Peer Recovery Specialist (I – II) – Resident Services

University of Colorado; Aurora; On-site; CAD 57,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading medical institution is hiring a Peer Recovery Specialist to support individuals in recovery residences. This role involves engaging clients in activities and providing essential resources as they navigate towards a sober lifestyle. Ideal candidates will have strong interpersonal and communication skills, and relevant experience in substance use support services. The position offers a full-time schedule with a competitive benefits package.

Benefits

Medical plan options

Dental plan options

Paid time off

Tuition benefits

ECO Pass for public transport

Qualifications

• Experience providing support to individuals with substance use disorders.
• Ability to comply with established rules and meet deadlines.
• Lived experience with substance use disorder.

Responsibilities

• Provide support to individuals living in Recovery Residence.
• Assist residents with attending community appointments.
• Coordinate recovery support services.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Communication skills

Motivational interviewing

Education

High school diploma or GED

One year experience or equivalent education

Tools

Electronic health records

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Outlook

Job description

Overview

University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus
School of Medicine | Department of Psychiatry | Addiction Research & Treatment Services (ARTS) | Recovery Residences

Job Title: Peer Recovery Specialist (I – II) – Resident Services

Position: 00677702 – Requisition: 37576

Job Summary

The Peer Recovery Specialist is instrumental in providing peer support for adult females and/or adult males residing in the Recovery Residences program. This is a full-time University Staff (non-classified) position that provides activities to engage, educate, and offer support to clients as they navigate steps to embrace a sober lifestyle. This position assists clients with attending appointments in the community once admitted. This position also provides positive support and resources to clients who are transitioning to aftercare programming. This position is responsible for conducting outreach activities, assisting with following up on intake inquiries, keeping clients engaged while awaiting a treatment bed, providing support services and coordination to recovery support services, and traveling to various referral sites such as hospitals, DHS offices, and other community locations to meet clients, and perform other duties as assigned or required. Standard working days are Tuesday through Saturday, and this position may be required to work extended hours for clinic coverage, helping clients enter treatment, and/or appointments.

Addiction Research and Treatment Services (ARTS) is the clinical program of the Department of Psychiatry, Division of Substance Dependence at the University of Colorado, School of Medicine. ARTS has provided residential and outpatient empirically supported substance abuse treatment services in Colorado for over 45 years, with an emphasis on psychosocial and pharmacological treatments for adolescents, women, men, families, and those involved in the criminal justice system. It is the mission of ARTS to improve the quality of life and productivity of individuals and families affected by substance use and co-occurring mental health disorders through the application of scientifically supported prevention, education, and treatment services.

The Recovery Residences program provides a safe place to live for up to 20 women (some with children), and 20 men (in a separate house) while they learn the skills needed to be successful and remain sober in the community. Recovery Residences is a grant and Medicaid funded program and provides a safe place to live for adults with their children who suffer from severe substance use and co-occurring mental health disorders. The program provides drug and alcohol assessment, psychosocial and educational services, and links to medication management if needed.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide support to individuals living in Recovery Residence(s) by engaging them in activities and education.

• Offer support to residents struggling to enroll in treatment and follow through with intake appointments.

• Assist resident with attending appointments in the community once admitted.

• Assist residents with making community linkages as they transition into the community.

• Assist with coordination to recovery support services, including traveling to various referral sites such as hospitals, DHS office, and various community locations to meet clients.

• Leverage their own lived experience with, and recovery with support from, SUD to encourage and support individuals who may be reluctant or hesitant to embrace a sober lifestyle.

• Be responsive to, and affirmative of, the individualized and differing needs of each patient under their care.

Work Location

Onsite – this role is expected to work onsite and is located at the Ft. Logan Grounds, Denver, CO.

Why Join Us

Addiction Research and Treatment Services (ARTS) is the clinical program of the Division of Substance Dependence, Department of Psychiatry at the University of Colorado, School of Medicine. ARTS has provided residential and outpatient empirically supported substance abuse treatment services in Colorado for over 45 years, with an emphasis on psychosocial and pharmacological treatments for adolescents, women, men, families, and those involved in the criminal justice system. It is the mission of ARTS to improve the quality of life and productivity of individuals and families affected by substance use and co-occurring mental health disorders through the application of scientifically supported prevention, education, and treatment services.

Why work for the University?

We have AMAZING benefits and offer exceptional amounts of holiday, vacation, and sick leave. The University of Colorado offers an excellent benefits package including:

• Medical: Multiple plan options

• Dental: Multiple plan options

• Additional Insurance: Disability, Life, Vision

• Retirement 401(a) Plan: Employer contributes 10% of your gross pay

• Paid Time Off: Accruals over the year

• Vacation Days: 22/year (maximum accrual 352 hours)

• Sick Days: 15/year (unlimited maximum accrual)

• Holiday Days: 10/year

• Tuition Benefit: Employees have access to this benefit on all CU campuses

• ECO Pass: Reduced rate RTD Bus and light rail service

There are many additional perks and programs with the CU Advantage.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

Level I

• High school diploma or General Education Diploma (GED).

Level II

• High school diploma or General Education Diploma (GED).

• One (1) year of experience working closely with patients and connecting them to resources, or an equivalent combination of education and work experience.

• The required work experience may be substituted with successfully completed college or university courses that are appropriate to this position’s work assignment on a year-for-year basis.

Applicants must meet minimum qualifications at the time of hire.

Preferred Qualifications

• Certification as a Peer Specialist (for example, Colorado Peer and Family Specialist/CPFS).

• Current, valid registration with the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA) as Certified Addiction Technician (CAT) license or higher.

• Experience with motivational interviewing techniques.

• Prior experience in Patient Navigation and connecting patients to required services or resources.

• Experience providing support to individuals with substance use disorders.

• Experience working with electronic health records.

• Experience working with clients who are involved with the criminal justice system, probation/parole, human services, and/or other similar referral sources.

• Experience providing administrative support to clients, families, staff, and other stakeholders in a substance abuse treatment setting.

Conditions of Employment

• Applicants MUST have lived experience with SUD or addictions, and recovery with existing sobriety supports.

• Minimum two (2) years of sobriety with existing sober support from SUD or addictions recovery.

• The employee must successfully complete the CCAR Recovery Coach Academy training within 6-12 months of the hire date (training costs will be borne by employer).

• Employee must obtain certification as a Peer Specialist (for example, Colorado Peer and Family Specialist/CPFS) within one (1) year of hire date.

• Must agree to fingerprinting and criminal background check prior to being hired. Required background checks include a review with the Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI), the Central Registry of Child Protection (Trails), and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

• Subject to pre-employment, post-accident, incident, and/or reasonable suspicion drug and alcohol testing per Addiction Research and Treatment Services Department Policies.

• Must possess and maintain a valid Colorado Driver's License.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Excellent interpersonal skills.

• Excellent written and oral communication skills.

• Ability to engage successfully with substance use disordered clients in treatment.

• Ability to comply with established rules, policies and procedures and meet deadlines.

• Ability to develop healthy relationships and boundaries with clients.

• Ability to exercise discretion and maintain patient confidentiality.

• Ability to use an electronic health care record.

• Proficiency utilizing Microsoft Excel to create, revise, update and maintain spreadsheets.

• Proficiency utilizing Microsoft Outlook to create, send and receive e-mail communication.

• Demonstrated critical thinking skills.

How to Apply

For full consideration, please submit the following document(s):

1. A letter of interest describing relevant job experiences as they relate to listed job qualifications and interest in the position.

2. Curriculum vitae / Resume

3. Three to five professional references, including name, address, phone number (mobile number if appropriate), and email address.

Questions should be directed to: Irene Arguelles, [e-mail]

Screening of Applications

Applications will be accepted until finalists are identified, but preference will be given to complete applications received by September 30, 2025. Those who do not apply by this date may or may not be considered.

Salary

The starting salary range (or hiring range) for this position has been established as:

• Level I: $41,736 – $48,413

• Level II: $43,812 – $50,830

The above salary range (or hiring range) represents the University’s good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting. This position may be eligible for overtime compensation, depending on the level.

Your total compensation goes beyond the number on your paycheck. The University of Colorado provides generous leave, health plans and retirement contributions that add to your bottom line.

There are many additional perks and programs with the CU Advantage.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of Colorado (CU) is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment. We are committed to creating a workplace where all individuals are treated with respect and dignity, and we encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.

ADA and Background Check

The University will provide reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities throughout the employment application process. To request an accommodation pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, please contact the Human Resources ADA Coordinator. Background checks are conducted for all prospective employees.

Vaccination

CU Anschutz strongly encourages vaccination against the COVID-19 virus and other vaccine preventable diseases. If you work, visit, or volunteer in healthcare facilities or clinics operated by our affiliated hospital or clinical partners or by CU Anschutz, you will be required to comply with the vaccination and medical surveillance policies of the facilities or clinics where you work, visit, or volunteer, respectively. In addition, if you work in certain research areas or perform certain safety sensitive job duties, you must enroll in the occupational health medical surveillance program.