PEER RECOVERY SUPPORT SPECIALIST

Offender Aid & Restoration; Charlottesville (VA); On-site; USD 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

Offender Aid & Restoration in Charlottesville, VA seeks a Peer Support Specialist to provide counseling and recovery support to participants in Recovery Court and Therapeutic Docket programs. The role includes sharing personal recovery experiences professionally, supporting families, and coordinating with case managers and treatment providers.

Responsibilities include transportation, aftercare planning, attending staff meetings, and maintaining case records.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or G.E.D. preferred.
• Personal experience in recovery is required.
• 3 years in recovery is required.
• Personal experience with Serious Mental Illness is preferred.
• Participation in a Recovery Court is preferred.
• Certification as a Peer Recovery Support Specialist is required to be obtained within 1 year of employment.

Responsibilities

• Provide support services to participants and alumni (peers) of Recovery Court Programs and the Therapeutic Docket.
• Share aspects of personal lived experience with substance use disorder, serious mental illness, or criminal involvement appropriately in a professional setting with peers.
• Provide support and education to family members.
• Work collaboratively with case managers, treatment providers and other care providers in linking individuals to services and supports specified in the Recovery Court plan or treatment plan.
• Attend staffing meetings with the Recovery Court and Therapeutic Docket teams to provide relevant participant information.
• Read all agency communication.
• Provide transportation to and from residential programs or to treatment, medical appointments and as directed.
• Arrange aftercare and follow up services for individuals leaving Recovery Court or Therapeutic Docket.
• Attend required meetings and trainings as assigned.
• Maintain necessary casework records to document the provision of support services.

Education

High school diploma/G.E.D

Job description

Job Category: OAR/Jefferson Area Community Corrections

Hours Required: Full Time (40 Hours)

General Definition and Conditions of Work:

The Peer Support Specialist is responsible for providing and extending counseling, emotional support and recovery support services to chemically dependent individuals and individuals with co‑occurring disorders in the Recovery Court and Therapeutic Docket Programs.

Work involves risk to personal safety due to close contact with offender population in a community corrections setting. This is primarily sedentary work requiring the ability to type and operate a computer. Vocal communication and the ability to convey information and or detailed instructions accurately, loudly, and quickly is required. Hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word level. Visual acuity is necessary to analyze written or computer data and to observe general surroundings and activities.

Responsibilities Will Include:

• Provide support services to participants and alumni (peers) of Recovery Court Programs and the Therapeutic Docket.
• Share aspects of personal lived experience with substance use disorder, serious mental illness, or criminal involvement appropriately in a professional setting with peers.
• Provides support and education to family members.
• Work collaboratively with case managers, treatment providers and other care providers in linking individuals directly to services and supports specified in the individuals Recovery Court case plan or treatment plan.
• Attends staffing meetings with the Recovery Court and Therapeutic Docket teams to provide relevant participant information to inform decisions of the Court.
• Reads all agency communication.
• Provides transportation to and from residential programs or to treatment, support, medical appointments and as directed by the Peer Support Manager or the Regional Specialty Docket Coordinator.
• Arranges aftercare and follow up services for individuals leaving Recovery Court or Therapeutic Docket.
• Attends required meetings and trainings as assigned.
• Maintains necessary casework records to document the provision of support services.
• Performs other duties as assigned in keeping with general description of this position

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Knowledge of Recovery Court policies and procedures, substance use disorder, and serious mental illness preferred. Possess general knowledge of human behavior, social science and rehabilitative techniques and objectives. Possess the ability to establish and maintain positive working relationships with representatives of numerous professions, clients, victims, families and the public. Ability to perform outreach and public education, accept supervision and seek it out, and work effectively with all levels of OAR/Recovery Court staff. Team player with the ability to establish and maintain positive and collaborative working relationships with coworkers, administrative and management staff. Ability to build rapport with people from a wide variety of backgrounds. Possess the ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing. Ability to learn and apply new techniques and skills as trained. Ability to utilize a computer, email, word processing and database management system.

Qualifications:

A high school diploma/G.E.D is preferred. Personal experience in recovery is required. 3 years in recovery is required. Personal experience with Serious Mental Illness is preferred. Participation in a Recovery Court is preferred. Certification as a Peer Recovery Support Specialist is required to be obtained within 1 year of employment and certification training will be provided. A valid Virginia driver's license is required or required to be obtained within 3 months of employment.

Ad Closing Date: This position will remain open until filled. Application reviews will begin after November 12, 2026.