Peer Support Specialist Supervisor
NewBe an early applicantPeer Support Specialist Supervisor
Help develop peer leaders while making a meaningful difference for youth and young adults.
Denali Family Services is looking for a Peer Support Specialist Supervisor to provide leadership, coaching, and support to our team of Peer Support Specialists serving youth and young adults in Anchorage and Wasilla.
This is a great opportunity for someone who enjoys developing people, building strong teams, and working directly with young people. The Peer Support Specialist Supervisor plays an important role in ensuring our Peer Support Specialists have the training, guidance, scheduling, and support they need to be successful while also maintaining a small caseload and staying connected to the youth we serve.
The position works closely with the TIP Supervisor and other members of the treatment team to support implementation of the Transition to Independence Process (TIP) and help youth and young adults build the skills, confidence, and connections needed to move toward greater independence.
What You'll Do
Lead and Develop a Peer Support Team
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Supervise a team of approximately 4–8 Peer Support Specialists working in Anchorage and Wasilla.
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Meet individually with each Peer Support Specialist for weekly supervision, coaching, and professional development.
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Help staff recognize and build upon their strengths while providing constructive feedback, guidance, and problem-solving support.
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Conduct quarterly field observations to see Peer Support Specialists working directly with youth and provide meaningful, practical feedback.
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Support employee performance through coaching, performance evaluations, and progressive discipline when necessary.
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Participate in interviewing and selecting Peer Support Specialists who demonstrate the skills and qualities needed to succeed in peer support work.
Coordinate Services
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Develop and maintain the weekly Peer Support Specialist schedule, adjusting assignments as youth and program needs change.
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Assign and coordinate Peer Support Specialist responsibilities and workloads.
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Review new referrals with the TIP Supervisor and help determine service fit, staff availability, and appropriate assignments.
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Ensure Peer Support Specialists maintain agency and position requirements, including documentation standards, required credentials, vehicle and insurance requirements, and schedules that meet the needs of youth and families.
Train and Support Your Team
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Provide onboarding and ongoing training to Peer Support Specialists.
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Coach staff in the TIP model, professionalism, documentation, boundaries, communication, and other competencies needed for effective peer support.
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Reinforce strong practices through observation, feedback, modeling, and hands-on coaching.
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Help staff work through challenging situations while recognizing successes and progress with the youth they support.
Stay Connected to the Work
This isn't a desk-only supervisory position. The Peer Support Specialist Supervisor maintains a small caseload of youth, allowing the supervisor to remain actively connected to direct service work and the experiences of the team.
The position maintains a 30% productivity expectation through direct service activities.
Help Create Meaningful Experiences for Youth
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Co-plan TIP activities such as outings, workshops, overnight activities, and other programming.
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Help lead TIP activities and events when needed.
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Collaborate with youth, families, natural supports, foster families, community partners, and other agencies to strengthen the support available to young people.
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Represent Peer Support Services on relevant agency and community committees.
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Provide coverage for the TIP Supervisor at community meetings or events when assigned.
What Makes This Role Different
This position combines leadership, coaching, program coordination, and direct service.
You'll have the opportunity to:
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Develop and mentor Peer Support Specialists.
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Help shape a growing peer support program.
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Work directly with youth and young adults.
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Partner with behavioral health professionals and community organizations.
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Help young people develop the skills and supports they need as they transition toward adulthood and greater independence.
If you're a collaborative leader who enjoys helping others grow and believes in the value of lived experience and peer support, we'd like to hear from you.
This position is responsible for maintaining the confidentiality and privacy of protected health information and following all applicable agency policies, procedures, and HIPAA requirements.
Minimum Qualifications:
An Associate’s degree from an accredited college or university in social work, human services, psychology, or a closely related field and two (2) years professional experience in family and children’s services that included working with people identified as developmentally disabled and/or as severely emotionally disturbed (SED). One (1) year of experience must have included lead or supervisory responsibility.
Additional requirements:
- Competence to provide peer support services by virtue of a) having experienced or witnessed behavioral health issues in your life or in your family and b) a willingness to share this experience to support others.
- Understanding of the behavioral health service system based on your experience as a consumer or family member.
Physical Requirements:
- Ability to perform sedentary work as well as to be engaged in physical exercise with youth such as running, walking, hiking, etc.
- Must be able to lift 25 lbs.
- Visual acuity necessary to utilize a computer monitor throughout the course of a normal workday.
- Ability to perform repetitive keyboarding activities and operate general office equipment.
- Ability to communicate verbally, both in person and over the telephone.
- Ability to wrap arms around and hold a person.
- Ability to twist and bend frequently.
- Must have visual and hearing acuity.
Working Conditions:
Work is performed at the Denali Family Services office, in schools, in homes, in the community and youth homes.
Other Requirements:
Ability to obtain CPR and First Aid certification, continual proof of a valid Alaska Driver’s License, maintain current personal vehicle insurance and registration on personal vehicle(s) used for company business and maintain a violation free driving record for the past year. Must be at least 21 years of age due to insurance requirements. Ability to pass a State and FBI background check in accordance with the State of Alaska Background Checking Unit.