Peer Recovery Specialist - Gambling Harms (GH)

About the role

The Peer Recovery Specialist Gambling Harms (GH) plays a vital role in supporting individuals impacted by gambling-related harms through peer-based recovery support, education, advocacy, and community outreach. This position is designed for individuals with lived experience related to gambling harms who are passionate about supporting others on their recovery journey while promoting prevention, harm reduction, and recovery awareness within the community.

Responsibilities

• Engage with individuals who are recovery curious or in various stages of gambling harm recovery
• Facilitate one-on-one peer recovery support sessions
• Conduct educational groups focused on the prevention and mitigation of gambling-related harms
• Support the development and maintenance of mutual aid and peer support groups within the RCOC and community
• Provide support to individuals experiencing pre-crisis or crisis situations
• Conduct community outreach, public awareness activities, and educational presentations related to gambling harms and recovery resources
• Connect individuals and affected family members with prevention, treatment, harm reduction, financial counseling, and recovery support services
• Administer or offer OASAS-approved gambling screening tools within the RCOC and community settings
• Collaborate with referral sources and community partners including OASAS providers, healthcare organizations, and recovery support services
• Share lived experience, recovery strategies, mentoring, and skill-building support to encourage hope and self-empowerment
• Educate participants on recovery principles, self-care, balanced living, and co-occurring mental health and substance use concerns
• Support engagement in evidence-based prevention, treatment, harm reduction, and recovery services
• Ensure gambling recovery support resources, educational materials, and recovery activities remain current and accessible
• Aid in the development of outreach and promotional materials related to gambling recovery support services
• Participate in agency meetings, community collaborations, trainings, workshops, and recovery-related events
• Complete required documentation and monthly reporting in accordance with OASAS requirements

Requirements

• Personal lived experience with gambling harm and a commitment to supporting others in recovery
• High School Diploma or GED
• Certification or training as a Certified Recovery Peer Advocate (CRPA), CRPA-Provisional (CRPA-P), or Certified Addiction Recovery Coach (CARC), or willingness to obtain certification within required timeframes
• Strong communication, public speaking, motivational, and interpersonal skills
• Ability to build trusting relationships with individuals, referral sources, clinicians, and community organizations
• Understanding of recovery-oriented systems of care, harm reduction principles, and multiple pathways to recovery
• Ability to maintain professionalism, confidentiality, and personal wellness while supporting others
• Sensitivity to diverse cultural, socioeconomic, and family backgrounds
• Flexibility to work occasional evenings or adjusted schedules based on program needs

Qualifications

• Completion of the OASAS 30-hour Gambling Harm Peer Support Training
• Experience facilitating peer support groups or recovery-focused educational workshops
• Knowledge of community-based behavioral health and recovery resources
• Experience conducting outreach, advocacy, or public awareness initiatives
• Training in trauma-informed care and crisis support strategies
• Familiarity with co-occurring mental health and substance use challenges related to gambling harms

Skills

• Communication and public speaking skills
• Interpersonal and motivational skills
• Relationship building and trustworthiness
• Understanding of recovery-oriented systems of care and harm reduction principles
• Confidentiality and professionalism
• Sensitivity to diverse backgrounds
• Flexibility and adaptability

Benefits

• Paid holidays from the first day of employment
• Paid lunch break
• Paid time off
• 401(k) with company match
• Health, Dental, and Vision insurance
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
• Company provided Life, AD&D, and Short- and Long-Term disability insurance
• Voluntary insurances including Critical Illness and Hospital Indemnity