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First Responder Peer Support Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Peer Support Mobile Responder

Newton, KS

$15.50 - $19.75/hr

Join Our Team as a Peer Support Mobile Responder ! Are you passionate about helping people in times of need? Do you thrive in dynamic environments and enjoy making a real difference in your community?

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... • First Responder crisis response on 24/7/365 basis to consumers experiencing a crisis • ... The Peer Support Specialist will be responsible for required documentation. Company Description ...

The Registered Peer Support Specialist (RPSS) is an active member of the Choices' Jefferson Parish ... The MCS team operates from a strengths-based perspective, collaborating with first responders ...

Peer Support Specialist

Red Springs, NC · On-site

$15 - $19.25/hr

Respond as a first responder for crises on a 24/7/365 basis * Maintain accurate and timely ... NC Peer Support Specialist Certification * High school diploma or GED * Strong interpersonal skills ...

Peer Support

Phoenix, AZ

$17.50 - $22.25/hr

We are currently hiring for Peer Supports to help support our clientele during treatment groups and ... They generally have first-hand experience with similar traumatic events or circumstances and work ...

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First Responder Peer Support information

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$10

$19

$28

How much do first responder peer support jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 6, 2026, the average hourly pay for first responder peer support in the United States is $19.72, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $16.83 and $21.63 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some typical challenges First Responder Peer Support team members face when supporting their colleagues?

First Responder Peer Support team members often encounter challenges such as building trust with colleagues who may be reluctant to open up about stress or trauma. They must balance their peer role with confidentiality and professional boundaries, ensuring privacy while encouraging help-seeking behavior. Additionally, managing their own emotional well-being while supporting others is crucial, as exposure to colleagues' experiences can be emotionally taxing. Ongoing training and strong teamwork are important to effectively navigate these challenges and provide meaningful support.

What are First Responder Peer Support specialists?

First Responder Peer Support specialists are trained individuals who work within emergency services to provide emotional support, guidance, and resources to their colleagues dealing with job-related stress, trauma, or mental health challenges. They are typically current or former first responders themselves, such as firefighters, police officers, or paramedics, who understand the unique pressures of the profession. By offering confidential support and connecting peers to additional resources, they help promote well-being and resilience within the first responder community.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a First Responder Peer Support specialist, and why are they important?

To thrive as a First Responder Peer Support specialist, you need a background as a first responder, knowledge of mental health principles, and completion of specialized peer support training. Familiarity with crisis intervention models, confidentiality protocols, and communication platforms is typically required. Strong empathy, active listening, and the ability to build trust are essential soft skills for this role. These skills and qualities are crucial for effectively supporting colleagues through stress, trauma, and recovery, fostering resilience within first responder communities.

What is the difference between First Responder Peer Support vs Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)?

AspectFirst Responder Peer SupportEmergency Medical Technician (EMT)
CredentialsPeer support training, mental health certificationsEMT certification, state licensure
Work EnvironmentPeer support programs, mental health settings, emergency scenesAmbulances, emergency scenes, hospitals
Employer & IndustryFire departments, EMS agencies, mental health organizationsEMS services, hospitals, ambulance companies

First Responder Peer Support focuses on providing emotional and mental health support to fellow responders, often with specialized training in mental health. EMTs are trained to provide emergency medical care in the field, with a focus on patient treatment. While both roles serve emergency responders, peer support emphasizes mental health assistance, whereas EMTs focus on medical interventions.

Infographic showing various First Responder Peer Support job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Part Time. Highlights an 95% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $41,023 per year, or $19.7 per hour.
Peer Specialist-First Responder or Veteran

Peer Specialist-First Responder or Veteran

Rogers Behavioral Health

Oconomowoc, WI

$17.50 - $22.50/hr

Part-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement

Posted 18 days ago


Rogers Behavioral Health rating

6.0

Company rating: 6.0 out of 10

Based on 49 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

728th of 867 rated healthcare providers


Job description

The peer specialist serves as an advocate for first responders, military service members and veterans who are navigating various aspects of life during and after service. They offer peer support, using their own experiences, training and insights to help group members overcome obstacles, facilitate recovery and build the resilience of persons in recovery to achieve their goals. The Fire Watch peer specialists help first responders, service members and veterans to address their physical, intellectual, emotional, social and spiritual needs to facilitate and maintain wellness throughout the behavioral health recovery process.
The peer specialist will also be responsible for outreach activities, growing the program by making connections with the community. The peer specialist may support with organizing events that will lead to further visibility of the program.
Schedule: PRN (as needed/as available)Job Duties & Responsibilities:Provide peer support virtually.
  • Provide one-on-one and group peer support services to patients who are first responders, military service members and veterans in the virtual environment. Intentionally share personal recovery stories as appropriate to model coping techniques and recovery tools, provide hope, and support patients in changing patterns and behaviors.
  • Assist patients in navigating the virtual environment to ensure engagement with programming.
  • Advocate for the needs and rights of patients within the healthcare system, social services, and other relevant agencies.
  • Assist patients in accessing and navigating resources and services such as healthcare, housing assistance, employment support, education benefits, and legal aid.
  • In collaboration with the treatment team, provide support to patients experiencing crises, including mental health emergencies or housing instability.
  • Conduct outreach activities to raise awareness about first responder, military and veteran issues and available support services in the community.
  • Collaborate with other professionals, including mental health counselors, social workers, and medical providers, to ensure comprehensive care for patients.
  • Create an environment of respect for peers which honors individuals for taking charge of their own lives.
  • Demonstrate understanding of how trauma affects mental health and substance use disorder recovery, develop trauma-informed relationships, and support peers in obtaining appropriate resources for help.
  • Observe behavior that might indicate difficulty adapting or responding to treatment (e.g. missed sessions, trouble reducing risky/harmful coping strategies, harm to self or others, disruptive behavior) and report concerns to treatment team in a timely manner.
  • Encourage peers to focus on their strengths, exercise use of natural supports, develop their own recovery goals, and strengthen their valued roles within the community.
Provide support for addiction and mental health recovery to assigned patients consistent with the scope of employee's training and credentialing.
  • Interact with patients, conducting coordinated one-on-one sessions that facilitate individual goals to address psychosocial, intellectual, physical, or spiritual needs, as indicated by the treatment team.
  • Implement components of the patient's individualized, interdisciplinary treatment plan. Report and record patient's behaviors, interactions, responses to clinical interventions, and progress toward meeting the
  • treatment plan objectives
  • Understand and implement daily patient activities and collaborate with Fire Watch staff.
  • Maintain accurate and confidential records of interactions with patients and the services provided, in compliance with organizational policies and regulations.
Serve as a case manager for patients as assigned by treatment team.
  • Initiate and maintain collateral contacts as assigned by the treatment team to fulfill after-business-hour needs on behalf of individual patients.
  • Coordinate therapy planning and discharge planning as assigned by the treatment team. Support patient accountability for building components of their ongoing care plan to follow residential addiction treatment.
Performs work consistent with Rogers Principles, policies and procedures and department expectations.Other duties as assigned.

Additional Job Description:

Qualifications:
  • First Responder or Veteran Status: Must have served in the military with an honorable discharge from military service.
  • Associates degree required, preferably in psychology or a related field.
  • Lived Experience: Have personal experience with overcoming challenges related to military or first responder service and navigating through those challenges. Preferred experience with meaningful family/friend relationships, social involvement in community groups, religious or civic organizations or veteran groups.
  • Peer Support Training: Completion of a peer support training program or certification required, preferably with a focus on veterans.
  • Demonstrated Communication Skills: Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to establish rapport and build trust with fellow service members and Veterans.
  • Demonstrated Empathy and Compassion: Demonstrates empathy, compassion, and nonjudgmental attitude towards individuals facing difficulties.
  • Demonstrated Knowledge of Resources preferred: Familiarity with resources and services available to First Responders and Veterans, including government benefits, healthcare options, and community-based support programs

With a career at Rogers, you can look forward to a Total Rewards package of benefits, including:

  • Health, dental, and vision insurance coverage for you and your family
  • 401(k) retirement plan
  • Employee share program
  • Life/disability insurance
  • Flex spending accounts
  • Tuition reimbursement
  • Health and wellness program
  • Employee assistance program (EAP)

Through UnitedHealthcare, UMR and HealthSCOPE Benefits creates and publishes the Machine-Readable Files on behalf of Rogers Behavioral Health.To link to the Machine-Readable Files, please visitTransparency in Coverage (uhc.com)


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