Position Summary
At Here Tomorrow, our mission is “to transform lives by building a community where suicide prevention is accessible without barriers”. The Suicide Prevention Specialist, Military/Veteran/First Responder (SPS-MVFR) supports that mission by offering same day, no cost, no judgment peer support to adults who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces or as first responders and are living with mental health or substance use challenges. Using your own lived experience as a veteran or first responder in recovery, you will inspire hope, promote resilience, and help individuals—and their families—navigate every phase of their recovery journey.
Key Responsibilities
Provide Peer Support & Recovery Education
- Offer empathetic, one-to-one peer support for adults at risk for suicide or struggling with mental health challenges, drawing on personal lived experience.
- Provide recovery education for all phases of the journey—engagement, initiation, stabilization, and sustained recovery.
- Help individuals identify their strengths, interests, and goals and coach them in developing personalized recovery plans.
Connect Peers to Resources & Care
- Link individuals and their families to mental health and substance use treatment providers, benefits, peer led support groups, and community resources.
- Maintain and update a directory of veteran, military, and first responder resources.
- Assist individuals in navigating veteran benefits (e.g., VA resources) and local first‑responder support programs; understand laws and regulations related to veteran benefits.
Promote Community & Program Impact
- Collaborate with the Military & First Responder Program Manager to plan and staff events like Gather to Honor, memorials, and community days that celebrate and support veterans and first responders.
- Support outreach campaigns to raise awareness of the program and destigmatize mental health treatment among veterans, active duty personnel, and first responders.
- Build and nurture relationships with VFW posts, American Legion chapters, police/fire departments, EMS agencies, and local hospitals to widen Here Tomorrow’s community impact.
Collaborate & Innovate
- Work alongside licensed therapists, clinicians, and other peer specialists to develop innovative approaches for engaging at‑risk individuals and their families.
- Participate in daily huddles, case reviews, and quality‑improvement meetings; document all service activities in the client relationship management platform (e.g., Salesforce).
- Promote a person‑centered, trauma‑informed approach, modeling love, sharing, accountability, and perseverance in every interaction.
Advocate & Model Recovery
- Uphold the principles of self‑determination and empowerment, advocating for peers’ rights and personal agency in their care.
- Model healthy boundaries, self‑care practices, and professional responsibilities; maintain confidentiality in accordance with HIPAA and organization policies.
- Participate in ongoing supervision, training, and professional development to ensure high quality care and maintain certification requirements.
Mission Alignment: Uphold Here Tomorrow’s core values of love, sharing, accountability, and perseverance. Contribute to a culture of respect and inclusivity that emphasizes empathy, non-judgment, and hope.
Qualifications
Certification & Lived Experience
- Required: Florida Certified Recovery Peer Specialist (CRPS) or ability to obtain certification within 12 months of hire.
- Required: Minimum of two (2) years in personal recovery from a mental health and/or substance use condition.
- Required: Additional lived experience as a first responder (law enforcement, firefighting, Emergency Communications, EMS) or military.
Education & Skills
- High school diploma or equivalent.
- Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively, listen actively, and maintain professional boundaries.
- Familiarity with veteran and first‑responder benefits, resources, and community networks.
- Proficiency in documentation, record‑keeping, and use of technology (CRM systems, Microsoft Office).
- Ability to work collaboratively within an interdisciplinary team and handle crisis situations with composure.
Other Requirements
- Valid Florida driver’s license and reliable transportation for community outreach.
- Willingness to undergo background screening and comply with a drug‑free workplace policy.
- Alignment with Here Tomorrow’s values and commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
- Bilingual (Spanish/English) skills are a plus.
Equal Opportunity Statement
Here Tomorrow is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees and candidates. Veterans, first responders, and individuals with lived experience in recovery are strongly encouraged to apply.
This position will require screening through the Clearinghouse. The Care Provider Background Screening Clearinghouse Education and Awareness website is https://info.flclearinghouse.com.