1

Peer Counselor Jobs in Tampa, FL (NOW HIRING)

Peer Specialist

Tampa, FL · On-site

$18/hr

SUMMARY The Peer Specialist will work in partnership with young adults turning 18 in licensed ... Associate or other accredited vocational degree, with a major in the field of counseling, social ...

Peer Specialist

Tampa, FL · On-site

$18/hr

SUMMARY The Peer Specialist will work in partnership with young adults turning 18 in licensed ... Associate or other accredited vocational degree, with a major in the field of counseling, social ...

Peer Support Manager

Saint Petersburg, FL

$16.75 - $21.50/hr

The Peer Support Manager will be responsible for ensuring a Substance Use Disorder Bridge pathway ... work, counseling, human services, or a related field preferred Licensure/Certification • ...

Peer Support Manager

Saint Petersburg, FL · On-site

$16.75 - $21.50/hr

The Peer Support Manager will be responsible for ensuring a Substance Use Disorder Bridge pathway ... work, counseling, human services, or a related field preferred Licensure/Certification • ...

PEER RECOVERY SUPPORT SPECIALIST University of Alabama at Birmingham General Responsibilities To ... Keeps case management team (case managers, counselors, program administrators, etc.) informed about ...

TIEH Peer Specialist

Clearwater, FL · On-site

$15.50 - $19.75/hr

The Peer Specialist will provide mentoring services to consumers to assist with the achievement of ... Knowledge of Recovery Model, counseling techniques, verbal crisis intervention and mental health ...

Peer Specialist

Lakeland, FL

$16.75 - $21.75/hr

The Peer Specialist will be a role model competency in recovery and ongoing coping skills. Will provide individualized case management services (linkages to medical, community and specialty services ...

Peer Specialist

Lakeland, FL · On-site

$16.75 - $21.75/hr

The Peer Specialist will be a role model competency in recovery and ongoing coping skills. Will provide individualized case management services (linkages to medical, community and specialty services ...

Peer Specialist

Lakeland, FL · On-site

$16.75 - $21.75/hr

Assists in peer group support utilizing the Illness Management and Recovery model to facilitate problem solving, communication skills development and personal growth. * Provides services with area/s ...

The Stabilization Counselor is an exempt position responsible for providing clinical services to ... Conducts self in a professional manner with colleagues, peers, and clients. Demonstrates ...

The Stabilization Counselor is an exempt position responsible for providing clinical services to ... Conducts self in a professional manner with colleagues, peers, and clients. Demonstrates ...

The Stabilization Counselor is an exempt position responsible for providing clinical services to ... Conducts self in a professional manner with colleagues, peers, and clients. Demonstrates ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

Peer Counselor information

See Tampa, FL salary details

$8

$18

$26

How much do peer counselor jobs pay per hour?

As of May 28, 2026, the average hourly pay for peer counselor in Tampa, FL is $18.77, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $16.20 and $21.01 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What Is a Peer Counselor?

A peer counselor is a person in recovery, usually from addiction or mental illness, who is trained in counseling and conducting support programs for peers in similar situations. As a peer counselor, your responsibilities include helping people deal with their emotions and experiences, and meeting their support needs during the recovery process. You use your own experience and training to give them the tools to continue to heal. Your job is different from a mental health professional, as it is more about community and support, not diagnosis and treatment.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Peer Counselor, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Peer Counselor, you need a solid understanding of counseling techniques, active listening, and lived experience relevant to the population served, often supported by specific peer counseling training or certification. Familiarity with case management systems, documentation protocols, and crisis intervention tools is beneficial. Strong interpersonal skills, empathy, and the ability to maintain boundaries make someone stand out in this role. These skills are crucial for building trust, providing effective support, and fostering recovery in individuals facing similar challenges.

What are some common challenges Peer Counselors face when supporting clients, and how can they effectively manage these situations?

Peer Counselors often encounter challenges such as maintaining professional boundaries, managing emotional stress from clients' experiences, and handling situations where clients require resources beyond their expertise. To navigate these challenges, Peer Counselors receive training in active listening, crisis intervention, and self-care strategies. Regular supervision, team debriefings, and access to mental health resources also support Peer Counselors in maintaining their own well-being while ensuring clients receive appropriate guidance and referrals when necessary.

What are peer counselors?

Peer counselors are individuals who provide support, guidance, and encouragement to others based on shared experiences, often related to mental health, recovery, or academic challenges. They are typically not licensed therapists but are trained to listen, offer emotional support, and help connect people with additional resources. Peer counselors use their own experiences to help others navigate similar situations, promoting empathy and understanding. Their role can be found in schools, colleges, community organizations, and health care settings.

What is the difference between Peer Counselor vs Substance Abuse Counselor?

AspectPeer CounselorSubstance Abuse Counselor
Required CredentialsHigh school diploma or equivalent; peer support trainingState certification; bachelor's or master's degree in counseling or related field; certification in substance abuse counseling
Work EnvironmentCommunity centers, schools, healthcare facilities, support groupsRehabilitation centers, clinics, hospitals, outpatient programs
Employer & Industry UsageNonprofit organizations, mental health agencies, schoolsHealthcare providers, addiction treatment centers, mental health clinics
Common Search & ComparisonPeer Counselor vs Substance Abuse Counselor

Peer Counselors provide support based on shared experiences and typically require less formal education. Substance Abuse Counselors have specialized training and certifications to diagnose and treat addiction. Both roles work in related environments but differ in credentials and scope of practice.

What cities near Tampa, FL are hiring for Peer Counselor jobs? Cities near Tampa, FL with the most Peer Counselor job openings:
Infographic showing various Peer Counselor job openings in Tampa, FL as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 69% Full Time, and 31% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $39,040 per year, or $18.8 per hour.
FACT Peer Specialist

$16.25 - $20.75/hr

Part-time

Dental, Vision

Posted 6 days ago


Mental Health Resource Center rating

7.0

Company rating: 7.0 out of 10

Based on 29 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz


Job description

Benefits:
  • Dental insurance
  • Vision insurance

Benefits/PerksFull Time positions offer a comprehensive benefits package.
Part Time positions offer a partial benefits package.
Company Overview
Mental Health Resource Center is a not-for-profit Florida corporation that provides a wide range of mental health and behavioral health care services to the community such as 24-hour emergency services, inpatient psychiatric services for children, adolescents, and adults as well as outpatient services such as medication management, case management, and counseling.
Job Summary
The FACT Program is a multi-disciplinary, clinical team which assumes responsibility for directly providing needed treatment, rehabilitation and support services to adult persons with severe and persistent mental illness promoting recovery, empowerment, self-determination and decision-making for each FACT participant.
The FACT Peer Specialist has personal, practical knowledge and experiences as a recipient of mental health services and is willing to share these for the benefit of the team and the persons served by the FACT team. Provides needed peer counseling, wellness recovery, and support services to individuals served by the FACT Program in order to reduce or eliminate the need for hospitalization and to enhance their independence, autonomy and quality of life. Promotes recovery, empowerment, self-determination and decision-making for each FACT participant.
Some of the responsibilities of the FACT team include providing clinical and supportive services through advocacy, crisis intervention, assessments, evaluations, treatment planning, case management and medication management. Participants are also provided with community referrals, symptom education, work-related vocational and educational services, social and interpersonal relationship training, and support for the participants' families and care givers.
Most of a FACT team member's day is spent in the community completing many of the above duties. Only about 15% of their time is spent in the office. Company vehicles are available, however members of the FACT team also need to use their personal vehicles to provide services.
The FACT team operates beyond normal business hours, rotates holiday and weekend responsibilities, and rotates an emergency on-call cell phone.
The Mental Health Resource Center manages 8 out of the 32 FACT programs in the state of Florida: Rockledge/Brevard, Tampa, Clearwater, Kissimmee, Winter Haven, Gainesville and two teams in Jacksonville.
Responsibilities
  • Assists individuals served in the development of their own plans of growth and development. i.e. utilizing the Wellness Recovery Action Planning (WRAP).
  • Provides peer coaching, wellness recovery, and support services in alignment with the FACT model, based on Assertive Community Treatment best practices.
  • Participates in daily organizational meetings.
  • Advocates for persons served to ensure acquisition of necessary social services to include activities of daily living, including medical, dental, legal, housing, and entitlements and documents the effectiveness of the service and the person's satisfaction.
  • Works collaboratively with individuals served to identify and support linkages to community resources and trainings: educational, vocational, social, cultural, mutual self- help groups, etc., that supports the person's chosen goals and interests.
  • Provides side-by-side assistance to persons served in all aspects of daily living (i.e., assist with housekeeping, budgeting, grocery shopping, etc.).
  • Provides recovery support services to increase an individual's social and interpersonal activities (i.e. supportive coaching, social skills development, side-by-side coaching, planning social/leisure time activities, trauma informed care).
  • Assist individuals served to develop problem-solving skills so that they can respond to challenges that may arise in their recovery process.
  • Promote the development of self-efficacy through role-modeling strength-based recovery.

Qualifications
  • In order to be considered candidates must have a high school diploma or equivalent and must have previous personal experience as a recipient of mental health services is required.
  • Bachelor's degree preferred.
  • Experience working with persons with severe and persistent mental illness preferred.
  • Obtain, or work towards obtaining, certification as a peer specialist within one year of employment.
  • Strong communication skills are essential and this individual must be able to interact appropriately with internal and external customers, including families, caregivers, community service providers, supervisory staff and other department professionals.
  • Each FACT team member contributes to the completeness and confidentiality of clinical records by ensuring documentation, paperwork and system entries meet internal and external guidelines for content, accuracy and timeliness.
  • Each member of the FACT team must meet MHRC/RBHS vehicle driver requirements, to include a valid Florida Driver's License, automobile insurance coverage equaling $200,000 and no more than eight points on their license for any combination of violations.
  • Working knowledge of Microsoft Office Programs, email, and the use of the Internet is required.

Position DetailsFull time or Part time Shifts Available: Monday through Friday (rotating weekends, on-call, and holidays)
Renaissance Behavioral Health Systems and Mental Health Resource Center are Equal Opportunity Employers.
Background screening and clearance through the Florida Care Provider Background Screening Clearinghouse is required for all positions:
Thank you for your interest in joining the team at Mental Health Resource Center and Renaissance Behavioral Health Systems. We offer a variety of opportunities in the behavioral health and social services fields. We have locations in Jacksonville and throughout Florida. Employees work together and support one another in a friendly, team-oriented atmosphere that encourages professional growth. We offer an ideal workplace for individuals dedicated to providing care and services that reflect our core values of compassion, integrity, and excellence.
Mental Health Resource Center, Inc. (MHRC) is a nonprofit organization that provides a wide range of behavioral health and social services to the community. Included in MHRC's service array are 24-hour emergency services and inpatient psychiatric services for children, adolescents, and adults. Outpatient services include medication management, care coordination, case management, intensive case management team services, counseling, psychosocial rehabilitation, an adult therapeutic family program, state hospital liaison services, mental health court, multidisciplinary forensic teams (MFT), jail-based diversion services, a Co-Responder Program with the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office, the Link-to-Life suicide prevention program, and services that assist individuals in obtaining benefits such as Social Security Income, Social Security Disability Income, Medicaid, food stamps, and housing. In addition, UF Health Jacksonville contracts with MHRC to manage the hospital's adult inpatient psychiatric unit.
MHRC also operates eight Florida Assertive Community Treatment (FACT) programs for adults with severe and persistent mental illness, located in Clearwater, Gainesville, Jacksonville, Kissimmee, Rockledge, Tampa, and Winter Haven, as well as a FACT Lite program providing Linking, Advocating, Treating, Transitioning, Empowering & Recovery Support (LATTERS) services in Jacksonville. The two FACT teams located in Jacksonville serve residents of Duval, Clay, and Nassau counties.
Renaissance Behavioral Health Systems and Mental Health Resource Center encourage all applicants to take advantage of opportunities for hire, and if internal applicants, transfers, promotions, and advancement, regardless of their race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, handicap, disability, marital status, national origin, veteran status, or genetic information. RBHS and MHRC are Equal Opportunity Employers and Drug Free Workplaces.
Background screening and clearance through the Florida Care Provider Background Screening Clearinghouse is required for all positions:

What Mental Health Resource Center employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom