Location: Kiva Centers – Soteria House, Las Cruces, New Mexico

Reports to: Soteria House Coordinator

Position Type: Full Time/Part Time

Want to make a real difference every day? As a Peer Advocate at Soteria House, you’ll provide hope, stability, and support to adults navigating psychosis or altered states. This people-centered role lets you foster a trauma-informed environment, empower Guests, and help them discover recovery outside traditional hospitalization. Compassion, patience, and a desire to help others are all you need to make a meaningful impact.

About Soteria House

Soteria House, located in Las Cruces, NM, is a peer-supported, community-based boarding home, accommodating up to 5 individuals, with the primary goal of reducing reliance on psychiatric hospitalization by offering a healing-centered, relationship-driven environment that promotes autonomy, recovery, and reintegration into community life. By centering lived experience and peer support, Soteria House seeks to interrupt cycles of hospitalization and recidivism while creating sustainable pathways to wellness.

Position Summary

Peer Advocates (Certified Peer Specialist Workers) provide peer-to-peer support for Guests of Soteria House. Using lived experience, trauma-informed practices, and recovery principles, Peer Advocates build supportive relationships, model recovery strategies, and assist Guests in navigating both daily living and community integration. This role works under the direct supervision of the House Manager, with oversight from the House Director.

Key responsibilities

Peer support and advocacy

• Share lived recovery experience to instill hope and demonstrate that healing is possible.
• Provide trauma-informed peer support in both group and one-on-one settings.
• Empower Guests to identify personal goals, build coping skills, and increase self-determination.
• Assist Guests in self-advocacy and navigating healthcare or community services as requested.
• Promote an environment of dignity, respect, and mutual empowerment.

Guest engagement and support

• Welcome and orient new Guests to Soteria House, ensuring they feel safe and supported.
• Support Guests in accessing resources such as peer groups, housing, benefits, and wellness programs.
• Help maintain a safe, respectful, and recovery-focused environment in the home.
• Offer practical supports (transportation, appointments, or resource navigation) as needed.

Collaboration and teamwork

• Work under the guidance of the House Manager and in collaboration with other Peer Advocates and staff.
• Attend staff meetings, trainings, and professional development opportunities.
• Communicate Guest needs, concerns, and progress with the House Manager while maintaining confidentiality.
• Uphold the mission and values of Soteria House in all interactions.

General duties

• Support daily household upkeep and maintain a clean, safe environment.
• Complete documentation, timesheets, and incident reports in compliance with state and organizational standards.
• Uphold resident rights, confidentiality, and privacy at all times.
• Respond promptly and respectfully to Guest requests and staff communications.

Requirements

• At least 18 years of age.
• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Certified Peer Specialist (CPS), or willingness to obtain certification within 12 months of hire.
• Personal lived experience with trauma, mental health recovery, and/or substance use recovery.
• Compliance with employee abuse registry requirements (8.370.8 NMAC).
• Compliance with incident reporting and investigation requirements (8.370.9 NMAC).
• Successful completion of background check and caregiver criminal history screening pursuant to 8.370.5 NMAC.
• Ability to communicate effectively with Guests in the language they understand.
• Commitment to maintaining a workplace free from the influence of alcohol or illegal substances.
• Familiarity with recovery principles, trauma-informed care, and peer-support values.
• First, second, and third shifts available

Preferred qualifications

• Bilingual (English/Spanish).
• Experience in peer support, advocacy, or residential settings.
• Completion of WRAP (Wellness Recovery Action Plan) or other peer-support trainings.
• Familiarity with Intentional Peer Support (IPS), Trauma-Informed Peer Support (TIPS), or Alternatives to Suicide (ATS) models.

Personal qualities

• Compassionate, respectful, and approachable.
• Willingness to share personal recovery story in a skillful and supportive way.
• Team-oriented yet capable of working independently.
• Professional, dependable, and accountable.
• Optimistic, flexible, and recovery-focused outlook.