Peer Recovery Specialist & Youth Mentor

PEER RECOVERY SPECIALIST & YOUTH MENTOR

JOB ANNOUNCEMENT Full-Time (40 hours/week); Pay rate $16-17

Strength In Peers is seeking a qualified individual to fill its Peer Recovery Specialist & Youth Mentorposition working out of its New Market office. Occasional evenings or weekends for special events and peer support groups may be required. Training and coaching in Peer Recovery support and Youth Mentoring skills will be provided.

Position Summary:

This position is designed for an individual who is a Peer Recovery Specialist (PRS) or Certified Peer Recovery Specialists (CPRS) who has personal experience overcoming substance use, mental health, and trauma-related challenges. They will provide mentoring to children and peer support to adults. In both situations, they will draw on their experiences to form connections with participants. As trust grows, they will respectfully challenge their participants to recognize opportunities, try out new behaviors, and develop self-confidence. The ideal candidate will be passionate about working with diverse participants and serving our community’s most vulnerable, including youth at risk of out-of-home placement, individuals returning from incarceration, and individuals experiencing homelessness.

General Job Duties:

1. Provide one-on-one support to youth and adults with substance use, mental health and/or trauma-related challenges. Services are primarily provided in participants’ homes and occasionally over tele-conference.

2. Help participants identify their strengths and needs and establish and achieve personal goals.

3. Provide participants referrals and connections to community services for health care, behavioral health, housing, employment, and other needs.

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

5. Support youth and adults to adhere to the requirements of other agencies, such as school, probation, child protective services, etc.

6. Collaborate with school personnel, case managers, counselors, and other providers to plan and coordinate services to mutual participants.

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

8. Collect and report data on activities and participant outcomes into a secure data management system.

9. 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.

3. Able to connect with others and inspire confidence and hope.

4. Resourceful, proactive, and comfortable working with diverse populations.

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

6. Able to work with limited supervision and considerable self-direction.

7. Strong computer skills, including data entry, word processing, email, and internet navigation.

8. Able to pass criminal background check and child protective services background check:

• https://www.dss.virginia.gov/files/division/licensing/lcpa/intro_page/background_investigations/foster_adoptive_homes/guidance_procedures/Barrier_Crimes.pdf

9. High school diploma or equivalent.

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

11. Completion of the Virginia 72-hour Certified Peer Recovery Specialist curriculum, preferred.

12. Bilingual in Spanish and English, preferred.

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.

About us:

Strength In Peers is a nonprofit organization comprised of individuals who have experience overcoming substance use, mental health and/or trauma-related challenges. Grounded in our lived experiences, our team advocates and offers support for individuals seeking recovery. More information can be found at www.StrengthInPeers.org.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $16.00 - $17.00 per hour

Expected hours: 40 per week

Benefits:

• Bereavement leave
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Mileage reimbursement
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Professional development assistance
• Retirement plan

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift

People with a criminal record are encouraged to apply

Ability to Relocate:

• New Market, VA 22844: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person