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Shaded band: the middle 50% of 188 posted behavioral health roles in Austin, Texas salarys. This role sits in the 19th percentile.
About the role
Pay for this role is about 41% below the Austin, Texas median for behavioral health roles.
The Peer Support Specialist provides trauma-informed, client-centered support through individual mentorship, group facilitation, and community outreach. They are responsible for documenting client progress, coordinating services, and advocating for individuals facing challenges related to homelessness, mental health, and substance use.
LifeWorks of Austin, TX is looking for full-time Peer Support Specialist to join our community-based Peer Services team! A Peer Support Specialist utilizes their lived experience and training to provide support services and education to individuals via group facilitation, individual mentorship, community collaboration, and the provision of alternative activities. The Peer Support Specialist utilizes a trauma-informed, strength-based model of support to foster and promote recovery and wellness with each client served.
This is a full-time, non-exempt position. This position has a starting rate of $22.75/hr. paid bi-weekly. Benefits are also included, which consist of 24 PTO days per year (accrued); 11 paid holidays per year; a premium-free employee medical plan with $100 per month HSA contribution (plus other affordable employee or family medical, dental, and vision options!); a retirement savings plan with 50% match on the first 6% of contributions, and much more!
Responsibilities
Provide client-centered, healing-centered peer support services to diverse individuals who may have experienced chronic homelessness, systems involvement, mental health challenges, substance use challenges, a history of trauma, etc.
Promote recovery, resiliency, and accountability to help others initiate or achieve long-term recovery to enhance quality of life, health, and wellness.
Meet with individual clients, as needed, to establish a safe, healthy relationship for learning, problem-solving, and participating in community activities; assists clients in building a network of support; makes referrals and coordinates client services, as appropriate.
Facilitate regular support groups and social activities, on site and/or within the community, through the implementation of program curricula, experiential activities, presentations and discussions, field trips and/or skill-based activities.
Participation in outreach opportunities to effectively engage with individuals who may be unfamiliar with LifeWorks services and supports.
Plan, develop, and provide recovery-related presentations and outreach on a variety of topics, such as harm reduction, substance use and disease prevention/intervention, health/mental health promotion, trauma and recovery, community resources, relationship-building, and coping strategies.
Advocate for clients within the community as well as internally to ensure that client needs are being recognized, represented, and addressed.
Develop and maintain positive working relationships with agency staff and community contacts such as referral sources, recovery community organizations, peer-run programs in non-recovery organizations, and other service providers.
Requirements
Candidates must possess a high school diploma or GED and at least two years of relevant peer support experience. Additionally, applicants must hold or be willing to obtain a Certified Peer Support Specialist (PSS) certification and have personal lived experience with trauma, mental health, or substance use recovery.
high school
professional certificate
Advocacy
Documentation
Microsoft Office
De-escalation
Mentorship
Data entry
Crisis intervention
Mental health support
Case management
Community outreach
Trauma-informed care
Group facilitation
Peer support
Harm reduction
Substance use counseling
Benefits
Dental insurance
Vision insurance
Paid holidays
Paid time off
Retirement savings plan
Medical plan
Employer match
HSA contribution
Posting details
Employment type
Full Time
Work arrangement
On Site
Experience
2-5 yrs
Salary
$47,320 - $47,320/yr
Location
Austin, Texas
Posted
Aug 26, 2026
Application
Employer website
Maintain up-to-date online documentation of client services and contacts by frequently entering into agency database. Document client progress toward recovery goals.
Comply with all requirements outlined by funding sources, licensure and accrediting bodies, the program, and the agency. These requirements may pertain to data, paperwork, philosophies, processes, and procedures, among other things.
Additional duties as they relate to recovery support, including but not limited to, transporting clients in personal vehicles, resource navigation, and instrumental support.
Maintain approved non-clinical supervision and continuing education.
Use crisis intervention and de-escalation techniques to assist clients in mental or emotional crisis.
Qualifications
Requires a GED or HS Diploma and 2 years of related individual and group peer support experience.
Requires obtaining state certification as a Certified Peer Support Specialist (PSS).
Requires lived experience with 1) trauma and 2) substance use or mental health challenges. Record of maintaining own recovery over the past 2-year period.
Experience with databases; proficient level experience with Microsoft Office including, Word, Excel, and Outlook.
ABOUT LIFEWORKS With more than 50 years of experience working with youth experiencing homelessness, youth aging out of foster care, young adults, and young parents, LifeWorks is committed to solving youth homelessness through housing, mental health, education, and workforce services. Our vision is a Central Texas where every young person has a place to call home, a sense of belonging, and the support to pursue a life they love.
We provide a full range of support services for vulnerable youth, ensuring that every young person has access to a safe home, the chance to heal, and opportunities to learn and work. Through innovative problem-solving, shared accountability, and evidence-based solutions, we are relentless in achieving real, sustainable, and measurable results for the clients we serve.
A career at LifeWorks offers opportunities to grow professionally while making an immediate, lasting impact on the lives of youth and families in our community. Join us in building a future where every young person has the stability and support to thrive.
Market context
Texas behavioral health roles need licensed clinicians
Behavioral-health openings in Texas often favor licensed clinicians because employers need candidates who can step into patient-facing care with minimal onboarding. Competition is shaped by the required master’s degree, Texas license, and preferred psychiatric experience, plus CPR and CPI certifications. Review the AI-summarized requirements and benefits on this page to save research time, then confirm your license type and highlight any psychiatric or crisis-care experience in your application.
