Street Outreach Recovery Coach

HCRS (Health Care & Rehabilitation Services of Southeastern Vermont); Brattleboro (VT); On-site; USD 30,000 - 32,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid time off

Sick days

9 holidays per year

Job summary

HCRS (Health Care & Rehabilitation Services of Southeastern Vermont) is seeking a Street Outreach Recovery Coach to engage individuals with substance use disorders in community settings. You will provide peer support, overdose prevention education, and connections to treatment, housing, healthcare, and services.

Using a person-centered, trauma-informed, and harm reduction approach, you will meet individuals where they are and support their self-identified goals within a collaborative,

Qualifications

• Understanding of recovery principles and harm reduction.
• Knowledge of community resources and treatment options.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and advocacy skills.
• Ability to engage individuals in crisis with empathy and respect.

Responsibilities

• Outreach to individuals in streets, shelters, and public spaces.
• Build trusting relationships using lived recovery experience.
• Provide peer support, overdose prevention education, and resources.
• Facilitate connections to treatment, housing, healthcare, and services.
• Document interactions, referrals, and outcomes in a confidential manner.
• Collaborate with treatment providers and community partners.

Skills

Recovery principles

Peer support

Interpersonal skills

Crisis engagement

Communication

Documentation

Boundaries

Advocacy

Education

Recovery Coach Certification / Peer Recovery Specialist

Job description

The pay for this position is $22-23 per hour.

Starting with 4 weeks of paid time off (pro-rated) plus 12 sick days and 9 holidays per year!

Position Purpose

The Street Outreach Recovery Coach directly engages individuals experiencing substance use disorders in community settings, including streets, encampments, shelters, public spaces, and other nontraditional environments. Drawing upon their lived experience with recovery, the Street Outreach Recovery Coach builds trusting relationships with individuals who may be disconnected from services and support systems.

Using a person-centered, trauma-informed, and harm reduction approach, the Recovery Coach provides peer support, overdose prevention education, recovery resources, and connections to treatment, housing, healthcare, and community services. This role serves as a bridge to recovery by meeting individuals where they are and supporting their self-identified goals.

Principal Responsibilities and Duties

Outreach & Engagement

• Conduct proactive outreach to individuals experiencing substance use disorders in streets, encampments, shelters, and other community locations.
• Build trusting, supportive relationships through the use of lived recovery experience and peer support principles.
• Engage individuals who may be reluctant or unable to access traditional treatment and support services.
• Provide compassionate, nonjudgmental support that promotes hope, recovery, and self-determination.
• Meet individuals where they are in their recovery journey and support their personal goals.

Recovery Support & Peer Services

• Share lived experience appropriately to inspire and support individuals seeking recovery.
• Assist individuals in identifying strengths, goals, and pathways toward recovery and wellness.
• Provide ongoing peer recovery coaching and encouragement.
• Support individuals in navigating challenges related to recovery, housing stability, employment, healthcare, and social connections.
• Facilitate connections to recovery support groups, peer networks, and community resources.

Overdose Prevention & Harm Reduction

• Provide overdose prevention education person-centered substance use safety planning information.
• Distribute and educate individuals on the use of naloxone and other approved safety planning resources.
• Promote safer substance use practices and strategies to reduce risk and enhance safety.
• Respond appropriately during crisis situations and connect individuals to emergency or urgent services when needed.

Care Coordination & Resource Navigation

• Connect individuals to substance use treatment, medication-assisted treatment (MAT), detoxification, recovery housing, permanent housing, healthcare, mental health services, and other community supports.
• Facilitate referrals and warm handoffs to service providers and community partners.
• Assist individuals with completing applications, obtaining identification documents, securing benefits, and accessing available resources.
• Follow up with individuals to support engagement and continuity of care.
• Advocate for individuals and help reduce barriers to services and recovery supports.

Documentation & Collaboration

• Maintain timely, accurate, and confidential documentation of outreach activities, referrals, and client interactions.
• Collaborate with treatment providers, housing agencies, healthcare organizations, emergency responders, and community partners.
• Participate in team meetings, case reviews, and training activities.
• Contribute to outreach strategies and community engagement initiatives.

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

• Demonstrated understanding of recovery principles, peer support practices, and harm reduction approaches.
• Knowledge of substance use disorders, treatment options, recovery supports, and community resources.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to establish trusting relationships with diverse populations.
• Ability to engage individuals experiencing crisis, homelessness, or active substance use with empathy and respect.
• Effective communication, problem-solving, and advocacy skills.
• Ability to maintain professional boundaries while utilizing lived experience appropriately.
• Strong organizational and documentation skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team.

Qualifications

• Certification as a Recovery Coach, Peer Recovery Specialist, or Peer Support Specialist preferred or obtained within a designated timeframe.
• Lived experience with substance use recovery.
• Experience working with individuals affected by substance use disorders, homelessness, mental health challenges, or other complex social needs preferred.
• Community outreach, peer support, case management, or human services experience preferred.

Working Conditions

• Frequent work in community settings, including streets, encampments, shelters, and public spaces.
• Exposure to varying weather conditions and challenging environments.
• Regular local travel required.