What are the responsibilities and job description for the Peer Recovery Specialist position at City of Chesapeake?
Position Information
Working Title of Vacant Position
Peer Recovery Specialist
Job Type
Full Time
Posting Type
Public
Number of Vacancies
1
Department
CHES INT BEHAV HEALTHC
Division
CIBH MENTAL HLTH SVC
Requisition Number
2026363
Number of hours worked per week
40
Work Schedule
Monday-Friday 8:00 am-4:30 pm with a 30-minute lunch.
Employees may be expected to work hours in excess of their normally scheduled hours in response to short-term department needs and/or City-wide emergencies.
- Occasional weekend and evening hours will be required.
Employees may be expected to work hours in excess of their normally scheduled hours in response to short-term department needs and/or City-wide emergencies.
Work Site Location
Chesapeake, VA
Position Driving Requirement
R - Routine
Pay Grade
GE07
Pay Basis
Semi-Monthly
Advertised Salary
Starting Range: $45,852 – $68,205
Actual starting salary depends on credentials and experience
Actual starting salary depends on credentials and experience
Job Description
Are you a compassionate and caring individual interested in using your lived experience with mental illness and/or substance use and recovery to model wellness, recovery, and resiliency as a Peer Recovery Specialist?
Chesapeake Integrated Behavioral Health (CIBH) is seeking a substance use or co-occurring Peer Recovery Specialist to support peers in their mental health and substance use recovery by modeling personal responsibility, self-advocacy, and wellness via telling your recovery story; assisting them in identifying personal recovery goals; and developing and utilizing recovery plans with the skills, strengths, supports, and resources to aid them in achieving those goals. This position will include being part of the mobile PEAKE Team who work off of a 34-foot RV out in the community providing overdose prevention and response education and resources, as well as peer support. Part of being on the PEAKE Team includes the responsibility of being trained to both operate and drive the RV.
TYPICAL TASKS
Chesapeake Integrated Behavioral Health (CIBH) is seeking a substance use or co-occurring Peer Recovery Specialist to support peers in their mental health and substance use recovery by modeling personal responsibility, self-advocacy, and wellness via telling your recovery story; assisting them in identifying personal recovery goals; and developing and utilizing recovery plans with the skills, strengths, supports, and resources to aid them in achieving those goals. This position will include being part of the mobile PEAKE Team who work off of a 34-foot RV out in the community providing overdose prevention and response education and resources, as well as peer support. Part of being on the PEAKE Team includes the responsibility of being trained to both operate and drive the RV.
TYPICAL TASKS
- Assist individuals in identifying personal recovery goals through use of individual and group sessions.
- Support individuals as they create goals; develop recovery plans with the skills, strengths, supports, and resources to aid them in achieving those goals
- Teach/train recovery information and recovery tools to assist individuals in developing individualized wellness and recovery plans.
- Model personal responsibility, self-advocacy, and wellness via telling of their own recovery story
- Support individuals’ vocational choices and assist them in choosing a job that matches their strengths, overcoming job-related anxiety by reviewing job applications, and providing interview tips and resume assistance
- Assist individuals with obtaining services that meet their identified needs, desires, and recovery goals, assist them with accessing community resources and identifying natural supports, setting up and sustaining self-help (mutual support) groups, as well as means of locating and joining existing groups
- Facilitate and/or co-facilitate peer lead groups, engage in trainings and additional workgroups/coalitions as appropriate
- Work as part of the mobile PEAKE Team out in the community providing overdose prevention and response education and resources, peer support for individuals using drugs and work with community partners to expand community outreach
- Collaborate regularly with treatment team members, other services providers, and significant others as necessary
- Maintain accurate Medicaid standard case files consistent with agency guidelines and licensure standards and complete clinical documentation in agencies electronic health record.
- Performs other related duties as assigned
The City of Chesapeake offers an exceptional range of benefits.
#PeerRecoverySpecialist
#RecoverySupport
#PeerSupport
Required Qualifications
Vocational/Educational Requirement: Requires any combination of education and experience equivalent to an associate’s degree in Psychology, Sociology, or related field.
Experience: In addition to satisfying the vocational/education standards, this job class requires a minimum of one year of related, full-time equivalent experience.
Special Certifications and Licenses: Must possess a current Certified Peer Recovery Specialist (CPRS) certification in the Commonwealth of Virginia and have completed the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS) Peer Recovery Specialist Training prior to hire. Must maintain a valid driver’s license and a driving record in compliance with City driving standards.
Special Requirement(s): Employees may be expected to work hours in excess of their normally scheduled hours in response to short-term department needs and/or City-wide emergencies. Emergency operations support work and work locations may be outside of normal job duties.
Experience: In addition to satisfying the vocational/education standards, this job class requires a minimum of one year of related, full-time equivalent experience.
Special Certifications and Licenses: Must possess a current Certified Peer Recovery Specialist (CPRS) certification in the Commonwealth of Virginia and have completed the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS) Peer Recovery Specialist Training prior to hire. Must maintain a valid driver’s license and a driving record in compliance with City driving standards.
Special Requirement(s): Employees may be expected to work hours in excess of their normally scheduled hours in response to short-term department needs and/or City-wide emergencies. Emergency operations support work and work locations may be outside of normal job duties.
Preferred Qualifications
Candidates MUST have completed the DBHDS 72 hr Peer Recovery Course AND hold a valid Virginia Peer Recovery Specialist Certification
Posting Detail Information
Job Open Date
07/27/2026
Job Close Date
08/10/2026
Open Continuous
No
Special Instructions to Applicants
Please ensure that all employment entries listed on the application and resume are indicated as either Full or Part time.
Medical Marijuana:
In accordance with City policy, this position is deemed safety-sensitive. As such, applicants for this position are subject to pre-employment drug/alcohol testing after receiving a conditional offer of employment and may also be subject to random testing. This drug test includes testing for marijuana. Possession of a medical marijuana card will not excuse an applicant from the testing process; however, a test will not be considered positive for marijuana if a valid medical marijuana certification is presented unless the position requires a commercial driver’s license (CDL) or is a sworn law-enforcement officer/deputy.
Medical Marijuana:
In accordance with City policy, this position is deemed safety-sensitive. As such, applicants for this position are subject to pre-employment drug/alcohol testing after receiving a conditional offer of employment and may also be subject to random testing. This drug test includes testing for marijuana. Possession of a medical marijuana card will not excuse an applicant from the testing process; however, a test will not be considered positive for marijuana if a valid medical marijuana certification is presented unless the position requires a commercial driver’s license (CDL) or is a sworn law-enforcement officer/deputy.
ADA Checklist
Overall Physical Strength Demands
Overall Physical Strength Demands
L=Light - Exerting up to 20 lbs. occasionally, 10 lbs. frequently, or negligible amounts constantly OR requires walking or standing to a significant degree.
Physical Demands
C = Continuously- 2/3 or more of the time. F = Frequently- From 1/3 to 2/3 of the time. O = Occasionally- Up to 1/3 of the time. R = Rarely- Less than 1 hour per week. N = Never- Never occurs.
Standing
Occasionally- Up to 1/3 of the time.
Sitting
Occasionally- Up to 1/3 of the time.
Walking
Occasionally- Up to 1/3 of the time.
Lifting
Rarely- Less than 1 hour per week.
Lifting Amount
Exerting up to 20 lbs
Carrying
Rarely- Less than 1 hour per week.
Carrying Weight
Exerting up to 10 lbs
Pushing/Pulling
Rarely- Less than 1 hour per week.
Pushing/Pulling Weight
Exerting up to 20 lbs
Reaching
Occasionally- Up to 1/3 of the time.
Handling
Frequently- From 1/3 to 2/3 of the time.
Fine Dexterity
Continuously- 2/3 or more of the time.
Kneeling
Rarely- Less than 1 hour per week.
Crouching
Never- Never occurs.
Crawling
Never- Never occurs.
Bending
Rarely- Less than 1 hour per week.
Twisting
Rarely- Less than 1 hour per week.
Climbing
Never- Never occurs.
Balancing
Rarely- Less than 1 hour per week.
Vision
Continuously- 2/3 or more of the time.
Hearing
Continuously- 2/3 or more of the time.
Talking
Frequently- From 1/3 to 2/3 of the time.
Foot Controls
Occasionally- Up to 1/3 of the time.
Machines, Tools, Equipment and Work Aids Used
office equipment: laptop, cellphone, fax, copier, city vehicle, RV
Protective Equipment Required
gloves, face mask (optional)
Health and Safety
D = Daily W = Several Times Per Week M = Several Times Per Month S = Seasonally N = Never
Mechanical Hazards
N = Never
Chemical Hazards
N = Never
Electrical Hazards
N = Never
Fire Hazards
N = Never
Explosives
N = Never
Communicable Diseases
S = Seasonally
Physical Danger or Abuse
S = Seasonally
Other
If Other, Description
Environmental Factors
D = Daily W = Several Times Per Week M = Several Times Per Month S = Seasonally N = Never
Dirt and Dust
S = Seasonally
Extreme Temperatures
N = Never
Noise and Vibration
N = Never
Fumes and Odors
N = Never
Wetness/Humidity
N = Never
Darkness or Poor Lighting
N = Never
Primary Work Location
Office Environment, Vehicle
Non-Physical Demands
C = Continuously- 2/3 or more of the time. F = Frequently- From 1/3 to 2/3 of the time. O = Occasionally- Up to 1/3 of the time. R = Rarely- Less than 1 hour per week. N = Never- Never occurs.
Time Pressures
Occasionally- Up to 1/3 of the time.
Emergency Situations
Rarely- Less than 1 hour per week.
Frequent Change of Tasks
Occasionally- Up to 1/3 of the time.
Irregular Work Schedule/Overtime
Rarely- Less than 1 hour per week.
Performing Multiple Tasks Simultaneously
Occasionally- Up to 1/3 of the time.
Working Closely with Others as Part of a Team
Continuously- 2/3 or more of the time.
Tedious or Exacting Work
Occasionally- Up to 1/3 of the time.
Noisy/Distracting Environment
Rarely- Less than 1 hour per week.
Other
If Other, Description
Can anyone assist the employee in performing the primary tasks assigned to this position? If yes, identify the eligible task(s)
Other Peers, Supervisor
Professional References
Professional References
Please provide contact information for professional references.
Minimum Requests
0
Maximum Requests
4
Salary : $45,852 - $68,205