What are the responsibilities and job description for the Forensic Peer Counselor position at DC Department of Human Resources?
Job Summary
This is a Grant funded Position. The incumbent of this position serves as a Forensic Peer Counselor in the Department of Behavioral Health (DBH) office of Forensic Services Division (FSD) and funded through the State Opioid Response (SOR) grant. Assists in the direction and administration of complex and diverse behavioral health services for individuals involved in the criminal justice system, the management of behavioral health programs associated with justice-involved individuals, and in policy setting authority functions for DBH. The primary responsibilities of this position are to provide a wide array of community-based behavioral health services and outreach support to those individuals who are involved in the criminal justice system with opioid use disorder (OUD), stimulant use disorder (STUD), and other substance use disorders. The Forensic Peer Counselor utilizes shared experiences and practical knowledge to engage referred individuals with vulnerabilities such as mental illness and substance use, particularly those with or at-risk of opioid use disorder and/or stimulant use disorder to maximize the likelihood of successful outcomes. The incumbent serves as a liaison between DBH and the D.C. Superior Court. Utilizes the District’s existing peer recovery initiatives, such as the Peer Activities and Peer Operated Centers and Recovery Housing to support individuals served. Assists with behavior modeling as well as ongoing support to promote successful completion.
This position IS in the collective bargaining unit represented by SED, and you may be required to pay an agency service fee through an automatic payroll deduction.
Area of Consideration: Open to the Public
First Screening Date: June 11, 2026, and Every Two Weeks Thereafter
Duration of Appointment: Term Appointment Not-to-Exceed 13 Months
Tour of Duty: Rotating Shifts (May work weekends and holidays)
Work Site: 35K Street NE, Washington, DC
Qualification Requirement
This position requires one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level. Specialized experience is experience which has equipped the candidate with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position to be filled.
LICENSURE/CERTIFICATION
Certified Peer Specialist Training Certificate is required
EDUCATION
High School Diploma or Equivalency (GED)
Work Experience
Experiences in mental health, Substance use and community outreach. Participation in behavioral health programs associated with justice-involved individuals.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
Work is performed in D.C. Superior Court, consumer residences, community-based facilities or specialized service centers throughout the District of Columbia metropolitan area. Some degree of hazard may be present in working with emotionally disturbed consumers and their families and caretakers
Position Designation: This position is deemed as “Safety Sensitive” pursuant to Section 410 of Chapter 4 of the D.C. Personnel Regulations, in addition to the general suitability screening, individuals applying for or occupying safety sensitive positions are subject to the following checks and tests:
RESIDENCY PREFERENCE
A person applying for a position in the Career Service, Educational Service, Management Supervisory Service, a line attorney position in the Legal Service (series 905), or an attorney position in the Excepted Service (series 905) who is a bona fide District resident AT THE TIME OF APPLICATION for the position may be awarded a 10-point residency preference over non-District applicants, unless the person declines the preference points. If selected, the person shall be required to present proof of bona fide District residency and maintain such residency for 7 consecutive years from the effective date of the appointment. Failure to maintain bona fide District residency for the 7-year period will result in forfeiture of employment.
EEO Statement: The District of Columbia Government does not discriminate or retaliate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, gender identity and expression, national origin, family responsibilities, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, homeless status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, participation in a legally protected activity, parental status, matriculation, personal appearance, credit information, status as a victim or family member of a victim of domestic violence, sexual offense, or stalking, military service, or other non-merit factor.
This is a Grant funded Position. The incumbent of this position serves as a Forensic Peer Counselor in the Department of Behavioral Health (DBH) office of Forensic Services Division (FSD) and funded through the State Opioid Response (SOR) grant. Assists in the direction and administration of complex and diverse behavioral health services for individuals involved in the criminal justice system, the management of behavioral health programs associated with justice-involved individuals, and in policy setting authority functions for DBH. The primary responsibilities of this position are to provide a wide array of community-based behavioral health services and outreach support to those individuals who are involved in the criminal justice system with opioid use disorder (OUD), stimulant use disorder (STUD), and other substance use disorders. The Forensic Peer Counselor utilizes shared experiences and practical knowledge to engage referred individuals with vulnerabilities such as mental illness and substance use, particularly those with or at-risk of opioid use disorder and/or stimulant use disorder to maximize the likelihood of successful outcomes. The incumbent serves as a liaison between DBH and the D.C. Superior Court. Utilizes the District’s existing peer recovery initiatives, such as the Peer Activities and Peer Operated Centers and Recovery Housing to support individuals served. Assists with behavior modeling as well as ongoing support to promote successful completion.
This position IS in the collective bargaining unit represented by SED, and you may be required to pay an agency service fee through an automatic payroll deduction.
Area of Consideration: Open to the Public
First Screening Date: June 11, 2026, and Every Two Weeks Thereafter
Duration of Appointment: Term Appointment Not-to-Exceed 13 Months
Tour of Duty: Rotating Shifts (May work weekends and holidays)
Work Site: 35K Street NE, Washington, DC
Qualification Requirement
This position requires one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level. Specialized experience is experience which has equipped the candidate with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position to be filled.
LICENSURE/CERTIFICATION
Certified Peer Specialist Training Certificate is required
EDUCATION
High School Diploma or Equivalency (GED)
Work Experience
Experiences in mental health, Substance use and community outreach. Participation in behavioral health programs associated with justice-involved individuals.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
Work is performed in D.C. Superior Court, consumer residences, community-based facilities or specialized service centers throughout the District of Columbia metropolitan area. Some degree of hazard may be present in working with emotionally disturbed consumers and their families and caretakers
Position Designation: This position is deemed as “Safety Sensitive” pursuant to Section 410 of Chapter 4 of the D.C. Personnel Regulations, in addition to the general suitability screening, individuals applying for or occupying safety sensitive positions are subject to the following checks and tests:
- Criminal background check;
- Traffic record check (as applicable);
- Pre-employment drug and alcohol test;
- Reasonable suspicion drug and alcohol test;
- Post-accident or incident drug and alcohol test;
- Random drug and alcohol test; and
- Return-to-duty or follow-up drug and alcohol test.
RESIDENCY PREFERENCE
A person applying for a position in the Career Service, Educational Service, Management Supervisory Service, a line attorney position in the Legal Service (series 905), or an attorney position in the Excepted Service (series 905) who is a bona fide District resident AT THE TIME OF APPLICATION for the position may be awarded a 10-point residency preference over non-District applicants, unless the person declines the preference points. If selected, the person shall be required to present proof of bona fide District residency and maintain such residency for 7 consecutive years from the effective date of the appointment. Failure to maintain bona fide District residency for the 7-year period will result in forfeiture of employment.
EEO Statement: The District of Columbia Government does not discriminate or retaliate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, gender identity and expression, national origin, family responsibilities, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, homeless status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, participation in a legally protected activity, parental status, matriculation, personal appearance, credit information, status as a victim or family member of a victim of domestic violence, sexual offense, or stalking, military service, or other non-merit factor.