Peer Recovery Specialist: REST Center- 7238

Community Health Resources; Windham (CT); On-site; USD 26,000 - 34,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401(k) / 403(b) plan contributions

Tuition reimbursement

Wellness stipend

Counseling services

Job summary

Community Health Resources (CHR) seeks a Recovery Support Specialist to assist clients in identifying recovery goals and connect them with supportive services. The REST Center-based role emphasizes crisis stabilization, case management, and coordinated care within a trauma-informed, recovery-focused framework.

Qualified candidates bring lived recovery experience, CPSRP or CCAR credentials, and a valid driver’s license.

Qualifications

• Lived experience recovering from mental health or substance use.
• 2+ years working with identified populations; CPSRP preferred.
• Certified Peer Support & Recovery Specialist (CPSRP) or Recovery Coach Certification, or equivalent; must be obtained within 6 months; valid driver’s license required.

Responsibilities

• Assists clients in identifying and advocating their own recovery goals.
• Utilizes motivational interventions to inform and educate on recovery strategies.
• Conducts program-specific assessments and screens as indicated.
• Collaborates with clients to create individualized, person-centered treatment plans.
• Provides skills teaching to assist clients as needed.
• May provide crisis intervention or de-escalation as needed.
• Provides case management and connects to supports and treatment teams.
• Participates in reducing health care disparities through SDOH screening and linkage to resources.
• Maintains documentation in compliance with agency standards.
• Transports clients as required by program.

Skills

Lived recovery experience

Peer support

Driver's license

Recovery program knowledge

Education

CPSRP certification

Recovery Coach Certification (CCAR)

Equivalent related certification

Job description

JOB TITLE: Recovery Support Specialist

EMPLOYMENT TYPE: Full-time, 40 hours/week

SCHEDULED HOURS: Monday-Friday, 8am-4:30pm

PROGRAM/LOCATION: REST Center, Willimantic

PC#: 3188

ABOUT THE PROGRAMS

REST Center

The REST Center is a 24/7 community-based crisis stabilization program that provides a safe and supportive alternative to hospitalization for individuals experiencing mental health and/or substance use-related crises. The center offers short-term assessment, stabilization, nursing support, brief therapeutic interventions, peer support, medication evaluation, and connection to ongoing community services. Our multidisciplinary team works collaboratively to provide person-centered, trauma-informed, and recovery-focused care. The goal is to help individuals stabilize, avoid unnecessary emergency department visits or hospitalizations, and successfully transition to the most appropriate level of care.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Assists clients in identifying and advocating their own recovery goals.
• Utilizes appropriate program models, including motivational interventions by informing and educating on establishing or strengthening their own recovery strategies.
• Conducts program specific assessments and screens as indicated.
• Collaborates with those served to create individualized and person-centered treatment plans as indicated by program requirements.
• Conducts skills teaching to assist clients as needed.
• May provide crisis intervention or de-escalation as needed.
• Provides case management. Works in close collaboration with the client’s natural supports and treatment teams. Connects to prosocial activities. Provides crisis intervention and de-escalation as needed.
• Participates in interventions to help reduce health care disparities, which may include screening for Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) such as housing, medical insurance, food security and transportation to identify and then help resolve barriers to healthcare.
• Complies and shares knowledge of appropriate community resources and assists in linking clients to behavioral health and addiction follow up care, natural (family, friends) supports, community resources including LGBTQ+, Veteran’s and/or other support groups in a culturally informed, strength-based manner.
• Provide follow-up engagement support including but not limited to brief recovery coaching, relapse prevention and safety planning support and inclusion of family involvement where appropriate.
• Maintains documentation in compliance with agency and program standards.
• Participates in staff meetings, supervision, training, and other meetings as assigned.
• Transports clients as required by program.
• Additional duties as required.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Education: Lived experience establishing and maintaining recovery from mental health or substance use condition(s) as required by position.
• Experience: 2+ years working with identified populations and specifically as an CPSRP (formerly RSS) preferred. Self identifies as an individual with mental health and or substance use disorder in long term recovery.
• Licensure/Certification/Registration: Certified Peer Support & Recovery Specialist (CPSRP) from Advocacy Unlimited, Recovery Coach Certification from CCAR, or an equivalent certification related to the field of Recovery Support required or must be obtained within 6 months of hire. Valid Driver’s License required.

Why Join CHR?

Be part of an exciting, supportive, and dynamic workplace where your growth and well-being are our top priorities!

• Comprehensive benefits packages include health insurance, ample paid time off (including your birthday!), employer contributions to your 403b Retirement Plan, and competitive insurance premiums with added discounts on pet, home and auto!
• Tuition reimbursement and professional development programs, including exclusive tuition discounts for CHR employees at several local colleges/universities
• Career development opportunities! FREE robust training curriculum, featuring our Clinical Training Series for interactive learning, practical skill enhancement, and professional growth! Clinical supervision and/or mentoring offered at several programs
• Wellness program: Annual wellness stipend, FREE premium subscription to the Calm app, 6 FREE confidential counseling sessions through our Employee Assistance Program
• Employee appreciation and involvement, including contests, lunch & learns (meet with our CEO!), employee appreciation events, employee-led resource groups open to all, and more!

And so much more! (Many benefits are available to all staff, regardless of the hours worked, with some subject to eligibility)

COMPENSATION

$19.2850/hour min- $25.4421/hour max

• Actual rates within this range are determined at the time of offer and are based on relevant experience, as well as adherence to our internal equity policy. (Please note, for part-time positions this range would be pro-rated based on hours worked)

CHR is an equal opportunity employer, and we encourage all to apply.