Peer Recovery Support Specialist

About the Role

This individual uses their lived experience with substance use to help others navigate recovery. They provide mentorship, emotional support, and practical guidance to empower clients, reduce relapse risks, and connect them to essential community resources. This role offers peer support to pregnant, postpartum, and parenting individuals identified as being at risk for substance misuse, prioritizing connections to mental health, substance abuse treatment, prenatal, and postnatal care. Significant travel is required, with up to 50% of time spent in the field working with community-based agencies across Cotton, Jefferson, and Stephens counties in Southwest Oklahoma. This position is grant-funded and contingent upon continued grant funding.

Responsibilities

• Conduct community outreach and education by distributing materials and educating the public on issues related to women with substance use disorders (SUD) through community events and presentations.
• Provide individual outreach and engagement to individuals at risk for substance misuse and to women with SUD who may be pregnant, postpartum, or parenting young children.
• Connect families to community resources, such as food pantries, clothing, household items, rental assistance, financial assistance for utilities, and other emergency supports.
• Attend meetings, court sessions, or other necessary appointments with women and families needing support.
• Facilitate warm handoffs to treatment services that best fit families' needs, ensuring direct connections rather than just written or verbal referrals.
• Maintain connection and follow up with pregnant individuals with SUD, offering continual support in their pathway to recovery.
• Assist with the completion of a Family Care Plan (FCP), encourage its completion, answer questions, and update as needed.
• Ensure all interactions are free from discrimination based on race, color, age, sexual orientation, gender, religion, diagnosis, behavioral health condition, or national origin, treating all individuals with respect and dignity.
• Allow women and families to operate with self-determination, helping them consider the consequences of their decisions.
• Participate in staff trainings and professional development as assigned.
• Advocate on behalf of individuals with behavioral health problems to protect their rights and reduce stigma.
• Attend monthly Network Meeting and Technical Assistance meetings with Georgia Health Policy and HRSA.
• Demonstrate knowledge and support of DRH Health's mission, vision, values, policies, and procedures.
• Maintain professional and technical knowledge through continuing education opportunities.
• Adhere to safety protocols, including the use of assistive devices for lifting and personal protective equipment.
• Comply with DRH policy requirements, including vaccinations and Standards of Behavior.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Demonstrated lived experience with a substance use disorder.
• Strong skills in Microsoft Word, Excel, and Google Docs.
• Obtain Peer Recovery Support Specialist (PRSS) certification within six months of hire.
• Current, valid driver’s license and automobile liability insurance; reliable transportation required.
• Advanced fingerprint background check required.
• Fluency in oral and written English; excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to organize, coordinate, and demonstrate judgment, professionalism, and initiative.
• Effective time management and ability to work independently in accordance with organizational policies.

Physical Demands

• Regular communication and comprehension of others' needs.
• Frequent use of hands to handle equipment, tools, and machines.
• Vision abilities including close, distance, color, peripheral, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.
• Significant sitting and driving; occasional standing, walking, stooping, kneeling, crouching, and use of fine motor skills.
• Ability to reach, bend, stoop, push, pull, and lift up to 20 pounds; assistance required for items over 20 pounds.
• Use of assistive devices (e.g., dollies, carts) to prevent injury and follow proper body mechanics.
• Ability to read information on papers and computer screens, perform repetitive motions, and concentrate under stress.
• Willingness to perform all job-related travel associated with the position.

Work Environment

• Generally, a controlled, temperate environment; may be exposed to heat/cold during outside activities.
• Mild noise level; use of office equipment such as telephones, computers, printers, and copiers.
• Varying schedule, including evenings, holidays, weekends, and extended hours as needed.
• Possible exposure to blood or other potentially infectious materials; personal protective equipment provided and required.
• Safety-sensitive position: pre-employment and ongoing drug testing required; THC use (including medical marijuana) is prohibited.