ACT Peer Support Specialist

The City of Alexandria is located in Northern Virginia and is bordered by the District of Columbia (Potomac River), Arlington and Fairfax counties. With a population of approximately 150,000 and a land area of 15.75 square miles, Alexandria is the seventh largest city in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Alexandria has a charming waterfront and is a unique and historic place to live and work. If you are interested in working for the vibrant City of Alexandria, we invite qualified candidates to apply for our Peer Support Specialistposition.

An Overview: 

The ACT (Assertive Community Treatment ) Peer Support Specialist provides peer support services to individuals with a serious mental illness or co-occurring mental illness and substance abuse disorders, provides motivational support to begin the process of understanding recovery and stages of change, assists clients, staff and others understand appropriate supportive responses, wellness measures, and the overall recovery process, offers assistance with advocacy and psychosocial rehabilitation to improve community integration.

What You Should Bring: 

The ideal candidate will have some experience providing services to individuals who have had a serious mental illness or co-occurring mental illness and substance abuse disorders. Peer Support Specialist will be grounded in consumer values, empowerment, and self-determination and have knowledge of peer support, WRAP, integrated treatment for individuals who have a serious mental illness and/or co-occurring mental health and substance abuse disorders; knowledge of community resources, and ability to access these services; ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with clients and their families; and the ability to communicate clearly and effectively both orally and in writing.

The Opportunity:

• Teach and support the acquisition and utilization of skills needed to facilitate individual recovery.
• Facilitates development of Wellness Recovery Action Plans and other self-help recovery tools and support networks.
• Helps clients understand how to utilize community resources in the recovery process.
• Facilitates a monthly family support group.
• Assists, when appropriate, family members and others to understand possible warning.
  signs and triggers, appropriate supportive responses, wellness measures, and the
  overall recovery process.
• Models coping techniques and self-help strategies and reinforces the potential for recovery.
• Facilitates peer support groups.
• Assists clients in planning recreational and educational activities.
• Participates in treatment team meetings.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

About the Department:

The Center for Adult Services (CAS) provides programs and services in Aging, Adult Protective Services, Clinical & Emergency Services, and Community & Residential Support Services for seniors and for persons with mental illness, intellectual disabilities and substance use disorders. CAS provides compassionate and effective person-centered services based on best practices. Our teams support self-determination, safety and recovery for Alexandria residents affected by abuse, neglect, mental illness, intellectual disabilities and substance abuse disorders.

High School Diploma or GED. At least six (6) months of personal experience with and knowledge of recovery and/or living with significant emotional, mental/behavioral health and/or substance use challenges or the caregiver (biological, adoptive or kin) of a child with significant emotional, mental/behavioral health and/or substance use challenges, and a willingness to acknowledge this experience to peers and others, as appropriate. Experience navigating the mental/behavioral health, substance use, child welfare and/or juvenile justice systems for themselves or their child. Licenses/Certifications: Certification as a Peer Recovery Specialist (CPRS) in Virginia within one year of hire. Successful completion of Federal / Criminal records Check and Child Abuse Registry Check.

Possession of a bachelor’s degree in a human service field and one year of experience working with individuals with a mental illness or co-occurring mental illness and substance abuse disorders. At least one year of experience working with individuals who have been homeless. Must have a valid Driver’s License.

This position requires the successful completion of pre-employment background checks including but not limited to: FBI/Federal Records Check, VA State Child Abuse/Neglect Registry, Medicare/Medicaid Fraud Database, education/certifications, drug testing, and driver’s license.

Schedule:

Monday through Friday, 8:00AM - 5:00PM.