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Peer Support Jobs in Bellingham, WA (NOW HIRING)

Peer Counselor

Bellingham, WA · On-site

$20.25 - $26.33/hr

Provide peer counseling and support, drawing on common experiences as a peer, to validate clients' experiences and to provide guidance and encouragement to clients to take responsibility and actively ...

Peer Counselor (CORE Guide)

Bellingham, WA · On-site

$19.25 - $25/hr

In our peer-led model, fGs play a critical role in outreach and engagement, supporting individuals living with SMI to achieve and maintain both behavioral and physical wellness. Trust is at the heart ...

Peer Counselor (CORE Guide)

Bellingham, WA · On-site

$19.25 - $25/hr

firsthand supports individuals living with SMI (serious mental illness). Our holistic approach includes a team of peer recovery specialists, benefits specialists and clinicians. Our teams focus on ...

... Peer Support, Mental Health Recovery, Skills Training, Relapse Prevention, Holistic Approaches, Client-Centered Care, Multidisciplinary Collaboration, Professional Development, Supervision and ...

... Peer Support, Mental Health Recovery, Skills Training, Relapse Prevention, Holistic Approaches, Client-Centered Care, Multidisciplinary Collaboration, Professional Development, Supervision and ...

... Peer Support, Mental Health Recovery, Skills Training, Relapse Prevention, Holistic Approaches, Client-Centered Care, Multidisciplinary Collaboration, Professional Development, Supervision and ...

... Peer Support, Mental Health Recovery, Skills Training, Relapse Prevention, Holistic Approaches, Client-Centered Care, Multidisciplinary Collaboration, Professional Development, Supervision and ...

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Peer Support information

See Bellingham, WA salary details

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How much do peer support jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 4, 2026, the average hourly pay for peer support in Bellingham, WA is $20.50, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $17.50 and $22.50 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a peer support specialist?

Peer support specialists are individuals with lived experience of mental health challenges, substance use, or other life disruptions who are trained to support others facing similar situations. They use their personal experiences to provide empathy, encouragement, and practical assistance to help others in their recovery journeys. Peer support specialists often work in mental health settings, addiction recovery programs, hospitals, or community organizations. Their role is to offer hope and understanding, foster empowerment, and connect people to resources while promoting wellness and self-advocacy.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a peer support specialist, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Peer Support Specialist, you need lived experience with mental health or substance use recovery, strong interpersonal skills, and usually a peer support certification. Familiarity with electronic documentation systems and knowledge of community resources are commonly required. Empathy, active listening, and nonjudgmental communication set outstanding peer supporters apart. These skills foster trust and empowerment, enabling clients to engage in recovery and access vital support services.

What are some common challenges faced by peer support specialists, and how can they effectively manage these challenges?

Peer support specialists often encounter challenges such as maintaining professional boundaries while building trust with clients, managing emotional stress from supporting individuals in crisis, and navigating complex healthcare or social service systems. To effectively manage these challenges, it's important to participate in regular supervision or debriefings, engage in ongoing training, and practice self-care to prevent burnout. Collaboration with clinical staff and open communication within the team also support a healthy work environment and ensure high-quality support for clients.

What is the difference between Peer Support vs Peer Support?

AspectPeer SupportPeer Support
CredentialsOften requires certification in peer support or mental health first aidSame as Peer Support
Work EnvironmentCommunity centers, mental health clinics, hospitalsSame as Peer Support
Industry UsageHealthcare, mental health, social servicesSame as Peer Support
Search IntentComparing roles within peer support servicesSame as Peer Support

Since the comparison is between the same job title, Peer Support, the roles, credentials, and work environments are identical. The focus is on understanding how peer support workers assist individuals through shared experiences in various settings like healthcare and community services.

How to get a job as a peer support specialist?

To become a peer support specialist, individuals typically need to have lived experience with mental health or substance use challenges and complete relevant training or certification programs. Many employers also require strong communication skills, empathy, and a background in healthcare or social services, with some positions requiring a high school diploma or equivalent. Gaining experience through volunteer work or internships can also improve job prospects.

What are the duties of a peer support?

A peer support worker provides emotional support, guidance, and encouragement to individuals facing similar challenges, such as mental health or substance use issues. They listen actively, share experiences, and help clients access resources or services, often working in community or healthcare settings. Strong communication skills and relevant training or certifications are typically required for this role.

What are popular job titles related to Peer Support jobs in Bellingham, WA?

For Peer Support jobs in Bellingham, WA, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Peer Support jobs in Bellingham, WA look for?

The top searched job categories for Peer Support jobs in Bellingham, WA are:

What cities near Bellingham, WA are hiring for Peer Support jobs?

Cities near Bellingham, WA with the most Peer Support job openings:

Infographic showing various Peer Support job openings in Bellingham, WA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 74% Full Time, 20% Part Time, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 88% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 10% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $42,639 per year, or $20.5 per hour.

Peer Support Specialist

Plymouth Housing Group

Bellingham, WA • On-site

$32.62 - $37.49/hr

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 14 days ago


Job description


SALARY 

$32.62 - $37.49 per hour

New hires may earn a salary ranging from the minimum to the midpoint of the pay scale, with education and experience taken into consideration.

LOCATION

Greater Seattle, WA (In-Person) Schedule Monday - Friday 8a-430p

FIND OUT ABOUT THIS ROLE AND OUR MISSION TO CREATE POSITIVE CHANGE

The first and foremost responsibility of the Peer Support Specialist is providing direct support to residents. This includes serving as a community support liaison by attending appointments, providing benefit linkages, connecting residents to recovery resources, and facilitating access to harm reduction tools in alignment with Plymouth’s values and practices. The Clinical Director provides administrative supervision and is the point person for organization-wide initiatives, while the Residential Services Manager offers onsite guidance and oversees coordination within the team.

Plymouth Housing is a nonprofit organization that develops and operates permanent supportive housing for single adults who have experienced chronic homelessness. With apartment buildings throughout King County, Plymouth is helping the most vulnerable members of our community leave homelessness behind forever. At Plymouth, we’re not simply trying to get people off the streets. We provide supportive services like case management and health care so that our residents can thrive long-term. As part of our strategic vision, we are building internal behavioral health services and transforming our systems to address rapid growth and the changing needs of residents.

WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT TO BE DOING IN THIS ROLE AT PLYMOUTH HOUSING

  • Provide one‑on‑one and group peer support to residents, including facilitating peer groups and resident‑focused activities within the scope of credentials and the peer role.
  • Meet with residents to understand their self‑defined goals and support them in working toward their own vision of recovery, wellbeing, and housing stability.
  • Serve as a community support liaison by attending appointments with residents as appropriate and helping connect them to benefits, recovery resources, and harm reduction services.
  • Engage residents using a trauma‑informed, person‑centered, recovery‑oriented approach that honors autonomy, dignity, and lived experience.
  • Build positive, professional, and trusting relationships with residents that are grounded in shared experience, respect, and clear professional boundaries.
  • Collaborate closely with the Resident Wellbeing Manager, clinical managers, case managers, and resource navigators to coordinate care and support integrated services.
  • Develop and maintain relationships with community‑based organizations and external providers to help residents access mental health, medical, substance use, and social services.
  • Assist residents in navigating complex service systems, including benefits, behavioral health care, and other community resources, offering practical guidance and encouragement.
  • Participate in care team meetings, case conferences, and coordination activities to share peer‑informed perspectives and support holistic care planning.
  • Collect and manage data such as surveys, assessments, and other service metrics as directed, ensuring accurate and timely documentation in appropriate systems.
  • Maintain strict confidentiality and data security in line with Plymouth policies, HIPAA, and other applicable regulations.
  • Attend required trainings, meetings, and supervision sessions; engage in ongoing learning related to peer support, substance use, mental health, trauma‑informed care, and harm reduction.
  • Seek and integrate feedback from supervisors, colleagues, and residents to continuously improve peer support services and practice.

SOME KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ATTRIBUTES WE NEED FROM YOU

  • Ability to work effectively and respectfully with people from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences to support safe, welcoming, and inclusive housing communities.
  • Strong problem‑solving, organizational, and time‑management skills, with the ability to handle multiple tasks and priorities.
  • Clear and effective verbal and written communication skills.
  • Ability to build and sustain trust‑based relationships and communicate effectively with individuals and community groups from diverse cultures in a professional, respectful, and engaging manner.
  • Commitment to cultural proficiency in providing services to residents and working collaboratively with Plymouth staff.
  • Comfort using technology, including Microsoft Office and customized databases, electronic health or service records, and other tools for documentation and online research.
  • Strong attention to detail and experience collecting data and/or using data to inform decisions and improve services.
  • Ability to give and receive feedback in a constructive, growth‑oriented way.
  • Ability to drive or confidently navigate public transportation to multiple work sites as needed.
  • Willingness to work some evenings, nights, or weekends to meet resident and program needs.
  • Ability to maintain clear professional boundaries while supporting residents in working toward self‑defined recovery and improved wellbeing.
  • Ability to address multiple complex issues simultaneously, multitask without losing accuracy, and sustain attention in a busy, sometimes unpredictable environment.
  • Capacity to exercise independent judgment within the scope of the role while collaborating closely with the broader care team.

QUALIFICATIONS

  • High school graduation or equivalent and two years of experience in a related program specialty, or an equivalent combination of education, experience, and lived experience.
  • Peer Certification must be initiated within 18 months of hire, in alignment with applicable state and organizational standards.
  • Experience in social services, supportive housing, community advocacy, mental/behavioral health services, or related fields; relevant education and lived experience may be substituted.
  • Administrative and/or program experience focused on homelessness, behavioral health, or social services systems is preferred.

BENEFITS

We offer a comprehensive benefits package for Full-Time employees, including Medical, Dental, Vision, PTO, and 403(b) options. Additionally, employees have access to supplementary benefits such as the Employee Assistance Program, a subsidized ORCA pass, and more. This is a full-time position with benefits. Join us and be a catalyst for positive change!

Plymouth Housing is an equal opportunity employer. We recruit, hire, train and promote employees based on merit and business needs, and without regard for race, color, citizenship status, national origin, ancestry, gender, sexual orientation, age, weight, religion, creed, physical or mental disability, marital status, veteran status, military status, political affiliation, or any other factor protected by law.




Monday-Friday, 8am-4:30pm