Peer Recovery Specialist – Mom 2 Mom Program

Peer Recovery Specialist – Mom 2 Mom Program
Full Time, Non-Exempt, 40 hours/week; Pay rate: $17-$18/hour

Position Summary 

The Peer Recovery Specialist is an individual with lived experience overcoming substance use, mental health, and/or trauma-related challenges who provides peer support and navigation services to women of reproductive age, especially those who are pregnant or nursing. The Peer Specialist will provide education, pregnancy tests, harm reduction services, and linkage to prenatal care, treatment, and supportive resources. The goal of this program is to promote maternal health, reduce substance use-related risks, and support women in keeping their babies safely with them whenever possible.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities 

• Provide services to women who are pregnant, nursing, or of childbearing age experiencing substance use or related challenges based on the framework, ethics, and guidelines of the Peer Recovery Specialist profession.
• Conduct community outreach and engage women through CHR sites, partner agencies, and street-based outreach.
• Conduct outreach and engagement in a variety of community settings, including offices, homes, shelters, jails, public spaces, and outdoor locations.
• Offer education, distribute pregnancy tests, and provide peer support during testing and follow-up.
• Link participants to prenatal care, family planning, and medical services for communicable disease testing.
• Assist women in accessing detox, substance use counseling, medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD), and mental health treatment.
• Collaborate closely with a case manager, peers, and community partners to ensure coordinated, participant-centered care.
• Support participants in identifying personal goals and developing strategies related to recovery, stability, and wellness.
• Assist participants with navigating community services such as healthcare, housing, employment, benefits, childcare and legal or social service systems.
• Support participants in completing applications, scheduling appointments, and following through on referrals.
• Model and share lived experience appropriately to inspire hope and normalize recovery.
• Maintain clear and professional boundaries to support a safe, ethical, and participant-centered environment.
• Collaborate with internal staff and external partners, with participant consent, to coordinate services and support continuity of care.
• Facilitate peer led groups, workshops, or educational sessions as assigned.
• Provide transportation and accompaniment to appointments when appropriate.
• Complete required documentation, data entry, and reporting in a timely and accurate manner.
• Participate in supervision, team meetings, trainings, and professional development activities.
• Uphold ethical standards, confidentiality, and professional boundaries at all times.
• Ability to provide program orientation to other Strength in Peers Programs to participants when necessary.
• Support participants in developing, reviewing, and updating person-centered recovery or wellness plans in collaboration with the participant and Case Manager.
• Promote self-advocacy, informed choice, and participant voice in service planning and decision making.
• Assist participants with building natural support, community connections, and recovery capital, including family, peers, faith, employment, educational, and recreational supports when desired by the participant.
• Encourage development of daily living, coping, problem solving, and relapse prevention skills that support long term recovery and wellness.
• Provide accurate information about recovery resources, mutual aid options, harm reduction supports, and community programs consistent with participant goals and organizational policies.
• Track participant progress toward goals and communicate relevant updates to supervisors and team members in accordance with program requirements and participant consent.
• Maintain awareness of safety considerations in community-based settings and follow agency protocols for field work, transportation, and incident reporting.
• Support a welcoming, stigma free, and culturally responsive environment for participants from diverse backgrounds and life experiences.
• Assist with community events, recovery outreach activities, and program engagement efforts to increase awareness of services and strengthen community partnerships.

Core Competencies 

• Strong recovery orientation and belief in multiple pathways to recovery
• Ability to build trusting relationships with individuals experiencing significant barriers.
• Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills
• Openness to constructive feedback and ability to apply it to improve performance.
• Ability to work independently while remaining accountable to a team.
• Basic computer and data entry skills
• Strong understanding of person centered, trauma informed, and non-coercive support practices
• Ability to use lived experience strategically, ethically, and appropriately in support of participant goals.
• Skill in motivational support, active listening, and strength-based coaching
• Ability to support self-advocacy, shared decision making, and participant empowerment.
• Knowledge of boundaries, ethics, and confidentiality in peer support services
• Ability to recognize signs of crisis and respond calmly, safely, and appropriately within scope.
• Strong organizational, time management, and follow through skills.
• Knowledge of local recovery, behavioral health, housing, employment, and social service resources
• Ability to facilitate groups, workshops, and recovery focused activities.
• Cultural humility and ability to work respectfully with people from diverse backgrounds, identities, and life experiences.
• Ability to manage conflict professionally and use problem solving and de-escalation skills in challenging situations.
• Ability to maintain hope, resilience, and professionalism in fast paced or community-based settings.
• Attention to detail and ability to complete accurate, timely documentation and reporting.

Required Qualifications 

• High school diploma or GED
• Lived experience with substance use, mental health, and/or trauma-related challenges
• Certification as a Virginia Peer Recovery Specialist, or ability to obtain within required timeframe
• Valid driver’s license and ability to travel locally

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience providing peer support, outreach, or navigation services
• Knowledge of local community resources
• Spanish language skills

Work Environment and Physical Demands 

This position involves frequent community-based work, including travel and outdoor activities. The role may require lifting up to 25 pounds, extended periods of standing or walking, and a flexible schedule that may include evenings or weekends.

To Apply:

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