Peer Recovery Specialist II

The person in this position uses their personal recovery experience, peer support training, and passion for helping others to make a meaningful impact on individuals receiving Medications for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD) while incarcerated, as well as those receiving Medical Branch and Behavioral Health services.

In this role, you will build trust and connection through authentic peer support, provide recovery-focused education and group support, and encourage individuals to actively engage in treatment and work towards their recovery goals. Help individuals identify needs, develop future-focused goals, access harm reduction and basic needs resources, and establish community connections and reentry supports to promote continued recovery after release. Advocate for individual concerns, collect program data, and collaborate with Medical Branch staff, peer professionals, work groups, and other Sheriff’s Office teams.

This position is ideal for someone who is ready to turn lived experience into hope and positive change. Must bring personal recovery experience, formal peer support training, and the ability to use recovery journey appropriately and professionally to build trust, inspire hope, and model the possibility of long-term recovery.

Note: As a condition of employment, the Peer Recovery Specialist II is expected to serve as a credible role model for individuals in recovery. The Peer Recovery Specialist II acknowledges that sustained personal recovery is an essential qualification of this position. Throughout employment, the employee agrees to maintain sobriety from alcohol, illegal drugs, and the non-medical use of controlled substances, comply with all agency drug-free workplace policies, and remain eligible for any required peer recovery certification.

The Peer Recovery Specialist II acknowledges they are subject to random substance screening and failure to maintain these requirements may result in disciplinary action, up to and including termination of employment.

(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.)

• Leads, facilitates, or co-facilitates peer support groups or other education or support groups with a wellness or recovery focus, including preparing materials and developing curriculum;
• Assists individuals served in developing a self-directed recovery plan, (including Medicaid billable Recovery, Resiliency, and Wellness (RRW) plans) and enacting their plans;
• May collaborate with other service providers including Case Managers, Therapists, Nurses, Psychiatrists, and other partners;
• Service locations are varied and may include outpatient program sites, crisis programs, residential treatment programs, in the community, telehealth, and justice system settings;
• Provides navigation services for individuals, families, and other concerned persons, identifying and linking them to community resources that support the individual’s goals and interests, including navigating crisis systems of care;
• Collaborates as needed with other health care providers in providing coordinated services;
• Conducts outreach and engagement activities to connect with individuals that may benefit from behavioral health services;
• Provides follow-up support after mental health and/or substance use emergencies, assisting individuals to learn skills, access resources, and receive emotional support to avoid future crises.

• Knowledge of the principles, theories, and methods of peer recovery services;
• Knowledge of local resources, services, and support in the community relevant to the population;
• Knowledge of wellness and recovery terminology, theories, and best practices;
• Knowledge of basic clinical psychological, physiological and psychiatric terminology, theories, and practices;
• Ability to effectively relate one’s own lived experiences of wellness and recovery;
• Ability to provide one-on-one peer recovery services;
• Ability to provide group peer recovery services;
• Ability to establish rapport and maintain effective relationships with individuals served;
• Ability to facilitate development of wellness, recovery, and resiliency plans;
• Ability to assist individuals to access supports and services needed for recovery;
• Ability to collaborate with other behavioral health professionals;
• Ability to manage a caseload;
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing, including…