Certified Recovery Peer Specialist

The Certified Recovery Peer Specialist (CRPS) leverages personal, lived expertise in navigating mental health challenges or substance use recovery to deliver targeted, non-clinical behavioral health support. Operating as an integral bridge between non-clinical interventions and sustainable community reintegration, the CRPS mentors and empowers individuals by co-designing person-centered wellness plans, facilitating self-advocacy, and modeling long-term resilience. By transforming their personal history into an evidence-based support tool, they effectively reduce crisis recurrence and foster self-determination in those they serve.

Core Responsibilities of a CRPS:

• Facilitate a weekly, one-hour peer group session to encourage recovery and work on recovery skills. Mentoring and Role Modeling: Share personal recovery journeys to inspire hope, demonstrate that long-term wellness is possible, and build authentic peer-to-peer trust.
• Goal Setting and Guidance: Assist individuals in identifying their own strengths, establishing self-directed recovery goals, and creating wellness plans (such as a Wellness Recovery Action Plan).
• System Advocacy: Help individuals advocate for their own needs, rights, and choices within behavioral health and community service systems. Bridging Support: Work alongside management staff—like Program Directors, Senior CRPS, and case managers—by providing non-clinical, everyday environmental support that extends past traditional office settings
• Departmental Liaison: Serve as the primary point of contact between the CRPS team and other departments; communicate updates and advocate for the team’s needs.

Qualifications:

• Lived Experience: Must have self-identified, lived experience with personal recovery from mental health and/ or substance use challenge.
• Certification: Active state Certified Recovery Peer Specialist (CRPS) credential (or equivalent state-validated peer certification).
• Education: Minimum of a Hight School Diploma/GED (Preferred degree in Human Services or social work but not a requirement.
• Clearances: Ability to successfully pass all state-required background checks and registry screenings.
• Minimum of 2years of recovery from substance use disorders of other co-occurring disorders. 1-2years of experience working in a community-based recovery setting.
• Leadership ability that initiates building skills, provides ethical problem-solving, and performs administrative duties as required for the position.
• Flexibility to work various shifts, including weekends or holidays.