Peer Recovery Specialist

North Homes Children & Family Services; Bemidji (MN); On-site; USD 40,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

North Homes Children & Family Services is seeking a Peer Recovery Specialist to support individuals on their recovery journeys using lived experience, education, and community resources.

You will work collaboratively with clinical and community partners to promote self-determination, wellness, and long-term recovery, while maintaining professional boundaries and confidentiality.

Qualifications

• Minimum of one year in personal recovery from a substance use disorder is required.
• Hold a qualifying recovery peer credential from Minnesota or NAADAC/MN requirements.
• Understanding of recovery principles and peer support ethics.
• Ability to use lived recovery experience professionally to support others.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and relationship-building skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide individualized peer recovery support, encouragement, mentoring, and coaching.
• Help individuals identify strengths, values, and recovery goals; develop strategies to overcome barriers.
• Collaborate to develop and review personalized recovery plans.
• Use lived recovery experience to build trust and hope for lasting recovery.
• Assist with accessing housing, transportation, employment, education, and healthcare resources.
• Support continuity of care and transitions between services; maintain documentation per policy.
• Maintain confidentiality and adhere to HIPAA and ethical standards.
• Participate in supervision, meetings, and continuing education.

Skills

Recovery principles

Peer support

Communication skills

Team collaboration

Documentation

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Job description

Description

Join Our Team and Make a Difference in Recovery!

Are you passionate about helping others achieve lasting recovery? Do you believe in the power of lived experience, connection, and hope? We are seeking a compassionate, motivated Peer Recovery Specialist to join our Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Services team.

As a Peer Recovery Specialist, you will use your personal recovery experience, training, and knowledge of community resources to support individuals navigating their recovery journeys. You will play an important role in helping individuals build confidence, identify strengths, overcome barriers, and connect with the resources and support systems needed to achieve their personal recovery goals.

Position Summary

Under the direction of the Outpatient Substance Use Disorder Program Director and Clinical Supervisor, the Peer Recovery Specialist provides individualized, non-clinical, recovery-oriented support to individuals receiving substance use disorder services, including individuals with co-occurring mental health needs.

Using a strengths-based, trauma-informed, person-centered approach, the Peer Recovery Specialist draws upon their lived experience of recovery to provide encouragement, mentorship, advocacy, and practical assistance. This position works collaboratively with individuals, families, clinical staff, and community partners to promote self-determination, wellness, independence, and long-term recovery.

The Peer Recovery Specialist serves as an important connection between individuals, their treatment teams, and community recovery resources while maintaining appropriate professional boundaries.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Provide individualized peer recovery support, encouragement, mentoring, and recovery coaching to individuals seeking or maintaining recovery from substance use disorders.
• Assist individuals in identifying their personal strengths, values, recovery goals, and strategies for overcoming barriers to recovery.
• Collaborate with individuals to develop, implement, and review individualized recovery plans that support their goals, independence, and overall well-being.
• Use personal lived recovery experience appropriately to build trust, foster hope, and demonstrate that recovery is possible.
• Help individuals identify and access community resources, including housing, transportation, employment, education, food assistance, healthcare, and recovery support services.
• Support individuals in navigating substance use disorder treatment services, community-based supports, and other resources that promote sustained recovery.
• Encourage the development of healthy coping strategies, self-advocacy skills, positive relationships, and natural support systems.
• Provide education, encouragement, and support to individuals and, when appropriate and authorized, their families regarding recovery processes and available resources.
• Collaborate with clinical staff, care coordinators, and community partners to support continuity of care and successful transitions between services.
• Assist individuals in recognizing potential barriers, identifying solutions, and strengthening skills that support recovery and independent living.
• Maintain accurate, timely, and appropriate documentation of peer recovery services in accordance with organizational policies and applicable regulatory requirements.
• Maintain confidentiality and adhere to HIPAA, applicable substance use disorder confidentiality requirements, professional ethics, and organizational policies.
• Participate in required supervision, staff meetings, professional development, and continuing education activities.
• Maintain appropriate professional boundaries and provide services within the established scope of practice for Peer Recovery Specialists.
• Perform other related duties as assigned by the Program Director or Clinical Supervisor.

Requirements

Required Qualifications

• Minimum of one (1) year in personal recovery from a substance use disorder.
• Hold a current, qualifying recovery peer credential from the Minnesota Certification Board, Upper Midwest Indian Council on Addictive Disorders, or National Association for Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors (NAADAC), consistent with Minnesota requirements.
• Demonstrated understanding of recovery principles, peer support, advocacy, ethical boundaries, and person-centered services.
• Ability to use lived recovery experience appropriately and professionally to support individuals in their recovery journeys.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively with individuals from diverse backgrounds and with multidisciplinary teams.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality, professional boundaries, and accurate documentation.
• Willingness and ability to participate in required supervision and maintain applicable certification requirements.

Preferred Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Previous experience providing peer support, recovery coaching, advocacy, or community-based support services.
• Familiarity with Minnesota's substance use disorder treatment system and community recovery resources.
• Experience supporting individuals with co-occurring substance use and mental health needs.
• Knowledge of trauma-informed care, motivational interviewing principles, harm reduction, and recovery-oriented approaches.
• Experience working with electronic health records or other documentation systems.

What Makes This Role Meaningful

As a Peer Recovery Specialist, you will have the opportunity to make a difference by helping individuals recognize their strengths, build meaningful connections, and move toward the lives they envision for themselves.

We recognize the value of lived experience and the unique perspective that individuals in recovery bring to our team. Your personal recovery journey, combined with your professional skills and commitment to helping others, can be a powerful source of hope and encouragement.

Join a team committed to compassionate care, recovery, and helping individuals build healthier, more fulfilling lives.