COMMUNITY SERVICES ASSOCIATE B- PEER SPECIALIST (COUNTIES) GRANT FUNDED - CHARLOTTESVILLE (FT)

About the role

This is an FLSA non-exempt position. The incumbent serves as a member of the Community Outreach Peer Team providing peer support services to individuals living in the counties of Fluvanna, Louisa, Nelson and Greene. Responsibilities include engaging with and connecting individuals to overdose prevention services, treatment services, recovery resources, and providing individual peer support and recovery support services to individuals over the age of 18 with mental health and/or co-occurring disorders in the Region Ten catchment area. The incumbent will distribute and train individuals in the counties on how to use and access overdose prevention supplies, and form relationships with local businesses/community partners to connect them to overdose prevention supplies and recovery resources. This position reports to the Program Manager of Recovery Support Services and collaborates with other treatment providers. Duties are performed according to the policies of Region Ten Community Services Board and the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS).

Responsibilities

• Provide peer support and recovery support services to individuals over 18 with mental health and/or co-occurring disorders
• Engage individuals and connect them to overdose prevention services, treatment services, and recovery resources
• Distribute and train individuals on the use of overdose prevention supplies
• Build relationships with local businesses and community partners to expand access to overdose prevention supplies and recovery resources
• Collaborate with treatment providers and adhere to Region Ten CSB and DBHDS policies

Qualifications

Education

• A High School diploma or equivalent is required
• Completion of the 72-hr DBHDS Certified Peer Support Training is preferred prior to employment

Experience

• 1–3 years of experience working with people with substance use and mental health disorders is preferred
• Lived experience with recovery from substance use disorders or mental health disorders is required

Certification/License

• DBHDS 72-hr Certified Peer Support Training is preferred prior to employment
• Certification as a Peer Recovery Specialist is required within the first year of employment

Knowledge

• Principles of Peer Support and Recovery
• Harm Reduction principles
• Services and systems available in the community including primary health care, support services, eligibility criteria, intake processes, and community resources
• Nature of serious mental illness and/or substance use depending on the population served
• Consumers’ rights
• Peer Support Code of Ethics
• Local community resources and service delivery systems, including support services such as housing, financial, social welfare, dental, educational, transportation, communications, recreation, vocational, and legal/advocacy

Skills

• General knowledge of interviewing and supportive recovery techniques
• Motivational Interviewing
• Group facilitation
• Excellent communication with individuals and community partners
• Ability to present in front of others and lead training on harm reduction techniques
• Flexibility and ability to work independently
• Computer proficiency
• Oral and written skills to manage productivity and documentation standards in an electronic health record
• Ability to build and establish professional working relationships with community partners and individuals served

Abilities

• A valid Virginia Driver’s License plus an acceptable driving record as issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles are required
• For business use of a personal car, a certificate of valid personal automobile insurance must be provided

Pay

• GRADE 8: $19.11–$28.66 per hour
• GRADE 9: $21.02–$31.53 per hour

Schedule

• Full Time, Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.