Peer Support Specialist at Goodwill Industries of Kentucky, Inc. in Bowling Green, Kentucky

Job Description:

Goodwill Industries of Kentucky is looking for an energetic, self-motivated, detail-oriented Peer Support Specialist to join our team! The Peer Support Specialist will work closely with individuals seeking assistance from Goodwill to overcome barriers to employment and meet their career goals. If you are looking for an opportunity that allows you to reach new goals while striving in a high-energy, fast paced environment, the Peer Support Specialist opportunity is for you.

Goodwill’s Mission is to connect Kentucky job seekers with the resources and services they need to find and maintain long-term employment and a career path. We serve Kentuckians who have disabilities or experience other challenges finding success in the workforce, such as criminal backgrounds, language barriers, limited education, lack of transportation and chronic poverty.

Job Type: Full-time, Non-Exempt

Essential Duties and Tasks:

• Works closely with career coaches – To serve participants requiring limited, short term support services, make referrals to other resources, sign-up for additional career services training and employment services.


• Oversees services provided in assigned areas.


• Will provide direct supervision to participants.  Comfortable working with a variety of customer groups.


• Provides direct service to participants:
  a.  Communicates with job seekers to help identify and address most immediate needs, such as obtaining food, clothing, transportation, etc.
  b.  Provides direct and up-front support to individuals coming to Goodwill for help in overcoming barriers to employment
  c.  Makes referrals to other community organizations, agencies, and programs to address participant need.
  d.  Makes “soft-touch” referrals for additional resources, such as providing a job lead, helping construct a short, basic resume, or assisting with a job application.
  e.  Escalates the level of service available to participants as needs or career goals are known and communicates that escalation to career coaches for continuity of services.
  f.   Provides basic career guidance and vocational counseling as appropriate (i.e. mock interviews, addressing criminal records, etc.).
  g.  Is well-versed on programs/services available at Goodwill, and makes referrals, as appropriate.
  h.  Conducts follow-up calls with participants to capture employment and job retention information, and to determine the need for additional services.

Education and Experience:

• Associate’s degree or one-year of work experience in lieu of college degree in workforce development/social services environments, such as a workforce development program and/or community rehabilitation program, providing services to individuals with disabilities and/or other disadvantages.


• Case management experience preferred but not required.


• Previous experience working with individuals with disabilities and/or disadvantages.

Physical Demands:

• Must be able to sit or stand for an extended period of time

 Benefits:

• 403(b) Plan


• Company 403(b) Matching Contributions


• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)


• Tuition Reimbursement


• Medical, Prescription, Dental & Vision Insurance


• Generous Vacation Time & 8 Paid Holidays


• Short and Long-Term Disability Insurance


• Life, Dependent Life and AD&D Insurance


• Voluntary Term Life Insurance


• Flexible schedule


• Mission-centric career

When we say mission-centric career, what do we mean? When you work at Goodwill, you work to help fund employment programs for Kentuckians who have disabilities or other challenges to entering the workforce. You get paid, but you also help your neighbors in need!

Goodwill Industries of Kentucky is an EEO/AA employer - M/F/Veteran/Disability/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)

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