Peer Recovery Specialist – Harm Reduction

JOB ANNOUNCEMENT – Peer Recovery Specialist – Harm Reduction

Full-Time (40 hours/week); Pay rate $17-18/hour

Strength In Peers seeks a qualified individual to fill a Peer Recovery Specialist position. The individual will work out of the organization’s Harrisonburg office on the Comprehensive Harm Reduction program and Homeless Street Outreach program. The position requires flexibility in the work schedule, including some early morning and evening hours, as well as occasional weekend events. Training and coaching in peer support skills will be provided.

Position Summary: The Peer Recovery Specialist is an individual with lived experience overcoming substance use, mental health, and/or trauma-related challenges who offers peers support to others seeking recovery. The Peer Support Specialist functions as role model, exhibiting competency in personal recovery and use of coping skills, and inspires hope that recovery and resiliency are achievable goals. The Peer Recovery Specialist supports individuals who are unable or unwilling to stop using drugs by providing harm reduction education, supplies, rapid HIV and Hep C testing, and connections to community services and resources. The position also conducts outreach to individuals who are experiencing homelessness, particularly those who are unsheltered, and connects them to housing and other resources in the community.

General Job Duties:

1. Provide services to individuals with substance use, mental health, and/or trauma-related challenges based on the framework, ethics, and guidelines of the Peer Recovery Specialist profession.

2. Conduct outreach to populations of focus in the community and engage individuals in services.

3. Provide individuals education on how to prevent drug overdoses including naloxone administration, the spread of blood borne pathogens and STIs, wound and skin infections, and other public health challenges.

4. Provide individuals referrals and connections to community services for health care, housing, employment, and other needs.

5. Educate individuals about various pathways to recovery and provide referrals and connections to available behavioral health treatment and recovery support services.

6. Assist participants to apply for Medicaid, other public benefits, rental housing, and employment.

7. Collaborate with case managers, counsellors, and other providers to plan and coordinate services to mutual participants.

8. Transport and accompany participants to appointments and community resources.

9. Administer questionnaires and paperwork to individuals to enroll them in programs and assess their outcomes.

10. Collect and report data on participants and activities into a secure online data management system.

11. A complete list of tasks and duties will be provided in the position’s full job description.

Minimum Qualifications:

1. Identify as a person in active recovery from substance use, mental health, and/or trauma-related challenges.

2. Believe that anyone can recover and thrive; support all recovery pathways including harm reduction.

3. Treat all people with dignity. Able to connect with others and inspire trust, hope, and healing.

4. Able to communicate effectively in writing and interpersonally in one-on-one and small group settings.

5. Strong knowledge of computer applications for data entry, word processing, email, and internet navigation.

6. Minimum of a high school diploma or equivalent.

7. Completed 72-hour PRS training and certification (CPRS) a plus.

8. Driver’s license and acceptable driving record required.

To Apply:

Send cover letter and resume to Director@StrengthInPeers.org. Applications will be accepted until positions are filled. Only applications that provide both a cover letter and resume will be considered. Please, no phone calls.