Job Announcement

The Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board (CSB) is hiring a Peer Recovery Specialist. The Peer Recovery Specialist operates within a team of professionals who deliver services to individuals receiving behavioral health services with the Jail Diversion team. Delivers peer support services with a recovery focus, and a primary goal of connecting individuals to community-based recovery supports consistent with their recovery plan. People with personal experience as a recipient of mental health and/or substance use treatment or of personal recovery are encouraged to apply. Honesty, respect for diversity, high personal standards, professional language and behavior reflecting such values are essential. As part of the Jail Diversion team the PRS Coordinates with Probation, the Public Defender's Office, treatment providers and the court. In joining the Jail Diversion program you’ll be a part of a team of diverse professionals helping individuals who have had contact with the criminal justice system transform their lives and achieve recovery.

We strive to create a work environment that facilitates professional growth by broadening your skill base with extensive training and development, modeling best practices in employee relations, employee recognition programs and advancement opportunities along with providing a highly competitive wage and benefits package. Since 1969, the CSB has served individuals of all ages who have mental illness, substance use disorders, serious emotional and/or developmental disabilities. Our vision, aligned with the goals of One Fairfax, is that everyone in our community has the support needed to live a healthy, fulfilling life. Fairfax County is a dynamic and diverse community spanning over 400 square miles. With over 1.2 million residents, Fairfax County is the most populous jurisdiction in Virginia. Operating as part of Fairfax County government's human services system the CSB provides a wide array of services offering opportunities for career growth and advancement.

More information about CSB Services may be found at Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board Community Services Board (fairfaxcounty.gov).

May conduct individual, group, and family therapy and testify in court. Must maintain detailed documentation in an Electronic Health Record meeting state, local and federal performance contract and licensing expectations.

A commitment is made to offer scheduling flexibility, as program needs allow.

The CSB recognizes that staff competence speaking a variety of languages is necessary to meet client needs. A foreign language skills stipend of up to $1300/year (full-time) may be given for qualified bi-lingual employees.

Service provisions are based on client and program need. In response to the COVID-19 Pandemic, some positions offer services via telehealth for non-acute services. Other positions offer limited opportunities for telework. Teleworking options may vary by position.

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

Interviews may include a pre-recorded video interviewing system. The interviews for this system are sent via email.

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:
Some positions within this classification will require additional certifications and licenses, as defined by the position description and posted in job announcements.

• 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, a 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 will still be subject to the 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:

• Current Peer Specialist Certification
• Experience working with the criminal justice system

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
Ability to operate a motor vehicle. Ability to observe client symptoms and environment. Ability to hear and communicate effectively with clients and staff both by phone and in person. 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.