Peer Recovery Specialist (peer Support Specialist)

Job Announcement

This position works on a peer support team working with Justice-Involved individuals in Fairfax County. Works closely with the Striving to Achieve Recovery (STAR) program within the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center (ADC). This is a peer-led program supporting individuals who have used opioids and/or other substances to engage in a program of recovery. Taking place in a specialized men’s unit in the ADC, this program engages individuals with groups, activities, and 1:1 peer support. While primarily assigned to the STAR unit, this position will also provide peer support in other areas in the ADC, in the community, and/or in the Courts. There is close collaboration with Sheriff’s Deputies, and other Law Enforcement uniformed and civilian staff.

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.

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
The appointee to this position will be required to complete a criminal background check, a Child Protective Services Registry 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.)

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 deliver all-day trainings; review and write notes; enter data; and use a computer. Ability to commute to various locations within and outside the county for training and meetings. 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. DHREmployment@fairfaxcounty.gov. EEO/AA/TTY.

#LI-AP1