Peer Recovery Specialist I

Salary: $ 31,362

Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:30 am - 5:00 pm

Location: Hampton, VA

About Us: The Hampton - Newport News Community Services Board is a pioneering force in implementing the Marcus-David Peters Act, also known as the Marcus Alert, in Hampton, VA. We are committed to providing compassionate and effective responses to individuals experiencing mental health crises, substance use disorders, or developmental disabilities. Our Marcus Alert program aims to create coordination between emergency services and behavioral health resources to ensure that those in crisis receive the support they need.

Position Overview: We are seeking a dedicated Peer Recovery Specialist I to join our Marcus Alert program. The Peer Recovery Specialist I will play a crucial role in providing peer support, advocacy, and daily living support to individuals in crisis. The ideal candidate will have personal experience with mental health services and a strong commitment to promoting recovery and wellness.

Peer Recovery Specialist Key Responsibilities:

• Provide peer support from the perspective of someone who has received mental health services.
• Establish supportive and trusting relationships with individuals with mental illness and substance use disorders, respecting their rights and personal preferences.
• Interact in a professional manner with program participants, peers, and collateral agencies.
• Demonstrate good oral and written communication skills.
• Operate safely in the workplace and contribute effectively as a member of a team.
• Utilize good listening skills to understand the needs of program participants.
• Acquire the skills to teach and engage in basic problem-solving strategies to support individuals in self-directed recovery.
• Commit to personal recovery and acknowledge personal strengths and limitations.
• Function calmly in stressful situations and communicate effectively both orally and in writing.

Peer Recovery Specialist Qualifications:

• Personal experience with mental health services is essential.
• Twelve (12) months of successful recovery to include making progress in learning about and managing his or her condition and in developing a life outside of, or in addition to, this condition.
• Must complete the DBHDS 72 hour Peer Recovery Specialist Training within 6 months of hire.
• Ability to establish supportive relationships and respect the rights and preferences of individuals with mental illness and substance use disorders.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to operate safely in the workplace and work effectively as part of a team.
• Good listening skills and a commitment to personal recovery.
• Ability to remain calm in stressful situations and effectively communicate orally and in writing.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience working in peer support or recovery services.
• Certification or training in peer support or a related field.

How to Apply: If you are passionate about promoting recovery and wellness and want to make a difference in the lives of individuals in crisis, we encourage you to apply. Please apply online our our website.

Hampton - Newport News Community Services Board is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity in the workplace. We encourage applications from all qualified individuals, including those with lived experience of mental health services.

The selected candidate must successfully pass a criminal history fingerprint background investigation, DMV record check, Child Registry search, drug screening test and employment reference checks.