Peer Recovery Specialist

City of Chesapeake Virginia

Chesapeake (VA)

On-site

USD 46,000 - 68,000

Full time

5 days ago

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Job summary

City of Chesapeake is seeking a Peer Recovery Specialist to support Harbor Hope Center’s recovery-focused program across Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Norfolk, Portsmouth and Suffolk Public Schools. The role utilizes lived recovery experience to model wellness and resilience for youth and families.

Located at Harbor Hope Center in Chesapeake, the PRS works with students, families, and community partners to develop recovery goals and plans, documenting progress and coordinating with treatment teams.

Qualifications

Requires an Associate’s degree in Psychology, Sociology, or a related field.
Minimum of one year of related, full-time equivalent experience.
Must possess a current Certified Peer Recovery Specialist (CPRS) certification in Virginia and complete the CPRS training prior to hire.

Responsibilities

Engage with students in recovery-oriented supports.
Provide peer services per CPRS ethics and responsibilities.
Maintain documentation and records per regulations.

Education

Associate degree in Psychology or Sociology

Job description

Position Information

Working Title of Vacant Position

Job Type

Full Time

Posting Type

Public

Number of Vacancies

Department

CHES INT BEHAV HEALTHC

Division

CIBH MENTAL HLTH SVC

Requisition Number

2026369

Number of hours worked per week

Work Schedule

Monday - Friday 8:00a.m-4: 30pm with a 30 min lunch. Employees may be expected to work hours in excess of their normally scheduled hours in response to short-term department needs and/or City-wide emergencies.

Work Site Location

Chesapeake, VA

Position Driving Requirement

R - Routine

Pay Grade

GE07

Pay Basis

Semi-Monthly

Advertised Salary

Starting Range: $45,852- $68,205
Actual starting salary depends on experience and qualifications.

Job Description

This position is located at 369 Battlefield Blvd, Chesapeake, VA.

Are you looking for an exciting opportunity to be a part of a new Recovery School program serving Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Norfolk, Portsmouth and Suffolk Public School students? Harbor Hope Center provides a comprehensive blend of supportive educational and recovery-oriented services in a structured environment to youth who have received treatment for and are in recovery from substance use disorders as they progress towards earning a high school diploma. The Peer Recovery Specialist at the Harbor Hope Center uses their lived experience with mental illness and substance use and recovery to model wellness, recovery and resilience while providing quality, evidenced-based, recovery-oriented supports and related services to students and families.

This position is primarily stationed at the Harbor Hope Center and provides direct services to students in the program. This position supports youth in their mental health and substance use recovery by modeling personal responsibility, self-advocacy, and wellness via telling their recovery story; assisting them in identifying personal recovery goals; and developing and utilizing recovery plans with the skills, strengths, supports and resources to aid them in achieving those goals. Peer Recovery Specialists leverage their unique perspectives and experiences to build stronger, more supportive relationships.

Please note: The position is funded for five years by a grant, and available for renewal in year five.

Typical Tasks

Focuses on engagement in or barriers to resiliency and recovery, return to use prevention, career options, health and wellness and prosocial behaviors, and possible family involvement.
Assists individuals in identifying personal recovery goals through the use of individual and group sessions.
Provides recovery support with the community treatment team
Provides peer services consistent with the Certified Peer Recovery Specialist Code of Ethics and responsibilities
Provides community outreach and education on the role of a Youth Support Partner and recovery principles.
Provides recovery support during service transitions as youth and young adults move through a treatment continuum or process. The YSP will work to assure seamless transitions that include recovery supports and provide information about additional community-based services.
Promotes a social network of support by partnering with agencies, providers, family members and friends if identified by the individual in a wellness or recovery plan.
Explores alternatives to reduce substance use or other addictive behaviors as identified by the individual in a wellness or recovery plan.
Utilizes domains of wellness to support the individual in self-identified goals specific to recovery which may include health and wellness.
Assists individuals in setting up and sustaining self-help (mutual support) groups, as well as means of locating and joining existing groups
Completion of professional documentation in a thorough and timely manner. Provides appropriate referrals and correspondence with outside contacts
Maintains records for area of responsibility in accordance with departmental, state and federal regulations, laws, policies and procedures; processes daily paperwork including personnel information, service recipients’ progress notes, daily time sheets and service logs
Reads, comprehends and adheres to the Corporate Compliance and HIPAA policies and procedures. Reports any violations, inconsistencies or discrepancies with regard to the Corporate Compliance policies and procedures or the HIPAA policies and procedures to the supervisor or appropriate authority.
Performs other related duties as assigned.

The City of Chesapeake offers an exceptional range of benefits. Please browse our Benefits Brochure, for a full list of benefits and employee perks.

Required Qualifications

Vocational/Educational Requirement: Requires any combination of education and experience equivalent to an associate’s degree in Psychology, Sociology, or related field.

Experience: In addition to satisfying the vocational/education standards, this job class requires a minimum of one year of related, full-time equivalent experience.

Special Certifications and Licences: Must possess a current Certified Peer Recovery Specialist (CPRS) certification in the Commonwealth of Virginia and have completed the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS) Peer Recovery Specialist Training prior to hire. Must maintain a valid driver’s license and a driving record in compliance with City driving standards .

Special Requirement(s): Employees may be expected to work hours in excess of their normally scheduled hours in response to short-term department needs and/or City-wide emergencies. Emergency operations support work and work locations may be outside of normal job duties.

Preferred Qualifications

The Peer Recovery Specialist (PRS) is to be certified and have completed the Youth Support Partner (YSP) training or be willing to complete the employer-sponsored YSP training after hire (currently anticipated in Spring 2027).

The Youth Support Partner (YSP) should have lived substance use experience beginning in childhood/adolescence and, within the past ten years, have experience with a youth-serving system such as behavioral health services, foster care, juvenile justice, or substance use challenges, empowering them to assist others facing similar challenges.

Job Open Date

10/16/2026

Job Close Date

10/30/2026

Open Continuous

ADA Checklist

Overall Physical Strength Demands

Overall Physical Strength Demands S=Sedentary - Exerting up to 10 lbs. occasionally or small weights frequently; sitting most of the time.

Physical Demands

C = Continuously- 2/3 or more of the time.F = Frequently- From 1/3 to 2/3 of the time.O = Occasionally- Up to 1/3 of the time.R = Rarely- Less than 1 hour per week.N = Never- Never occurs.

Standing

Standing Occasionally- Up to 1/3 of the time.

Sitting Frequently- From 1/3 to 2/3 of the time.

Walking

Walking Occasionally- Up to 1/3 of the time.

Lifting

Lifting Rarely- Less than 1 hour per week.

Lifting Amount

Lifting Amount Exerting up to 10 lbs

Carrying

Carrying Rarely- Less than 1 hour per week.

Carrying Weight

Carrying Weight Exerting up to 10 lbs

Pushing/Pulling

Pushing/Pulling Rarely- Less than 1 hour per week.

Pushing/Pulling Weight

Pushing/Pulling Weight Exerting up to 10 lbs

Reaching

Reaching Rarely- Less than 1 hour per week.

Handling

Handling Occasionally- Up to 1/3 of the time.

Fine Dexterity

Fine Dexterity Occasionally- Up to 1/3 of the time.

Kneeling

Kneeling Occasionally- Up to 1/3 of the time.

Crouching

Bending Rarely- Less than 1 hour per week.

Twisting

Twisting Rarely- Less than 1 hour per week.

Climbing

Balancing Rarely- Less than 1 hour per week.

Vision

Vision Continuously- 2/3 or more of the time.

Hearing

Hearing Continuously- 2/3 or more of the time.

Talking

Talking Frequently- From 1/3 to 2/3 of the time.

Foot Controls

Foot Controls Occasionally- Up to 1/3 of the time.

Machines, Tools, Equipment and Work Aids Used

Office equipment, lap top, cellphone, copier, fax, city vehicle

Protective Equipment Required

None required

Health and Safety

D = DailyW = Several Times Per WeekM = Several Times Per MonthS = SeasonallyN = Never

Mechanical Hazards

Mechanical Hazards N = Never

Chemical Hazards

Chemical Hazards N = Never

Electrical Hazards

Electrical Hazards N = Never

Fire Hazards N = Never

Explosives

Explosives N = Never

Communicable Diseases

Communicable Diseases S = Seasonally

Physical Danger or Abuse

Physical Danger or Abuse N = Never

Other

If Other, Description

D = DailyW = Several Times Per WeekM = Several Times Per MonthS = SeasonallyN = Never

Dirt and Dust

Dirt and Dust N = Never

Extreme Temperatures

Extreme Temperatures N = Never

Noise and Vibration

Noise and Vibration N = Never

Fumes and Odors

Fumes and Odors N = Never

Wetness/Humidity

Wetness/Humidity N = Never

Darkness or Poor Lighting

Darkness or Poor Lighting N = Never

Primary Work Location

Non-Physical Demands

C = Continuously- 2/3 or more of the time.F = Frequently- From 1/3 to 2/3 of the time.O = Occasionally- Up to 1/3 of the time.R = Rarely- Less than 1 hour per week.N = Never- Never occurs.

Time Pressures

Time Pressures Rarely- Less than 1 hour per week.

Emergency Situations

Emergency Situations Rarely- Less than 1 hour per week.

Frequent Change of Tasks

Frequent Change of Tasks Occasionally- Up to 1/3 of the time.

Irregular Work Schedule/Overtime

Irregular Work Schedule/Overtime Rarely- Less than 1 hour per week.

Performing Multiple Tasks Simultaneously

Performing Multiple Tasks Simultaneously Occasionally- Up to 1/3 of the time.

Working Closely with Others as Part of a Team

Working Closely with Others as Part of a Team Continuously- 2/3 or more of the time.

Tedious or Exacting Work

Tedious or Exacting Work Occasional- Up to 1/3 of the time.

Noisy/Distracting Environment

Noisy/Distracting Environment Occasionally- Up to 1/3 of the time.

Other

If Other, Description

Can anyone assist the employee in performing the primary tasks assigned to this position? If yes, identify the eligible task(s)

Professional References

Please provide contact information for professional references.

Minimum Requests 0

Maximum Requests 4

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*)

* Have you successfully completed the VA Department of Behavioral Health Developmental Services (DBHDS) 72 hour Peer Recovery Specialist Training?
- Yes
- No
* Do you possess a valid driver's license and a driving record that is in compliance with the City's Driving Standards? Please review position requirements for details.
- Yes
- No