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Peer Support Specialist

Employer
Fairfax County Government
Location
Fairfax, Virginia
Salary
$41,253.89 - $68,755.86 Annually
Closing date
Feb 4, 2023

Job Details

Job Announcement

Under supervision, provides peer support to individuals served through the Peer Mental Health Navigation Program int the CSB Office of Individual and Family Affairs. Services provided may include group peer support, individual peer support, recovery planning, and services navigation. Services may be provided in collaboration with the CSB’s Behavioral Health Outpatient Programs (BHOP), CSB Entry Assessment and Referral, and/or other programs. Collaborates as needed with other staff and partners including case managers, therapists, nurses, and psychiatrists. Primary office location is the Bulova Center for Community Health, with other service locations at multiple program sites, virtually and in-person, and/or in the community. Populations served are individuals with individuals mental health challenges.

Note: The population of Fairfax County is very diverse where 39.8% of residents speak a language other than English at home (Spanish, Asian/Pacific Islander, Indo-European, and others) and we encourage candidates bilingual in English and a foreign language to apply to this opportunity.

To learn more about careers that make a difference, watch our video "CSB Celebrates 50th Anniversary of Providing Care."

Illustrative Duties

(The illustrative duties listed in this specification are representative of the class but are not an all-inclusive list. A complete list of position duties and unique physical requirements can be found in the position job description.)
  • Facilitates wellness and recovery groups and teaches recovery principles one on one;
  • Assists individuals to fully participate in the communities where they live and work by orienting individuals to community resources, educating how to access, and advocating for increased opportunities for involvement;
  • Coaches individuals in developing wellness and recovery plans, following through with those plans, and overcoming obstacles.
  • Facilitates communication and understanding between recipients and providers of services so that providers make better informed recommendations and recipients make better informed choices;
  • Explains services and procedures to individuals being served, and anyone they want to be involved for their support, so they know what to expect;
  • Assists individuals to articulate their needs and concerns to providers;
  • Provides a welcoming and supportive atmosphere for individuals receiving services;
  • Serves as advocate and liaison between individuals, families, clinical professionals, physicians, and others involved in the individual’s recovery;
  • Assists other staff with supporting those being served and reviewing their progress and consults as necessary when individuals are in psychiatric crisis or appear to be at risk.


Required Knowledge Skills and Abilities

(The knowledge, skills and abilities listed in this specification are representative of the class but are not an all-inclusive list.)
  • Ability to use one's lived personal experience of mental illness and/or substance use experience with accessing different levels of care;
  • Ability to use one's lived experience to further healthy, positive interactions with service recipients at differing levels of engagement and stages of change
  • Knowledge of the principles, process and components of wellness and recovery;
  • Knowledge of ethics and boundaries as they relate to the peer specialist practice;
  • Knowledge of human services available from public, private and volunteer organizations;
  • Ability to establish rapport and maintain effective relationships and boundaries with individuals receiving services, staff, and the general public;
  • Ability to retrieve, compose and save progress notes into the electronic health record;
  • Ability to maintain confidentiality of clinical, medical, and other sensitive records;
  • Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.


Employment Standards

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Graduation from high school or a GED issued by a state department of education; plus 4 months of experience in providing peer/recovery support services.

CERTIFICATES AND LICENSES REQUIRED:
  • Registered Peer Recovery Specialist (RPRS) with the Virginia Department of Health Professions (DHP) within six months of employment.
  • Valid Motor Vehicle Driver's license with fewer than six demerit points (or equivalent in another state) maintained throughout employment.

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
The appointee to this position will be required to complete a criminal background check, a Child Protective Services Registry check, driving record check, and sanction screening to the satisfaction of the employer. A TB screening upon hire and annually thereafter.

This position is emergency/essential services personnel. (Required to report for duty during inclement weather and/or other emergencies.)

All newly hired employees are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 (two weeks after the last required dose) as a condition of employment or obtain approval of a medical or religious exemption prior to their start date. Proof of an exemption or vaccination status will be required during the pre-employment onboarding process. New employees who obtain an exemption from the vaccine mandate for medical or sincerely held religious beliefs may be subject to a weekly testing requirement. Vaccinated employees and employees with a medical or religious exemption will complete the attestation online on their first day of employment or shortly thereafter.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
  • Demonstrated knowledge of community resources in Fairfax County f or the mental health population.
  • At least 1 year of experience working with mental health population.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
Ability to lift up to 15 lbs; read data on computer monitor(s); operate keyboard driven equipment; and communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing. Ability to transport clients in a county vehicle. All duties performed with or without reasonable accommodations.

SELECTION PROCEDURE:
Panel interview and may include a practical exercise.

Fairfax County Government prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, age, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetics, political affiliation, or military status in the recruitment, selection, and hiring of its workforce.

Reasonable accommodations are available to persons with disabilities during application and/or interview processes per the Americans with Disabilities Act. Contact 703-324-4900 for assistance. TTY 703-222-7314. EEO/AA/TTY.

Company

Fairfax County, Virginia is a diverse and thriving urban county. As the most populous jurisdiction in both Virginia and the Washington metropolitan area, the County's population exceeds that of seven states. The median household income of Fairfax County is one of the highest in the nation and over half of its adult residents have four-year college degrees or more educational attainment. Fairfax County also is home to an extensive commercial office market and is a major employment center.

Fairfax County Government is a great place to work, with a variety of jobs in different fields, great benefits, and an enjoyable working environment. We serve nearly one million residents in one of the largest counties in the country. Our talented employees have established Fairfax County as a leader in nearly every facet of public service and have won national recognition as innovators in local government.The size of Fairfax County government and the diversity of services it provides to citizens allows opportunities for personal growth and development, without ever having to change employers. In addition to pay, Fairfax County Government provides an employee benefits package worth approximately 25% of your salary in additional compensation. This package of benefits consists of programs designed to protect you and your family during your employment with the county and into your retirement years.


BENEFITS INCLUDE:
Health Insurance
Dental Insurance
Group Term Life Insurance
Contributory Retirement Plan
Deferred Compensation
Flexible Spending Account Programs
Long Term Disability Insurance
Long Term Care Plan
Tuition Assistance Program
Employees' Child Care Center
Virginia College Savings Plans

Fairfax County's Application Process: Fairfax County uses an online application process called NEOGOV at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/jobsfor nearly all positions.

Applicants who need assistance with the online application process are welcome to come to the Application Center at Fairfax County's HR Central where staff will be happy to work with you to establish an account and get your resume into the system. HR Central is located in the Government Center at 12000 Government Center Parkway, Suite 270, Fairfax, VA, and is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Or call 703-222-5872 for more information.

For more information on applying, please click here - https://www.governmentjobs.com/home/applicationguide.

Company info
Website
Location
12000 Government Center Parkway
Suite 270
Fairfax
VA
22035-0034
US

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