RSC Recovery Coach

St. Francis House; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 32,731 - 36,010; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance coverage

401(k) retirement match

4 weeks vacation plus 13 holidays

Job summary

St. Francis House in Boston seeks a Recovery Coach to support adults experiencing homelessness and recovery from addiction. This essential role engages with community members, fostering connections and guiding them toward their recovery goals.

This position involves developing personalized recovery plans, facilitating support groups, and collaborating with an interdisciplinary team to help members achieve stability in their lives.

The Recovery Coach position offers extensive benefits, including health insurance and retirement matching plans, while contributing to a meaningful cause.

Qualifications

• Preferred certification as a Recovery Coach within 6 months of hiring.
• 1-2 years lived experience with substance recovery required.
• Experience working with individuals in recovery or homelessness.

Responsibilities

• Provide peer recovery coaching for long-term support.
• Build trust and engage hard-to-reach members.
• Document work with members and complete reports.

Skills

Motivational interviewing techniques

Empathy and understanding of recovery

Crisis de-escalation

Effective communication

Comfort with diverse populations

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Certified Addiction Recovery Coach (CARC) preferred

Tools

Standard computer applications (Outlook, Word, databases)

Job description

Salary Range: $23.76 per hour - $26.14 per hour

FLSA Status: Non-exempt

Schedule: Sunday - Thursday or Tuesday - Saturday, 6:30AM - 2:30PM, Hours may change based on department or agency needs, Additional hours in evenings, weekends, and holidays may be required

Homelessness is a public health, social and racial justice issue!

Since 1984, St. Francis House has committed itself to healing the wounds of those impacted by an inequitable society and breaking down the barriers, including systemic racism that prevent all people from living lives of dignity.

St. Francis House is the State’s largest provider of day services supporting people who are at risk of or are experiencing homelessness. Located in the heart of downtown Boston, we compassionately welcome nearly 500+ adults through our doors every day who are seeking a safe and dignified refuge and opportunities to rebuild their lives. Our holistic approach allows us to deepen our impact by offering integrated programing that helps our guests achieve stability in the areas of housing, income, and behavioral health. Joining our team would provide you a dynamic opportunity to work with an interdisciplinary team of providers dedicated to solving this public health crisis.

We offer an extensive Benefits package! Up to 90% of individual insurance premiums paid for Harvard Pilgrim Health Care health insurance & Altus dental insurance, 4 weeks of vacation and 13 holidays recognized per year, employer – paid life & disability insurance, a vested 403b retirement with 5% match, and much more!

Job Summary

The Room to Grow peer recovery support center (RTG) is a vibrant member-driven community comprised of adults experiencing or vulnerable to homelessness who are engaged in recovery from substance addiction. The Recovery Coach is an essential non-clinical peer support person for RTG members, many of whom have complex needs related to homelessness, past incarceration, and mental and physical health concerns. Championing multiple pathways of recovery, the Recovery Coach engages and supports members individually, in groups, and in the Center community to help members reach their recovery goals.

Essential Duties/Responsibilities

Recovery Coach Responsibilities:

• Provide peer recovery coaching, offering tools, resources, and support for long-term recovery.
• Build trust and maintain professional boundaries as a role model and ally.
• Engage hard-to-reach members and foster connections.
• Use motivational interviewing to help members meet their recovery goals.
• Assist members in creating recovery plans and overcoming obstacles.
• Connect members to recovery resources and accompany them to appointments when possible.
• Facilitate recovery support groups.
• Document work with members and complete necessary reports.

General Coordinator Duties:

• Promote a safe, recovery-positive environment.
• Uphold trauma-informed, person-centered practices.
• Encourage member participation in peer-led activities and events.
• Provide Center orientation and manage membership processes.
• Intervene respectfully when behavior does not align with Center expectations.
• Support members in developing recovery-focused ideas and activities.
• Share recovery resources and event information.
• Collaborate with SFH staff and programs.
• Maintain attendance records and support annual member surveys.
• Participate in regular supervision and training.
• Respond to urgent situations, including de-escalating behavior and using naloxone in emergencies
• Adheres to agency code of conduct.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced community environment with complex needs.
• Support people in recovery with empathy, understanding relapse as part of the process.
• Acceptance of multiple recovery pathways and non-judgmental approach.
• Comfortable engaging with diverse people across various races, ethnicities, identities, and values.
• Proficient in motivational interviewing techniques.
• Skilled in de-escalating behaviors and managing challenging situations.
• Knowledge of overdose prevention and naloxone (Narcan) use.
• Strong understanding and practice of professional boundaries.
• Flexible and adaptable in changing or unpredictable situations.
• Self-directed with ability to work independently and collaborate as a team.
• Effective communication skills (both interpersonal and written).
• Commitment to a person-centered, recovery-oriented, trauma-informed approach.
• Proficient in using standard computer applications, including Outlook, Word, databases, and online tools.

Education and Experience

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Certified Addiction Recovery Coach (CARC) preferred; must complete all CARC training requirements and obtain certification within 6 months of hire.
• Lived experience with substance recovery required (1-2 years sobriety and active engagement in recovery practices).
• Minimum 1 year of experience working with individuals in recovery from addiction, mental health disorders, or homelessness.
• Knowledge of Boston-area substance use treatment and support providers preferred.
• Lived experience with homelessness preferred.
• Proficient in English.
• Bilingual in Spanish preferred.

Work Environment & Activity

• Occasional standing and movement within a multi-level building.
• Accompanying members to other areas within the building and to outside providers as needed.
• Operate computers, phones, and office machinery such as copiers, printers, and projectors.
• Essential Personnel: As an essential employee you will be required to work during business closure, limited closure, and emergency on an as needed basis.

SFH is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. We are committed to fair and equitable employment practices and to fostering a workplace where all employees are respected, supported, and able to grow. In support of our mission, we encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply, including those with lived experience of homelessness or recovery and those who have faced barriers to employment. We value the range of experiences and perspectives that strengthen our work in the community.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these duties.

This job description is subject to change and does not restrict management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.