COMMUNITY SERVICES ASSOCIATE B/PEER SUPPORT SPECIALIST

Region Ten Community Services Board; Charlottesville (VA); On-site; USD 26,000 - 44,000; Part time

Job summary

Region Ten Community Services Board seeks a Community Services Associate B/Peer Support Specialist, Emergency Services - C – PRN to provide peer support in crisis situations at the CITAC in Charlottesville. The role emphasizes recovery, trust, and trauma reduction through lived experience, while collaborating with the Emergency Services team.

Responsibilities include engaging consumers, coordinating with staff, and maintaining professional ethics, with CPR/First Aid training required.

Qualifications

• Must have a valid Virginia driver's license and an acceptable driving record.
• CPR/First Aid certification required.
• High school diploma/GED.
• Personal lived experience in mental health or substance abuse recovery or as a family member of someone with lived experience.
• Certified Peer Recovery Specialist preferred; certification within 12 months required.

Responsibilities

• Provide peer support services for consumers in psychiatric crisis using lived experience to build trust and promote recovery.
• Work collaboratively with CITAC staff and other providers.
• Establish supportive, trusting relationships and maintain professional ethics.
• Promote recovery, reduce trauma, and ensure safety during crisis and police custody situations.
• Demonstrate sound decision-making and problem-solving in high-stress environments.

Skills

Engagement

Professional communication

Group leadership

Team collaboration

Problem-solving

Decision making

Needs assessment

Education

High school diploma/GED

Lived experience in mental health recovery or as a family member

Certified Peer Recovery Specialist preferred

Job description

COMMUNITY SERVICES ASSOCIATE B/PEER SUPPORT SPECIALIST, EMERGENCY SERVICES - C - PRN

Req #114

CLASSIFICATION TITLE:

COMMUNITY SERVICES ASSOCIATE B/PEER SUPPORT SPECIALIST, EMERGENCY SERVICES - C – PRN

GENERAL STATEMENT OF RESPONSIBILITIES:

This is a FLSA non-exempt position. The incumbent serves as a CSAIII Peer Provider for the Emergency Services team, based primarily in the Crisis Intervention Team Assessment Center (CITAC) at 500 Old Lynchburg Road. The incumbent is expected to perform in accordance with applicable professional ethics, state quality assurance standards, as well as established Region Ten policies. The incumbent will have a history of similar experience with mental health crisis recovery, and is responsible for providing peer support services for these consumers, using his/her own life experience to establish a helping relationship with consumers in a psychiatric crisis that promotes respect, trust, warmth, understanding, hope and recovery as well as reducing the traumatic effect of being in crisis and in police custody. The incumbent will work collaboratively with other CITAC staff and other agency and community providers in support of consumers.

The incumbent reports to the Director III of Emergency Services and duties require proceeding alone under standard practices with referral of questionable situations to the supervisor. Standard practices allow for the independent accomplishment of recurring tasks and use of own initiative for prioritizing the work schedule. In carrying out position duties, he/she performs in accordance with applicable professional ethics and established Region Ten policies as well as those of the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS).

Please review the full job description for a full list of duties and tasks.

QUALIFICATIONS:

In order to ensure the safe and efficient fulfillment of any travel on behalf of the board, a valid Virginia driver's license plus an acceptable driving record as issued by the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles are required. For use of a personal vehicle to conduct Region Ten business, a certificate of valid personal automobile insurance must be provided. Must be able to perform CPR/First Aid intervention.

The incumbent must have a high school diploma/GED. In addition, they will have personal, lived experience in their own mental health or substance abuse recovery or experience as the family member or loved one of a person with lived experience. Must have a strong commitment and desire to help others move towards recovery from the impact of a psychiatric emergency. Must have the skills and competence to establish supportive trusting relationships with persons. Experience working in role of Peer Recovery Specialist and status as Certified Peer Recovery Specialist preferred. Becoming certified within 12 months required.

The incumbent must possess the following:

Knowledge of:

characteristics of severe mental illness and mental illness with chemical abuse; the concepts and practices of recovery from illness and its impact on daily life; specific tools for fostering recovery interest and achievement, including WRAP; crisis recognition, prevention techniques, and management; procedures for preventing, diffusing and managing aggression; emergency procedures; first aid; CPR; business arithmetic; and computer skills.

Skills in:

engagement of consumers in a recovery process; communicating in a professional manner with a variety of individuals, fostering a sense of trust in others, exhibiting a calm and supportive presence when in an often-hectic emergency room milieu.

Abilities to:

teach a wide variety of mental health recovery topics; lead and motivate groups; work collegially with other staff; problem-solve for self and for consumers; act positively and constructively in all interactions with service recipients and their friends and families; make sound and safe decisions as regards behavior management, health needs, emergencies; perform work assignments under little or no direct (i.e. present) supervision; analyze needs of consumers and respond appropriately.

HOURLY SALARY RANGE:

GRADE 8 (Non-Credentialed): $19.11 - $28.66 per hour
GRADE 9 (Credentialed): $21.02 - 31.53 per hour

SCHEDULE:

PRN (Non-Exempt); Must be available for evening work and meetings.

POSITION LOCATION:

Region Ten Community Services Board
500 Old Lynchburg Road
Charlottesville, VA 22903-4420