What are the responsibilities and job description for the Peer Support Specialist position at Gavin Foundation, Inc.?
JOB TITLE: Peer Support Specialist
REPORTS TO: DRC Program Director
SUMMARY OF POSITION: The Peer Support Specialist provides peer-to-peer support and recovery services to individuals seeking or maintaining recovery from substance use. This role is responsible for supporting members, facilitating connections to resources, and ensuring a safe and welcoming environment. The Peer Support Specialist also plays a key role in community engagement, outreach, and supporting recovery-centered programming.
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:
REPORTS TO: DRC Program Director
SUMMARY OF POSITION: The Peer Support Specialist provides peer-to-peer support and recovery services to individuals seeking or maintaining recovery from substance use. This role is responsible for supporting members, facilitating connections to resources, and ensuring a safe and welcoming environment. The Peer Support Specialist also plays a key role in community engagement, outreach, and supporting recovery-centered programming.
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Engage with members to provide peer support and foster connections to recovery services.
- Offer information and referrals to assist members in accessing community resources.
- Monitor and support daily activities and facilitate social events.
- Collaborate with the Volunteer Coordinator to match members with volunteer opportunities.
- Conduct outreach within the recovery community through local programs, halfway houses, support groups, and events.
- Complete the Second Shift Task List and DRC Closing Checklist; ensure all remaining tasks not completed by volunteers are completed by the end of the shift.
- Represent the organization at community events and assist with media outreach to increase visibility.
- Maintain uptodate and accurate documentation in accordance with program guidelines.
- Participate in wellness and recoveryrelated workshops and training.
- Facilitate or support peerled groups and recovery support meetings.
- Assist in collecting data for program reporting and evaluation.
- Provide support, as needed, to the Donation Closet initiative.
- Attend communication meetings held at 4pm every weekday.
- Attend monthly 1 on 1 and group supervision with the Program Director.
- Work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends as needed.
- Perform other related duties as assigned.
- Lived experience with substance use recovery preferred; if in recovery, a minimum of 1 year is strongly preferred.
- Must be able to pass MA CORI and Drug Testing requirements
- Willingness to obtain Recovery Coach Training and Certification
- Strong verbal and written communication skills.
- Familiarity with the Greater Boston recovery community and resources.
- Experience in outreach, program planning, or coordination is highly desirable.
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a peerdriven environment.
- Commitment to recovery principles, peer support, and community empowerment.