Behavioral Health Peer Supports Policy and Development Specialist

Altarum is seeking a Behavioral Health (BH) Peer Supports Policy and Development Specialist with expertise in supporting recovery-oriented system development, peer workforce advancement, policy design, and quality improvement initiatives. In this role, you will inform organizational policy, workforce training, and program development that strengthens recovery support services. You will collaborate with internal teams, executive leadership, and community partners to ensure services are person-centered and aligned with recovery principles.

What You'll Do

Peer-Informed Policy and Systems Development :
• Partner with BH project teams and community partners to strengthen the integration and sustainability of peer support roles across programs.

• Review and recommend policy improvements to align with recovery-oriented and peer-led best practices.

• Contribute to strategic planning efforts related to recovery supports and peer workforce expansion.

• Monitor trends in recovery models, peer support standards, and behavioral health policy developments.

• Support business development initiatives by contributing insights, assisting with proposals, and participating in client engagement activities.

Training and Workforce Development :
• Develop and deliver peer-informed training on recovery principles and person-centered practices.

• Educate staff and leadership on the value and ethical practice of peer support.

• Support the development of peer role clarity, supervision structures, and career pathways.

• Facilitate workshops, webinars, and learning collaboratives for clinical and non-clinical staff to promote understanding of peer roles and recovery values.

• Evaluate training effectiveness and recommend enhancements.

Program Development and Quality Improvement :
• Partner with quality improvement teams to incorporate lived-experience feedback into performance measures and outcome indicators.

• Support the design and implementation of recovery support initiatives (e.g., peer services, housing navigation, employment supports).

• Gather qualitative insights from individuals served to inform service improvements.

• Assist in developing toolkits, guidance documents, and recovery-oriented resources.

• Promote continuous quality improvement grounded in peer values.

Stakeholder and Community Engagement :
• Engage individuals with lived experience in advisory roles and program planning.

• Partner with community agencies to strengthen peer-led and recovery support networks.

• Support community education efforts focused on stigma reduction and recovery awareness.

• Represent Altarum in community meetings, advisory groups, and behavioral health workgroups as assigned.

What You'll Bring :
• 5+ years of experience in peer support, recovery services, advocacy, or community-based behavioral health work. (Certification as a Peer Support Specialist preferred).

• Experience informing policy, program development, workforce initiatives, or quality improvement efforts.

• Demonstrated experience developing and facilitating training using adult learning principles.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to translate lived experience and frontline insights into actionable system-level recommendations.

• Ability to manage multiple sets of responsibilities and collaborate across multidisciplinary teams.

• Knowledge and experience working within the State of Michigan.

Work Eligibility & Requirements:
• Candidates must be currently eligible to work in the United States; sponsorship is not available.

• All work must be performed within the continental U.S. for the duration of employment, unless required by contract.

• Ability to work core hours aligned with Eastern Time, unless otherwise approved by your manager.

• Remote employees must maintain a dedicated, ergonomically appropriate workspace free from distractions, with reliable internet and a mobile device that supports efficient work.

Where You'll Work:
• Remote (with occasional in-person collaboration days)

• If you’re near one of our offices (Arlington, VA; Silver Spring, MD; or Novi, MI), you’ll join us in person one day every other month (6 times per year) for a fun, purpose-driven Collaboration Day. These days are filled with creative energy, meaningful connection, and team brainstorming!

• Non-local employees may be asked to join us on these days at an approved co-working space.

Altarum is a nonprofit organization focused on improving the health of individuals with fewer financial resources and populations disenfranchised by the health care system. We work primarily on behalf of federal and state governments to design and implement solutions that achieve measurable results. We combine our expertise in public health and health care delivery with technology development and implementation, practice transformation, training and technical assistance, quality improvement, data analytics, and applied research and evaluation. Our innovative solutions and proven processes lead to better value and health for all.

Altarum is an equal opportunity employer that provides employment and opportunities to all qualified employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.