Peer Recovery Specialist - Supportive Housing

Mount Rogers; Wytheville (VA); Hybrid; USD 36,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

Mount Rogers seeks a Peer Recovery Specialist to support individuals with serious mental illness and/or substance use disorders within PSH/AGSH/PHA programs. The role emphasizes recovery, self-determination, and advocacy, drawing on personal recovery experiences to benefit clients and the team.

Responsibilities include peer counseling, progress documentation, and facilitating wellness classes. A high school diploma or college degree in human services is preferred, with peer certification exam

Qualifications

• High school diploma preferred, or at least 1 year paid/volunteer mental health experience.
• Experience in peer support or related recovery services is valued.
• Ability to validate experiences and provide supportive guidance.

Responsibilities

• Provide peer recovery services to individuals with SUD/SMI.
• Offer peer counseling to validate experiences and support recovery goals.
• Help individuals identify recovery goals and possible interventions.
• Monitor progress and communicate with the treatment team using coaching/mentoring.
• Document progress to maintain records per procedures.
• Co-facilitate health/wellness/WRAP classes and provide mentoring.
• Assist with setting up self-help groups and arrange transportation for benefit access.
• Support staff by offering recovery insights and contributing to a recovery-friendly environment.

Skills

Empathy

Communication

Advocacy

Team collaboration

Education

High school diploma

College degree in human services

Job description

The Peer Recovery Specialist - Supportive Housing Program, provides peer counseling, support, and mentoring to individuals with serious mental illness (SMI) and/or substance use disorder (SUD) within the Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH), Auxiliary Grant Supportive Housing (AGSH) or Public Housing Agency Voucher (PHA) program. Serves as an advocate and assist in maximizing individual choice and decision making in the recovery process. This member of the Supportive Housing team has experience as a recipient of mental health services and has experienced stable, sustained recovery. The Peer Recovery Specialist— Supportive Housing is willing to use and share his or her personal, practical experience, knowledge, and first‑hand insight to benefit the team and individual served. The Peer Recovery Specialist - Supportive Housing role models competency in recovery and ongoing coping skills. The Peer Recovery Specialist - Supportive Housing functions as a fully integrated team member to provide expertise about the recovery process, symptom management, and the persistence required by individuals to have a satisfying life. Collaborates to promote a team culture that recognizes, understands, and respects each individual’s point of view, experiences and preferences. Responsible to maximize individual choice, self-determination, and decision‑making in the planning, delivery, and evaluation of individuals, families, and team staff. Acts as a liaison with community resources; carry out rehabilitation and support functions; and assists in treatment, substance use services, education, support, and consultation to families, and crisis intervention under clinical supervision.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: (Maximum of Eight)

• Provide peer recovery services to individuals with substance use disorders (SUD) and/or serious mental illness (SMI) disorders.
• Provide peer counseling to validate the individual's experience, provide guidance and emotional support, assist individuals in becoming actively involved in the recovery process, and assist the individual in articulating personal goals for recovery.
• Assist individuals in the identification of goals and objectives by helping them determine problems, identify their own recovery goals, and discuss possible objectives/interventions based on the individual's recovery/life goals.
• Provide ongoing observation of the individual's progress and response to treatment and communicate with the treatment team; utilize recovery coaching, peer support, and/or mentoring to assist individual in meeting their recovery goals.
• Document individual progress in order to maintain a permanent record of individual activity according to established methods and procedures.
• Co‑facilitate health, wellness, and WRAP classes as needed, and provide mentoring to promote hope, self‑determination, and empowerment.
• Assist individuals in setting up and sustaining self‑help support groups; provide transportation as necessary to assist individuals in applying for benefits/assistance, attending educational classes/groups, visiting other agency programs, etc.
• Assist staff in identifying program environments that are conductive to recovery; lend insight into substance use disorders and mental illness and what makes recovery possible.

High school diploma or college degree in human services field preferred, or have at least one year of paid or volunteer work experience with mental health services.

Applicant must have passed Peer Certification Exam or be eligible to sit for the exam through the Department of Recovery Services.

Valid Driver's license and copy of DMV safe driving record.

U. S. Patents 7,080,057; 7,310,626; 7,558,767; 7,562,059; 7,472,097; 7,606,778; 8,086,558 and 8,046,251.