Peer Recovery Specialist – Perinatal Health Hub

Peer Recovery Specialist – Perinatal Health Hub
Full time, non-exempt, 40 hours/week; Pay Rate: $17-$18/hour

Position Summary

The Peer Recovery Specialist is an individual in active recovery from mental health, substance use, and/or trauma-related challenges who uses lived experience to help others overcome similar difficulties. This position works directly with women who are pregnant, nursing, or have recently had a baby and are experiencing mental health, substance use, and trauma-related challenges. The role provides direct community outreach, maternal health and recovery education, peer recovery support, and linkages to medical care and other community services. The position works out of the organization’s Rocktown Health office in downtown Harrisonburg and conducts home visits with participants throughout surrounding areas.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities

• Provide direct services to women who are pregnant, nursing, or have recently had a baby and are experiencing mental health, substance use, and/or trauma-related challenges, consistent with the practice guidelines and ethical responsibilities of the Peer Recovery Specialist profession.
• Conduct direct community outreach to engage women in jails, on the street, at events, and at other agencies throughout the region.
• Provide maternal health and recovery education, including prenatal wellness, substance use risks during pregnancy and postpartum, and available treatment and support options.
• Help participants connect to and navigate medical care, including health insurance benefits, prenatal care, pediatric care, family planning, and mental and behavioral health treatment.
• Help participants identify and connect to community resources aligned with their goals, including housing, childcare, employment, education, public benefits, and social supports.
• Collaborate closely with a case manager, peer recovery specialists, and community partners to ensure coordinated, participant-centered care.
• Maintain regular contact with participants and document services provided, interactions, and outcomes in the organization’s electronic health record system.
• Transport and accompany participants to appointments and community resources when appropriate.
• Represent Strength In Peers professionally in community events, meetings, and collaborative efforts.

Core Competencies

• Belief that anyone can recover and thrive, with support for all recovery pathways including harm reduction
• Ability to treat all people with dignity and connect with others in ways that inspire trust, hope, and healing
• Strong written, interpersonal, and small-group communication skills
• Ability to provide participant-centered, trauma-informed, and recovery-oriented support
• Ability to navigate medical care, behavioral health services, and community resources with participants
• Comfort with community outreach, home visiting, and relationship-building across diverse settings
• Ability to collaborate effectively with case managers, peer specialists, and community partners
• General computer skills, including data entry, email, internet navigation, and electronic record documentation
• Professionalism, sound judgment, and ability to maintain confidentiality and ethical boundaries
• Flexibility to work occasional early mornings, evenings, and weekends as needed

Required Qualifications

• Identify as a person in active recovery from substance use, mental health, and/or trauma-related challenges
• High school diploma or equivalent required
• Peer Recovery Specialist Certification required or ability to obtain certification within six months of employment
• Valid driver’s license, reliable transportation, and acceptable driving record required
• Background check required

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working with pregnant or postpartum women
• Experience in peer recovery support, outreach, or service navigation
• Knowledge of maternal health, behavioral health, and community resources in the Harrisonburg region

Work Environment and Physical Demands

This position is based out of the organization’s Rocktown Health office in downtown Harrisonburg and includes regular community-based work and home visits throughout surrounding areas. The role requires reliable local travel and flexibility in scheduling, including occasional early mornings, evenings, and 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.