Peer Support Specialist

Job Title: Peer Support Specialist
Reports To: TIPLR Program Manager
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt (Full-Time)
Location: Hybrid (Office & Community-Based)

About Nation Outside

Nation Outside is a statewide Michigan organization driving policy and practice reforms to build transformative systems of support for justice-impacted families and communities. Through our Trauma-Informed Peer-Led Reentry (TIPLR) Program, we combine lived experience with evidence-based approaches to empower individuals transitioning from incarceration.

Program Overview

The TIPLR Program provides a safe, understanding, and transformative environment—grounded in trauma-informed care—where participants can heal, grow, and rebuild their lives.

Position Overview

The Peer Support Specialist is the administrative linchpin of TIPLR’s day-to-day operations. Leveraging professionalism, compassion, and organizational skills, this forward-facing role supports in-reaches, peer transportation logistics, volunteer coordination, and navigator onboarding, among other duties as assigned.

Key Responsibilities

• In-Reaches:
   
  • Represent Nation Outside at in-reach sessions within correctional facilities and partner sites to introduce potential participants to TIPLR .
     
• Peer Transportation Support:
   
  • Coordinate and assist Peer Navigators with scheduling, routing, and documenting transportation services, including both prison transports and local rides for peers. This role may involve riding along with fellow staff or directly providing transportation as needed to support the team and ensure peers reach critical appointments and reentry milestones.
     
  • Ensure timely arrival for prison pickups, appointments, and community events.
     
• Volunteer and Intern Coordination:
   
  • Recruit, onboard, and manage volunteers and interns to support group activities, workshops, and special events.
     
  • Maintain volunteer schedules, track hours, and facilitate regular check-ins.
     
• Navigator Onboarding & Administrative Support:
   
  • Assist with new navigator orientation, training logistics, and materials preparation.
     
  • Maintain accurate personnel and training records in program databases.
     
• Professional Boundaries & Attire Enforcement:
   
  • Uphold TIPLR’s standard of professional conduct by modeling and reinforcing clear boundaries with participants, peers, and partners.
     
  • Enforce the dress code policy: business-casual or professional attire is required; athletic or leisure wear is prohibited.
     
• Other Duties as Assigned:
   
  • Provide general administrative support: data entry, file management, meeting coordination, and communication tasks.
     

Professional Boundaries & Dress Code

• Maintain respectful, ethical, and trauma-informed interactions at all times.
   
• Dress in business-casual or professional attire to reflect the level of professionalism we encourage in our participants; athletic or leisure wear is not permitted.
   

Required Skills & Abilities

• Exceptional verbal and written communication.
   
• Strong organizational skills with attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously.
   
• Ability to build rapport and maintain appropriate boundaries.
   
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and Google Workspace.
   
• Comfort working both independently and collaboratively in fast-paced environments.
   

Education & Experience

• High school diploma or GED required; associate’s degree or higher preferred.
   
• Prior experience in administrative support, volunteer coordination, or peer-support settings is highly desirable.
   
• Lived experience with the justice system is a plus but not required.
   
• Valid driver’s license and reliable vehicle for occasional transportation coordination.
   

Physical Requirements

• Prolonged periods of sitting and computer use.
   
• Ability to lift up to 20 pounds on occasion.

Working Conditions

• Work is equally split between office-based, community settings, and occasional facility in-reaches.
   
• Must be flexible to support events and activities that occur outside standard business hours.