Peer Recovery Specialist - Project Bridge Year 2

The Chronicle Of Higher Education, Inc.; Aurora (CO); On-site; USD 43,812 - 50,830; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

401(a) retirement plan

Paid time off

Tuition benefits

Job summary

The Chronicle Of Higher Education, Inc. is seeking a Peer Recovery Specialist to operate within the Addiction Research and Treatment Services program. This full-time position involves coordinating assessments, providing peer support for individuals with substance use disorders, and working directly with the CU Health Emergency Department.

Candidates with lived experience in recovery are preferred, as this role requires personal insight into the challenges faced by those with substance use concerns. Benefits include medical, dental, and a variety of supportive resources.

Qualifications

• Must have lived experience with substance use disorder.
• At least one year of professional experience in addiction recovery connections.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate treatment for individuals entering the CU Health Emergency Department.
• Facilitate peer-led groups to support patient recovery.
• Engage and educate individuals with substance use disorder about treatment.

Skills

Communication skills

Interpersonal skills

Data entry skills

Motivational interviewing

Ability to manage difficult behaviors

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Associate's degree in psychology or related field

Job description

University of Colorado Anschutz

Department: Psychiatry – Addiction Research & Treatment Services (ARTS) – Adult Outpatient Program

Job Title: Peer Recovery Specialist – Project Bridge Year 2

Position #: 00664918 – Requisition #: 39488

Job Summary

The Peer Recovery Specialist operates within the Addiction Research and Treatment Services (ARTS) Adult Outpatient Program, located in Denver, Aurora, and Arvada. ARTS is part of the School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry. Clinics provide drug and alcohol assessment, psychosocial and pharmacological treatment for adults, including traditional outpatient, intensive outpatient, and specialty services for clients referred by the criminal justice system, county departments of human services, pregnant women, HIV‑positive individuals and gender‑responsive services.

The role requires an individual with lived substance use disorder experience to support drug and alcohol assessment, psychosocial, and pharmacological treatment for adults who first enter care at the CU Health Emergency Department (ED) and transition into SUD treatment at the ARTS Potomac Street Center in collaboration with STRIDE Community Health Center Potomac Street.

This position engages, educates, and offers support to adults with SUD, their family members, and caregivers to connect patients to prevention, diagnosis, treatment and follow‑up sessions. It also conducts outreach activities with patients, staff, community partners, subcontracted agencies and other entities, travels to various sites, and performs other duties as assigned.

Working hours are a standard 40‑hour week, typically 10:30 am – 9:00 pm on any day, with Saturdays/Sundays required. Locations include the ED, ARTS, STRIDE, community, and other outreach sites. Hours and locations may change per project needs.

This full‑time position is supported by grant funds. Funding may change and the position is contingent on grant support and term limited.

Key Responsibilities

• Coordinate assessment and treatment for individuals living with SUD first entering the CU Health Emergency Department.
• Communicate, facilitate, and collaborate among the CU Health Emergency Department, ARTS Potomac Street Center, and STRIDE Community Health Center Potomac Street to ensure a smooth transition to outpatient SUD and/or Medication Assisted Treatment at the ARTS Potomac Street Center.
• Leverage lived experience and recovery supports to encourage and support patients reluctant or hesitant to enter treatment.
• Be responsive to and affirmative of each patient’s individualized and differing needs.
• Follow up and outreach all patient participants, including those referred to the project but not admitted.
• Work with project staff to track project data and peer contacts.
• Facilitate peer‑led groups to support patient recovery.
• Track referrals and follow up/outreach regardless of the treatment agency to engage patients in treatment and offer recovery resources.

Work Location

Onsite – expected to work onsite and located in Aurora, CO.

Why Join Us

This position offers a unique opportunity for individuals with lived experience and recovery from SUD to use their specialized knowledge to support others living with SUD. Employees work in a supportive, professional, and nurturing environment that values evidence‑based, multi‑faceted care.

Why work for the University

Benefits include medical, dental, additional insurance (disability, life, vision), 401(a) retirement with 10% employer contribution, paid time off (vacation, sick, holiday), tuition benefit, ECO Pass, and more. Please note that benefits are described generically; further details are available from the University of Colorado.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

• High School diploma or General Education Diploma (GED).
• At least one year of professional experience connecting individuals in SUD treatment or addiction recovery to resources directly associated with SUD treatment, MAT, or addiction recovery.

Preferred Qualifications

• Associate’s degree or higher in psychology, social work, counseling, human services, or related field from an accredited institution.
• Prior experience in patient navigation and connecting patients to required services or resources.
• Certification as a Colorado Peer and Family Specialist (CPFS), Peer Recovery Specialist, or Peer Recovery Coach.
• Experience with motivational interviewing techniques.
• Experience working with clients involved with criminal justice system, probation/parole, human services and similar referral sources.
• Experience providing administrative support to clients, families, staff, and stakeholders in a substance abuse treatment setting.
• Experience managing financial paperwork including creating invoices, tracking expenditures, and gathering statistical data.
• Experience working with electronic health records.
• Current, valid registration with the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA) as Certified Addiction Technician (CAT) license or higher.
• Bilingual in English and Spanish.

Conditions of Employment

• Must possess personal, lived experience with SUD or addictions and maintain continuous recovery with existing sobriety supports.
• Must obtain one of the following certifications within six months of hire: Colorado Family and Peer Specialist (CFPS), Peer Recovery Specialist, or Peer Recovery Coach.
• Must be willing to drive as part of daily responsibilities and have a valid driver’s license and automobile insurance or obtain within 30 days of hire.
• Must be willing and able to work weeknights, Saturdays, Sundays, and be on call for emergency purposes.
• Must agree to fingerprinting, criminal background check with Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and to pre‑employment, post‑accident, incident, and/or drug and alcohol testing per policies.
• Must agree to obtain required certifications for reimbursement of services.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Excellent written communication skills, including checking for typographical, grammatical, and spelling errors.
• Ability to effectively manage difficult behaviors.
• Ability to engage patients in SUD treatment.
• Ability to comply with established rules, policies, procedures, and meet deadlines.
• Open‑minded, nonjudgmental attitude.
• Ability to develop healthy relationships and boundaries with clients.
• Ability to exercise discretion and maintain patient confidentiality.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees at all levels.
• Knowledge of basic care coordination, medical/hospital, and/or community resources.
• Knowledge of basic therapeutic confrontation and structures.
• Critical thinking skills and ability to multitask in a high‑pressure environment.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office programs (Word, Excel, Outlook, etc.).
• Excellent data entry skills.

How to Apply

For full consideration, submit the following:

• Letter of interest describing relevant job experiences and interest in the position (required).
• Curriculum vitae / resume.
• Three to five professional references, including name, address, phone number (mobile if appropriate), and email address.

Questions should be directed to: Heidi McKinnon, [e-mail].

Screening of Applications Begins

Applications are accepted until finalists are identified; preference is given to complete applications received by May 30th, 2026. Those who do not apply by this date may or may not be considered.

Anticipated Pay Range

The starting salary range is $43,812 – $50,830. The position may be eligible for overtime compensation, depending on level. The university provides generous leave, health plans, and retirement contributions.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

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 Statement

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 at [e-mail].

Background Check Statement

The University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus is dedicated to ensuring a safe and secure environment for faculty, staff, students, and visitors. Background investigations are conducted for all prospective employees.

Vaccination Statement

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, you will be required to comply with the vaccination and medical surveillance policies of the facilities or clinics where you work, visit, or volunteer. If you work in certain research areas or perform certain safety‑sensitive job duties, you must enroll in the occupational health medical surveillance program.