Peer Recovery Specialist - Warm Line

Hampton-Newport News Community Services Board; Hampton (VA); On-site; USD 29,000 - 39,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical coverage

Dental coverage

Vision coverage

Life Insurance

FSA

Paid Time Off

11 Paid Holidays

Virginia Retirement System

Job summary

The Hampton-Newport News Community Services Board seeks a Peer Recovery Specialist I to offer person-centered support for individuals facing mental health or substance use challenges. You will use lived experience, encouragement, advocacy, and recovery-oriented practices to foster stability and community connections.

Primary duties include building supportive relationships, assisting with daily living, monitoring changes, connecting clients to services, and coaching practical skills.

Qualifications

• Must have personally experienced a mental health and/or substance use condition.
• Minimum 12 months of successful recovery and progress in managing condition.
• Must complete DBHDS 72 hour Peer Recovery Specialist Training within 6 months.

Responsibilities

• Build recovery-focused relationships to encourage growth and progress.
• Provide practical assistance with social, financial, physical, and personal needs.
• Monitor changes in mental health or functioning and communicate them.
• Help individuals access community programs, resources, and supports.
• Encourage daily living skills, self-care, and independent living.
• Advocate for needs while promoting choice and self-determination.

Skills

Recovery experience

12 months recovery

DBHDS 72 hour training

Job description

Peer Recovery Specialist I - Warm Line

Annual Salary: $33,588

Work Schedule: Rotating weekly shifts - mornings one week and evenings the next, with scheduled hours between 8:00 AM and 11:00 PM.

ROLE OVERVIEW

The Peer Recovery Specialist I offers person-centered support to individuals navigating mental health and/or substance use challenges. This role uses lived experience, encouragement, advocacy, and recovery-oriented practices to help individuals build stability, increase independence, and strengthen their connection to the community.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Build supportive, recovery-focused relationships that encourage personal growth and continued progress.
• Provide practical assistance with social, financial, physical, and personal needs that contribute to successful community living.
• Monitor and communicate notable changes in an individual's mental health, behavior, or overall functioning.
• Help individuals identify and access appropriate community programs, resources, and support services.
• Encourage and coach individuals in developing practical skills for daily routines, self-care, and independent living.
• Advocate for individuals' needs while promoting choice, self-determination, and participation in their recovery.

Required qualifications/skills:

• Must be a person who has experienced a mental health and/or substance use condition.
• Minimum of 12 months successful recovery to include making progress in learning about and managing his or her condition and in developing a life outside of or in addition to this condition.
• Must complete the DBHDS 72 hour Peer Recovery Specialist Training within 6 months of hire.

ABOUT US

Since 1971, the Hampton-Newport News Community Services Board has provided the highest quality of behavioral health services to residents of the cities of Hampton and Newport News, Virginia, offering a comprehensive array of programs for both children and adults living with mental illness, developmental disabilities, and/or substance use disorders.

A TYPICAL DAY

As a Peer Recovery Specialist I, you'll spend your day building meaningful connections and providing practical, recovery-oriented support. You may begin by reviewing the day's priorities and communicating with the care team before meeting with individuals to discuss their goals, progress, and current needs.

Your responsibilities will vary throughout the day. You'll help individuals work through everyday challenges, develop healthy routines, strengthen independent-living skills, and connect with resources that support greater stability and community involvement. You'll also record important observations, share relevant updates with team members, and tailor your support to each person's circumstances.

Because every day is different, you'll need to remain flexible and responsive. You'll work independently when appropriate while collaborating closely with others to promote a safe, respectful, and supportive environment for the individuals you serve.

OUR BENEFITS

• Medical, Dental, and Vision coverage
• Life Insurance
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• 11 Paid Holidays
• Participation in the Virginia Retirement System (VRS)

The selected candidate must successfully pass a criminal history fingerprint background investigation, DMV record check, Child Registry search, drug screening test and employment reference checks.