Peer Recovery Specialist, Forensic Services

Blue Ridge Behavioral Healthcare; Roanoke, Northern (VA, KY); Hybrid; USD 39,000 - 41,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

21 days paid time off

Job summary

Blue Ridge Behavioral Healthcare is seeking a Peer Recovery Specialist for forensic services in Roanoke, VA. The role supports adults with substance use disorders, leveraging lived experience to aid recovery and transition into treatment.

The position emphasizes crisis intervention, collaboration with jail sites and community resources, and documentation in the EMR system. Certification as a Peer Recovery Specialist is preferred, with state registration within one year.

Qualifications

• Must have personally experienced a substance use disorder, completed a minimum of one year of sustained recovery, and be willing to share recovery experiences with clients.
• Ability to build trusting relationships with individuals facing mental illness and substance use disorders.
• Provide face-to-face recovery support individually or in groups.
• Serve as a warm-handoff between treatment programs, jails, and community resources and provide crisis intervention under supervision.

Responsibilities

• Provide face-to-face services individually or in groups to introduce recovery concepts and offer encouragement and peer counseling.
• Act as a warm-handoff liaison between treatment programs, jail sites, and community resources.
• Enter case notes, progress assessments, and reports into the EMR system in a timely manner.
• Navigate internal and external databases to access client information and track milestones.
• Travel to local jails and BRBH program sites to maintain a strong service presence.
• Maintain cultural sensitivity and adapt peer services to fit diverse client needs.

Skills

Lived Experience

Interpersonal Skills

Direct Service

Continuity of Care

Documentation

EMR Knowledge

Field Mobility

Cultural Competence

Education

High school diploma or GED

Certified Peer Recovery Specialist (preferred)

Tools

EMR System

Internal Databases

Job description

Peer Recovery Specialist, Forensic Services

Company Summary

At Blue Ridge Behavioral Healthcare, Hope is Spoken Here. Our mission is to provide quality, community-based services that prevent and address mental health disorders, developmental disabilities, and substance use disorders.

We put people first-ensuring every individual is treated with dignity and respect while providing flexible, affordable, and timely services.

Join us in making a meaningful difference in the lives of those we serve as a Peer Recovery Specialist.

Position Summary/Responsibilities

As a Peer Recovery Specialist, funded by the Opioid Abatement Authority (OAA), you will serve as a vital team member providing expertise in the recovery process, symptom management, and persistence. This role embeds peer recovery specialists into various healthcare and community settings to help adults with substance use disorders (with or without a co-occurring mental illness) successfully transition into and remain in treatment.

This specific position works across an interdisciplinary landscape including Blue Ridge Behavioral Healthcare (BRBH) outpatient programs, regional adult detention centers (Roanoke City, Roanoke County), Therapeutic dockets, and Recovery Court.

Hiring Range

The anticipated base salary for this position is $38,563.20 to $40,705.60. Actual compensation offered within this range will be determined based on the candidate's experience, education, qualifications (knowledge, skills, and abilities), geographic location, complexity of role, and other relevant business considerations. We kindly ask that candidates do not discuss compensation until after an offer of employment is extended.

Requirements

• Knowledge & Skills:
  • Lived Experience: Must have personally experienced a substance use disorder, been a recipient of treatment services, achieved a minimum of one (1) year of sustained recovery from alcohol and other drugs, and possess a personal history of working a 12-step recovery program. Must be willing to authentically share your recovery journey with clients.
  • Interpersonal & Clinical Understanding: Demonstrated ability to build trusting, supportive relationships with individuals facing severe/persistent mental illness and substance disorders. Knowledge of trauma-informed care and local community resource mapping.
  • Direct Service & Group Facilitation: Provide face-to-face services individually or in groups to introduce recovery concepts, offer encouragement, share personal experiences, and provide peer counseling.
  • Continuity of Care: Act as a warm-handoff liaison between treatment programs, regional jail sites, and community resources. Provide crisis intervention support under the clinical supervision of staff.
  • Documentation: Utilize the Electronic Medical Record (EMR) system to timely and accurately enter case notes, progress assessments, and necessary clinical reports.
  • Software & Databases: Navigate various internal and external databases to safely access client information, track milestones, and compile program metrics.
  • Field-Based Mobility: Routinely travel to local jails, community resource hubs, and alternative BRBH program sites to maintain a strong face-to-face service presence.
  • Cultural Competence: Ability to recognize and adjust peer services to respect cultural, ethnic, and individual client preferences.
• Education: High school diploma or GED required.
• Licenses/Certifications: Completion of certification of Certified Peer Recovery Specialist preferred. Required to obtain this certification and register with the Board of Counseling within one year of beginning employment.
• Background Check: Fingerprints, State and FBI criminal record reports, drug test, and central registry report will be required upon selection.
• Safe Driving Record: This position requires transporting clients or driving agency vehicles. Candidates must have a good driving record, which is defined as no more than two moving violations in the last three years and no criminal moving violations in the last five years.

Special Work Conditions

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee regularly is required to stand, walk, sit, use of hand to finger, handle or feel objects, tools, controls and reach with arms and hands. The employee frequently lifts and or moves up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus. Will be required to drive for meetings and/or visits to residential facilities. May transport clients for up to 10% of workweek.

Why work at BRBH?

• Team atmosphere: Our small team works hard to change lives.
• Work/Life Balance: We have a great Paid Time Off policy - 21 days annually, which starts accruing on your first day, plus 10 paid holidays.
• Stable Employer: BRBH provides multiple programs and services throughout the Roanoke Valley with over 350 employees working to provide quality care to our clients. We are proud to have served our community for over 50 years. BRBH maintains a drug‑free workplace and is an equal opportunity employer. This position is located in Roanoke, VA.

EOE Statement

Blue Ridge Behavioral Healthcare provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation general identify or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.

Categories: Human Services/ Social Work/ Sociology/ Psychology/ Non‑Profit/ Healthcare/ Social Services/ Counseling/ MSW/ BSW