Peer Support Specialist Apprentice - Department of Public Health & Environment

About Our Job

With competitive pay, great benefits, and endless opportunities, working for the City and County of Denver means seeing yourself working with purpose — for you, and those who benefit from your passion, skills and expertise. Join our diverse, inclusive and talented workforce of more than 11,000 team members who are at the heart of what makes Denver, Denver.

What We Offer

The City and County of Denver offers a competitive salary commensurate with education and experience. The salary range for this position is $23.89.  We also offer generous benefits for full-time employees which include but are not limited to:

• A guaranteed life-long monthly pension, once vested after 5 years of service
• 457B Retirement Plan
• 140 hours of PTO earned within first year + 12 paid holidays, 1 personal holiday, 1 Wellness Day and 1 volunteer day per year
• Competitive medical, dental and vision plans effective within 1 month of start date

This is a limited position with an end date of one year from date of hire.

Location

The City and County of Denver supports a hybrid workplace model. Employees are expected to work on-site at their designated job location at least three (3) days per week, with off-site work permitted as needed. Employees must perform all off-site work within the state of Colorado. Hybrid schedule is determined by individual departments and teams and may be subject to change in order to meet the needs and capacity.

What You’ll Do

Denver's Department of Public Health & Environment (DDPHE) is dedicated to advancing Denver's environmental and public health goals. DDPHE works collaboratively with city, state and community partners to conduct education, community engagement, and enforcement to promote healthy people, healthy pets, and a sustainable environment. DDPHE oversees a number of services related to public health and the environment and is comprised of seven divisions: Division of Shared Services and Business Operations; Community & Behavioral Health; Public Health Investigations; Denver Animal Protection; the Office of Medical Examiner; Emergency Management and Medical Operations; and Environmental Quality. For more information on DDPHE’s programs and services, visit the DDPHE website at: Denver Department of Public Health & Environment.

We foster an inclusive culture by respecting the values, customs, and authenticity of everyone and by implementing equitable public health strategies so Denver communities can thrive.

DDPHE is building a more representative workforce that reflects the diversity of Denver communities. We have two Peer Support Specialist Apprentice positions available for those interested in exploring a career in public and/or environmental health, public safety and community support. Peer Support Specialists with the City and County of Denver play an important role in building a more representative and inclusive public health and safety workforce that reflects the diverse communities of Denver. Peer Support Specialists use their lived experience, relationship-building skills, and knowledge of community resources to connect individuals with support, services, and opportunities that promote health and well-being. Prior training and certificates are not needed for this apprenticeship program. Specific requirements are to be completed within the 1-year on-the-job training period.

Specifically, in this role, you will:

• Build person-centered, trauma-informed relationships with clients using a peer support model.
• Apply Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) Core Competencies for Peer Workers and National Practice Standards for Peer Supporters to deliver recovery-oriented, person-centered, voluntary, and relationship-focused services.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary City and County staff, including administrative professionals, paralegals, attorneys, nurses, outreach workers and other team members, to provide holistic, client-centered support.
• Leverage lived experience to foster hope and connect clients with recovery, behavioral health, community resources, and supportive services.
• Partner with clients to establish self-directed goals, identify resources and service needs, develop action plans, and monitor progress toward desired outcomes.
• Support community members by developing individualized support plans, and facilitating connections to community resources
• Coordinate and facilitate access to services by assisting clients with phone calls, accompanying them to court and community appointments, and navigating multiple service systems.
• Maintain accurate, timely documentation of client interactions, progress, and other activities in accordance with organizational standards.
• Complete DDPHE 60 hours Colorado Peer and Family Specialist (CPFS) training curriculum
• Pass CPFS exam and receive certification
• Participate and complete Colorado School of Public Health micro-credentialling program

• Other duties as needed and assigned

These positions will rotate to two of five divisions/departments within the City and County of Denver for 6-month terms. See information below about each division.

• Office of the Municipal Public Defender: OMPD’s Client Support Team (CST) consists of four Peer Support Specialists, a Behavioral Health Navigator, and a Bilingual Outreach Case Coordinator who work alongside attorneys in court daily, create re-entry plans with clients in jail, and connect clients with resources like shelter/housing, benefit enrollment, behavioral health treatment, and more. The CST division serves as part of the defense team and is bound by the Colorado Rules of Professional Conduct including rules regarding attorney-client privilege and client confidentiality.

• Department of Public Health & Environment (DPHE)-Focus Area Street Engagement Team (FASET) and Wellness Winnie: This position will work daily to provide outreach and connect with individuals within Denver to offer resources on shelter, housing, mental health, and substance abuse. This individual will work as part of the Wellness Winnie team or FASET as well as collaborate with teams across the Community and Behavioral Health Division.

• Denver County Court- Forensic Peer Navigator (FPN)- Denver County Court: Forensic Peer Support Team (FPST): Forensic Peer Support Specialists support the Denver County Court by providing Peer recovery support to individuals involved in the justice system by building trusting, person-centered relationships and connecting them to recovery and community resources. The FPST helps participants navigate court requirements, access services, attend appointments, overcome barriers, and successfully participate in the community through outreach, advocacy, and systems coordination.

• Denver Police Department- Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion (LEAD): Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion (LEAD) is a national model that was originally created to offer alternative solutions for addressing incarceration of addiction-related charges, including racially disparate impacts on communities. LEAD is a coordinated response process that supports officer discretion in diverting criminal violations to service engagement, for eligible charges, at the point of pre-arrest and pre-booking. LEAD is an extension of public safety that builds collective and systemic responses to unmanaged behavioral health challenges. Peer Support Specialist Apprentices will collaborate alongside LEAD staff and other direct service care providers to ensure seamless, comprehensive, wraparound support for participants. Care teams will come up with strategies to help reduce barriers for participants, solve problems, realize their goals, and reinvest in themselves.  

• Denver Public Libraries- Community Resources: DPL uses a trauma-informed, harm-reduction approach to meet people where they are, without judgment. The DPL team values culturally sensitive, respectful interactions and strives to create a welcoming environment for everyone, and offers peer support, resource navigation, health clinics and much more.

What You’ll Bring

We value diversity of ethnicity, race, socioeconomic status, sexual identity, gender, religion, language, ability, and experience and exemplify this through the makeup of our team at all levels. You'll be right at home here if you cultivate strong relationships and push yourself, your work, the people around you and Denver to the next level.

Our ideal candidate has some or all the following experience, skills, and characteristics:

• Knowledge of Peer Support Services and an interest in becoming a Colorado Peer and Family Specialist
• Lived experience of mental health, substance use, trauma, and/or co-occurring conditions is highly valued
• Knowledge and experience with the Denver Criminal Justice system, court processes
• Understanding of Denver metro resources, services, and community support
• Skills in addressing the needs of people experiencing homelessness, individuals living with mental health and substance misuse conditions and other vulnerable populations. 
• Bilingual Spanish proficiency is highly valued   
• Proficient in Microsoft Office applications and data entry experience
• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills
• Attention to detail, organization, and multitasking
• A willingness to learn new things
• Exceptional interpersonal skills
• Demonstrated commitment to justice, equity, diversity, accessibility, and inclusion

Required Minimum Qualifications

• Education Requirement: Graduation from high school or possession of a GED, HiSET or TASC Certificate.
• Experience Requirement: One (1) year of experience providing peer support as a volunteer or professional.
• Education and Experience Equivalency: A combination of appropriate education and experience may be substituted for the minimum education and experience requirements.
• License/Certification Requirement: None.

Requirements to be completed after hiring:

• Complete DDPHE 60 hours of Colorado Peer and Family Specialist (CFPS) training curriculum
• Pass CPFS exam and receive certification
• Participate and complete Colorado School of Public Health micro-credentialling program

Application Deadline

This position is expected to stay open until Sunday, October 4, 2026. Please submit your application as soon as possible and no later than that date at 11:59 p.m. to ensure consideration.

To be considered for this position, you must include the following on your job application (upload the attachment(s) to the Resume/CV section on the My Experience tab):

• Cover letter detailing: What motivates you to pursue Peer support work, and what draws you to this position? How does lived experience help guide you in this position?
• Resume

About Everything Else

Job Profile

CS3163 Peer Support Specialist I

To view the full job profile including position specifications, physical demands, and probationary period, click here.

Position Type

Limited (Fixed Term)

Position Salary Range

$23.89 - $35.84

Target Pay

$23.89 per hour

Agency

Dept of Public Health & Environment

The City and County of Denver provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, genetic information, age, or any other status protected under federal, state, and/or local law. 

It is your right to access oral or written language assistance, sign language interpretation, real-time captioning via CART, or disability-related accommodations. To request any of these services at no cost to you, please contact [email protected] with three business days’ notice.

Applicants for employment with the City and County of Denver must have valid work authorization that does not require sponsorship of a visa for employment authorization in the U.S.

For information about right to work, click here for English or here for Spanish.