Certified Peer Recovery Support Specialist - General Sessions Court
About the Role
The Certified Peer Recovery Support Specialist is a non-civil service position located within the General Sessions Court. In this capacity, the incumbent performs paraprofessional duties within the Mental Health/Veterans Treatment Court, using lived experiences in recovery and history of criminal justice involvement to provide direct services and support to participants. A successful candidate must be willing to self-identify as a person with direct personal experience living in recovery from substance use and/or mental health conditions.
Typical Duties
- Works directly with Mental Health/Veterans Court participants to support their establishment of social support systems and recovery plans.
- Coordinates with Mental Health/Veterans Court Team to help address barriers for participants in reaching their goals and meeting program expectations.
- Advocates on behalf of Mental Health/Veterans Court participants.
- Identifies and supports linkages to community resources.
- Models personal responsibility, self-advocacy, and hopefulness.
- Assists participants in identifying personal interests, goals, strengths, and weaknesses.
- Understands various 12-Step/self-help programs.
- Develops relationships with community organizations.
- Shares personal recovery experiences and develops authentic, mutual peer-to-peer relationships.
- Accompanies participants, when requested, to access community resources.
- Complies with agency policy, participant rights, and maintains confidentiality.
- Participates regularly in supervision.
- Attends staffing and status hearings regularly.
- Makes recommendations to the Recovery Court Team regarding how to improve the Peer Support Specialist role.
Minimum Qualifications
Education and Experience:
- High School Diploma or equivalent
- Personal experience in recovery is required, this must be in mental health, but can be co-occurring, including preferred previous involvement with the criminal justice system
- A MINIMUM of two years of sustained recovery
Licenses Required:
- Valid Driver License
- Certification as a Peer Recovery Support Specialist
Candidates with accreditations earned in a foreign institute are encouraged to apply.
Preferred Experience, Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Per Metro Ordinance No. SO94-1078, all employees of the Metropolitan Government shall be residents of the State of Tennessee or become residents of the state within six (6) months of employment as a prerequisite to employment with the Metropolitan Government.
Pay & Schedule
- $20 an hour
- Part-time Position
- Shift and Schedule: Semi-Flexible, Maximum 20 hours weekly, minimum 10 hours weekly
- Monday to Friday between the hours of 8am-4pm
- Travel Percentage: 30%