Peer Support Specialist

Salary : $46,732.31 - $68,934.80 Annually

Location : 1919 University Avenue (Saint Paul), MN

Job Type : Full Time

Job Number : 2024-01083

Department : 68L01-SSD / AS / AMH / TreatmentCourt

Opening Date : 01 / 14 / 2025

Closing Date : 1 / 29 / 2025 11 : 59 PM Central

Union : Local 151 - Human Services

FLSA Status : nonexempt

Basic Function

To provide peer support to clients with serious mental illness or serious and persistent mental illness and substance use disorders. These clients may be served by the Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) Team, Adult Mental Health Targeted Case Management, Ramsey County Mental Health Center, Adult Mental Health Crisis, or by other programs provided by Ramsey County. This position promotes socialization, recovery, self-sufficiency, self-advocacy, development of natural supports, and maintenance of skills learned in other support services. The Certified Peer Recovery Specialist serves as an advocate and liaison for and on behalf of clients' rights and benefits, provides expertise and consultation from a mental health / substance use consumer perspective to the entire staff; and perform related duties as assigned.

Examples of Work Performed

• Assist clients with illness management and recovery and all aspects of psychiatric rehabilitation by modeling wellness, personal responsibility, self-advocacy, and hopefulness through the sharing of his or her story, role modeling how the needs of individuals can be respectfully met, and how a belief in ones' self and recovery is maintained.
• Educate clinical and other staff about the recovery process and the damaging role that stigma can play in undermining recovery.
• Help staff to better understand and empathize with each client's unique experience and perceptions.
• Provide guidance and encouragement to clients to actively participate in their own recovery.
• Teach clients self-advocacy skills.
• Promote personal growth and development with mental health and substance abuse issues.
• Assist, teach, and support clients regarding activities of daily living, vocational skills, housing access, maintaining financial supports, and utilizing buses and other transportation in the community.
• Provide side-by-side support, coaching and encouragement to help clients socialize and carry out leisure-time activities on evenings, weekends, and holidays. Organize and lead individual and group social and recreational activities and provide other opportunities to practice social skills.
• Link clients to other external sources of help, when needed.
• Co-facilitate Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP) groups and other groups that facilitate recovery.
• Assist clients in identifying with other consumers who have done well in recovery.
• When appropriate, convey to clients his / her own experiences with mental illness and recovery.
• Assist clients in using holistic / alternative healing practices, when applicable, for their psychiatric condition.
• Attend and participate in all scheduled team meetings.

The work assigned to a position in this classification may not include all possible tasks in this description and does not limit the assignment of any additional tasks in this classification. Regular attendance according to the position's management approved work schedule is required.)

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS : 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 12.

Minimum Qualifications

Education : High School Diploma or the equivalent.

Experience : None.

Substitution : None.

Certification / Licensure : Credentialed as a MN Department of Human Services Certified Peer Specialist through a State endorsed program. Must have a valid class D driver's license and access to a vehicle.

Exam / Screening Process Information

This examination process will consist of the following sections with each section weighted as indicated :

The examination for Peer Support Specialist will consist of a training and experience rating, comprised of the questions in the attached supplemental questionnaire. Not all applicants who meet the minimum qualifications will pass the training and experience rating. The rating on this supplemental questionnaire will depend your answers to the questions - do not mark "see resume" or "see work history" as a response. Please answer all your questions clearly and completely. Failure to respond could affect your score and final rank on this examination.

Eligible List : The names of all applicants who pass the examination / screening process, and file a properly completed application, shall be placed on the eligible list for employment as a Peer Support Specialist. This list will be certified to the appointing authority which may use this list to fill a vacancy. Candidates will remain on the list for three months or until hired, whichever occurs first. A notice will be sent to applicants at the time the eligible list is posted, informing them that the list has been posted and their rank on the list.

The names of all applicants who pass the examination with a score of 35 or higher will be forwarded to the department for further consideration.

Veteran's Preference : This is a classified position requiring an open, competitive selection process. Veteran's Preference points will be applied after a candidate passes the examination process. Applicants who are eligible for veteran's preference should update their veteran's DD214, and other supporting documents, and submit them as an attachment at the time of application.

Criminal Background Checks : All employment offers are conditioned upon the applicant passing a criminal background check. Convictions are not an automatic bar to employment. Each case is considered on its individual merits and the type of work sought. However, making false statements or withholding information will cause you to be barred from employment, or removed from employment.

E-Verify Participation : Ramsey County participates in the federal E-Verify program. This means that Ramsey County will provide the Social Security Administration (SSA) and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), with information from each new employee's Form I-9 to confirm work authorization. If the Government cannot confirm that you are authorized to work, Ramsey County is required to give you written instructions and an opportunity to contact DHS and / or the SSA before taking adverse action against you, including terminating your employment. Employers may not use E-Verify to pre-screen job applicants and may not limit or influence the choice of documents you present for use on the Form I-9.

Equal Opportunity Employer : Ramsey County provides equal access to employment, programs and services without regard to race, color, creed, religion, age, sex (except when sex is a Bona Fide Occupational Qualification), disability, marital status, sexual orientation or gender identity, public assistance or national origin.

Ramsey County is deeply committed to advancing racial equity and promoting diversity and inclusion within all areas of its workforce. The county strives being equitable, inclusive, transparent, respectful, and impactful in how we serve and engage with residents, as well as Ramsey County employees. Advancing racial equity ensures all people who need access to opportunities and services we provide, will receive them. Racial equity is achieved when race can no longer be used to predict life outcomes, and outcomes for all are improved.

To print a paper application for this posting click Paper Application. You will need to print this posting and answer the supplemental questions associated with this exam and submit them with your completed paper application.

For further information regarding this posting, please contact

Ramsey County provides a wide range of employee benefits to support health, well-being, and work / life balance. Benefits eligibility can vary depending on union status / contract language. A summary of benefits is provided below. Detailed information is available for review at

The County contributes a bargained percentage to the medical and dental monthly premium

Pre-tax medical, dental, vision monthly premium deduction option

Vacation hours, accrued based on years of service, ranging from 12 to 25 days per year (pro-rated for part-time employees)

Pension - The county contributes at least 7.5% of your salary to your pension, depending on bargaining unit. Unlike other retirement investments, pension payments are a lifetime benefit once you start collecting payments

Fully funded Metropass.

Employee assistance program, including telephone counseling, financial counseling, rideshare benefits, etc.

County provided Basic Life coverage - 1x annual salary, minimum $10,000 up to a maximum of $50,000. Optional supplemental coverage available

Tuition reimbursement, up to $4,000 per year

For information about Ramsey County's 2025 benefits, visit :

Each applicant must complete this supplemental questionnaire as a part of the application screening process. The supplemental questionnaire will be used as a scored evaluation of your knowledge, skills and experience. Provide complete information for each question. Do not write "see resume" as it is not an acceptable answer. The experiences you indicate in your responses will be reviewed and used to determine your eligibility to move forward in the selection process.

Have you completed or currently participating in any of the following Public Sector Partnership Programs at Ramsey County?Examples may include a program in partnership with HIRED, Project for Pride in Living (PPL), Ramsey County Workforce Solutions, or an internship (including Right Track Plus), fellowship, limited duration assignment, provisional assignment, temporary opportunity or participating in a work experience like the Young Adult Career Academy, or job shadow experience. Answer No if none of the above.

Do you have or have you ever held a professional license?

Please list your highest level of education completed. Include the name of the institution, degree earned, and date of completion.If you do not have a degree / college credits, please write N / A in the space below. Do not write see resume or see application.

Have you successfully completed a Certified Peer Specialist program? PLEASE NOTE : Applicants who have not completed the MN Department of Human Services Certified Peer Specialist program are not eligible to apply.

If you answered "Yes" you MUST attach a copy of your current credential / certificate for Certified Peer Specialist This documentation MUST be attached or uploaded to your applicant profile at the time of submitting your application or you will not be considered further for this position.

Do you have a valid class D driver's license and access to a vehicle?

How many years of experience navigating inpatient and / or outpatient mental health care do you have?

Provide information about when and where you gained the experience you indicated in the previous question. Include the name of the organization and your title. If you did not indicate performing any of the work listed, type "N / A" in the space below.

How many years of experience navigating substance use disorder services do you have?

Provide information about when and where you gained the experience you indicated in the previous question. Include the name of the organization and your title. If you did not indicate performing any of the work listed, type "N / A" in the space below.

How many years of experience accessing financial benefits (cash assistance, SSI, food, housing subsidies, etc.) do you have?

Provide information about when and where you gained the experience you indicated in the previous question. Include the name of the organization and your title. If you did not indicate performing any of the work listed, type "N / A" in the space below.

How many years of experience do you have working with clients diagnosed with mental illness and substance use disorder?

Provide information about when and where you gained the experience you indicated in the previous question. Include the name of the organization and your title. If you did not indicate performing any of the work listed, type "N / A" in the space below.

Required Question

Salary : $46,732 - $68,935