assist with crisis stabilization, including de-escalation and grounding techniques
• Maintain current knowledge of community resources, eligibility requirements, and referral pathways
• Provide on-call support through designated Alliance system
• Work in clinical settings as required, including SUD and MAT environments, providing peer engagement, advocacy, and recovery support
• Support community reintegration for individuals transitioning from crisis, hospital, or justice system settings, and assist in building informal support networks beyond clinical intervention periods

Program Support & Implementation (20%)

• Support recovery programs including SMART Recovery and Resolve trainings
• Provide follow-up support following overdose incidents, crisis encounters, or emergency interventions
• Maintain accurate and timely documentation in participant tracker
• Assist in ensuring continuity of care across multiple systems and providers

Community & Organizational Engagement (10%)

• Represent the Alliance with professionalism and integrity in all public-facing activities
• Support partnership development with Oakland County Sheriff's Office and regional partners
• Share lived experience appropriately to support education, stigma reduction, and community awareness
• Provide updates, reports, and outcome data as required by Alliance leadership

*The company reserves the right to add or change duties at any time.

Job Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s degree preferred
• Experience: 3-5 years of related experience in behavioral health, peer support, social services, or community-based work preferred
• Peer Recovery Coach Certification required
• Minimum of four (4) years continuous recovery from substance use disorder

Working Conditions

• Combination of office, field-based, clinical, and community settings
• Regular travel required to client homes, clinics, and community locations
• Exposure to emotionally intense, crisis-driven environments
• Flexible schedule including evenings, weekends, and on-call responsibilities
• Ability to lift and transport materials up to 40 lbs for outreach and community events
• Valid Michigan driver’s license, insurance, and access to reliable transportation required

Core Skills & Competencies

• Strong understanding of substance use disorders, mental health, and recovery systems
• Experience with community organizing and service coordination
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in high-pressure environments
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and basic data tracking systems
• Cultural humility and ability to engage diverse populations
• Strong boundaries, professionalism, and emotional regulation in crisis settings
• Knowledge of trauma-informed care, recovery-oriented systems of care, and harm reduction principles
• Ability to represent the organization with integrity in public and cross-system environments

All positions adhere to the following performance expectations:

• Perform job duties and responsibilities in a professional manner at all times and comply with the standards set forth in the Alliance Employee Handbook.
• Support the mission of the Alliance with integrity and act as an ambassador
• Demonstrate knowledge of Recovery Oriented Systems of Care, principles of trauma informed care and principles of cultural competency.
• Maintain excellence in all work efforts, presentation, attitude, and practice in a manner that demonstrates loyalty to the organization, integrity in the process, and honor to all ethical, legal/policy, knowledge-base, resources, and the purpose and intent of the organization.
• Demonstrate knowledge and skills in the effective and efficient use of human, technical, and financial resources of the organization.
• Perform all job duties in accordance with applicable safety, health and accessibility policies and procedures.
• Ability to work in a mid-level noise collaborative environment.

• Ability to maintain normal office hours at the Alliance site as well as hours based on program need including some evenings and weekends.

The Alliance of Coalitions for Healthy Communities is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.