Peer Recovery Support Specialist – Treatment Courts

SUMMARY

The Peer Recovery Support Specialist (PRSS) for the Treatment Court Program offers person-centered, recovery-oriented support to individuals navigating behavioral health challenges within the criminal justice system. This role combines lived recovery experience with professional training to foster hope, reduce stigma, and empower individuals to move forward in their recovery journey. The PRSS collaborates with multidisciplinary teams, including court and clinical staff, to support recovery goals, reduce recidivism, and promote long-term wellness and community reintegration.

EOE Statement

At HOPE, our goal is to be a diverse workforce that is representative, at all levels, of the community we serve.  We embrace and encourage our employees’ differences in age, color, disability, ethnicity, family or marital status, gender identity or expression, language, national origin, physical and mental ability, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, veteran status, and other characteristics that make our employees unique. We are proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and an affirmative action employer.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

• Deliver peer support services in alignment with agency policies, CARF and ODMHSAS standards, and all relevant confidentiality laws, including Medicaid and HCA guidelines.
• Foster a welcoming, recovery-focused environment that recognizes and respects the impact of trauma and co-occurring conditions.
• Serve as a positive role model by sharing lived experiences and offering mentorship, encouragement, and coping strategies that support recovery and resilience.
• Provide regular in-person and community-based support services that meet the unique needs of Treatment Court participants, with an emphasis on preventing re-incarceration or hospitalization.
• Assist clients with navigating benefits systems, including Medicaid, Social Security, QMB, and other entitlements.
• Help clients with criminal justice backgrounds locate, secure, and maintain employment and community resources that promote independence.
• Maintain accurate and timely records, including address and contact updates, financial information, and clinical documentation completed the same day of service when possible.
• Conduct collaborative documentation with clients, using a therapeutic and strengths-based approach.
• Participate actively in treatment team meetings and serve as a liaison with court staff and other stakeholders as needed.
• Provide transportation to clients using personal or agency vehicles as appropriate.
• Support client development of independent living skills, community integration, and social connection through one-on-one or group activities.
• Seek ongoing supervision and professional development to enhance skills and maintain high standards of ethics and professionalism.
• Adheres to agency policy and procedures, as found in the online SharePoint Folder.  Also adheres to CARF and ODMHSAS standards and criteria, federal and state confidentiality rules and regulations, and any special funding source requirements including Medicaid and HCA regulations.
• Supports and promotes a service environment for individual in need of behavioral health and/or co-occurring services that is recovery focused, welcoming, and attentive to the needs of individuals who may have experienced trauma in their lives.  Attends annual core competencies training in relationship to individuals with co-occurring disorders or who have experienced trauma in their lives.
• Utilizes knowledge, skills and abilities to teach and mentor the value of every individual's recovery experience; model effective coping techniques and self-help strategies;  assist service recipients in articulating personal goals for recovery;  assist service recipients in determining the objectives needed to reach his/her recovery goals.
• Act as Court Liaison backup to the Court Liaison Case Managers and attend court proceedings on behalf of clients in Treatment Courts when needed.
• May be required to provide services in a community setting.

QUALIFICATIONS  To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

• High School diploma or GED
• Must have personal demonstrated recovery from a mental illness, substance abuse disorder, or both

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS

• Required to obtain and maintain C-PRSS Certification.
• Required to complete Therapeutic Options or approved safety training and annual updates.
• May be required to obtain and maintain First Aid and CPR Certifications.
• In order to provide client transportation in private or agency vehicles, must possess current, valid Oklahoma license, meet HOPE insurance requirements. HOPE will annually obtain copy of Motor Vehicle Record from the Department of Public Safety.

LANGUAGE SKILLS

Ability to read and comprehend simple instructions, short correspondence, and memos. Ability to write simple correspondence and clinical writing/documentation in medical records chart. Ability to effectively present information in one-on-one and small group situations to families, clients, and other employees of the organization.

REASONING ABILITY

Ability to apply commonsense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form. Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations.  Ability to seek out supervisory assistance for additional training when needed and make application of techniques or other skills to meet essential job duties and responsibilities.

OTHER SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Deep commitment to serving individuals with complex behavioral health needs with empathy, respect, and dignity. 

• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build trust, engage clients meaningfully, and meet them where they are—emotionally and physically. 

• Ability to apply trauma-informed principles in all interactions, creating a safe, nonjudgmental space for healing and growth. 

• Skilled in navigating systems and advocating for clients to access services that promote stability, independence, and recovery. 

• Comfortable working in community-based settings, including homes, shelters, hospitals, and public spaces. 

• Organized and self-motivated, able to balance a full caseload while meeting documentation and billing standards. 

• Collaborative team member who communicates openly, respects diverse perspectives, and contributes to a supportive work environment. 

• Tech-savvy and capable of using electronic health records, documentation systems, and virtual communication platforms. 
• Willingness to grow, receive feedback, and participate in ongoing training to better serve clients and uphold HOPE’s mission. 

PHYSICAL DEMANDS  The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; and climb or balance. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. The employee must have vision enough to read written or typed data.  Must have hearing and speech enough to communicate effectively with staff, clients, and public in person or by phone.

WORK ENVIRONMENT  The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee occasionally works in outside weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.