Peer Recovery Specialist

Job Description

Job Description

POSITION SUMMARY

The Peer Recovery Specialist spearheads community-based overdose response and recovery initiatives by leveraging lived experience and evidence-based harm reduction strategies. Reporting to the Emergency Management Captain, this role builds partnerships with local health agencies, law enforcement, and community organizations to deliver targeted outreach, naloxone distribution, and trauma-informed support. The Specialist designs and facilitates culturally responsive education programs, coordinates warm handoffs to treatment and social services, and drives continuous program improvement through rigorous data analysis and performance metrics aligned to applicable grant requirements, if applicable. Through advocacy and collaboration, this position enhances public health outcomes, community resilience, and compliance with federal, state, and, if applicable, grant funding requirements.

POSITION DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Community Outreach & Overdose Response

• Conduct outreach to overdose survivors, families, and community members following nonfatal overdose events, with a target of engaging at least 50 at-risk individuals per quarter
• Distribute and demonstrate use of naloxone kits; educate on overdose prevention and safer practices, aiming to distribute a minimum of 50 kits per quarter
• Provide immediate psychological first aid and coordinate warm handoffs to treatment providers
• Refer individuals to therapeutic substance use disorder counseling services, documenting referrals and tracking uptake
• Track and report outreach metrics, including number of kits distributed, referrals made, and individuals engaged against quarterly targets
• Maintain confidential, secure records of all community contacts and referrals in accordance with RAA policy in the agency's ePCR system
• Assess community needs and identify high-risk locations or populations for targeted interventions

Training & Education

• Develop, update, and deliver harm reduction and recovery curricula for community organizations, first responders, public health agencies, and stakeholders
• Coordinate four in-person workshops or virtual webinars annually
• Create culturally and linguistically appropriate educational materials, toolkits, and multimedia presentations
• Train community volunteers in naloxone administration and overdose response best practices

Program Development, Evaluation & Grant Compliance

• Design, implement, and refine peer recovery initiatives in accordance with SAMHSA model standards and established performance
• Develop data collection instruments; capture and analyze qualitative feedback and quantitative metrics for continuous quality improvement
• Monitor program budget, resource allocation, and cost-effectiveness to inform funding applications and fiscal planning
• Prepare and submit quarterly performance, financial, and compliance reports to City stakeholders and grant administrators, if applicable
• Set, monitor, and adjust outcome targets (e.g., naloxone distribution, workshop completion rates) in collaboration with senior leadership
• Establish and maintain partnerships with local health departments, harm reduction agencies, law enforcement, and community organizations

Supervision & Professional Development

• Mentor and coach volunteers or trainee peer workers; coordinate shadowing, internships, and certification pathways
• Identify and pursue professional development opportunities, including advanced certifications and cross-sector trainings
• Lead periodic program review meetings to share lessons learned and best practices

Telehealth & Virtual Support

• Provide remote recovery coaching and peer support via telephone, ensuring compliance with HIPAA and confidentiality protocols
• Develop and deliver virtual overdose response and harm reduction trainings when in-person delivery is not feasible

Additional Responsibilities

• Represent RAA on community forums, advisory committees, and policy workgroups to advocate for overdose prevention and recovery initiatives
• Participate in multi-agency task forces focused on public health emergencies, substance use prevention, and community resilience planning
• Contribute to the development and review of organizational policies related to peer recovery, harm reduction, and mental health
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Emergency Management Captain or their designee

CORE COMPETENCIES

• Recovery Orientation: Models hope and resilience through lived experience
• Self-Care & Boundary Management: Practices self-care strategies and maintains professional boundaries
• Community Engagement & Advocacy: Builds trust with diverse populations; navigates systems to secure resources
• Trauma-Informed Practice: Applies sensitive approaches to minimize re-traumatization
• Harm Reduction Expertise: Educates on overdose response, safer practices, and naloxone use
• Training Facilitation: Designs and delivers effective workshops and webinars
• Ethics, Confidentiality & Data Literacy: Upholds privacy standards, secures data, and analyzes metrics for program improvement
• Risk Assessment & Safety Planning: Identifies and mitigates potential safety risks during community interventions

PERFORMANCE EVALUATION

Peer recovery program performance will be evaluated based on the following performance measures and outcome targets (including grant performance measures, if applicable), as well as data accuracy, stakeholder feedback, and operational contributions:

• Total peer recovery contacts recorded quarterly
• Number and effectiveness of referrals to therapeutic substance use disorder services
• Quantity of naloxone kits distributed annually (minimum 200 kits)
• Delivery and quality of at least four harm reduction training sessions per year
• Achievement of quarterly outreach targets (50 individuals engaged, 50 kits distributed)
• Program budget adherence and cost-effectiveness indicators
• Establishment and maintenance of community partnerships and stakeholder satisfaction

The Peer Recovery Specialist is evaluated bi-annually by the Field Operations Captain based on operational effectiveness, program performance metrics, work quality, communication, and compliance with agency policies and procedures.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

Minimum Qualifications:

• High school diploma or GED
• Certified Peer Recovery Specialist (CPRS) certification, or equivalent state-recognized credential
• Minimum two years of sustained recovery from substance use disorder
• At least 500 hours of supervised peer recovery work (volunteer or paid)
• Completion of core peer support training aligned with SAMHSA Peer Core Competencies
• Certification in overdose response and naloxone administration
• Valid Virginia driver’s license with acceptable driving record
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, telehealth platforms, and secure documentation systems
• Demonstrated cultural competence, risk assessment, and community outreach skills

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in community-based harm reduction or overdose prevention programs
• Ability to lead and mentor multidisciplinary care teams in the peer recovery area of expertise

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Ability to travel locally to community sites, public health events, and patients within the city limits and surrounding counties
• Ability to stand, present, and engage groups for extended periods
• Must be able to operate standard office equipment
• Occasional lifting of up to 25 pounds independently for materials, equipment, or outreach kits
• Must have substantial movements of the body, wrists, hands, and or fingers
• Must be able to work in various environmental conditions as well as temperature changes.
• Required to have visual acuity to operate motor vehicles and or equipment.
• Must be able to perceive the nature of sounds at normal speaking levels with or without correction and receive detailed information through oral communication.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

• Subject to background checks, drug screening, and adherence to HIPAA, data security protocols, and annual HIPAA/confidentiality training
• Participation in overdose response education, training, and public health events
• A vehicle and fuel card for all job-related travel may be provided upon request
• Must wear RAA uniform during performance of official duties and conform to all RAA policies and standard operating guidelines
• Must maintain all required certifications and complete annual refresher training
• Commitment to ongoing professional development and cross-agency training
• Successful completion of a probationary period is required for all new hires

GENERAL POSITION PARAMETERS

• Full-Time, Hourly, Non-Exempt
  • Target Pay Range: $27.00 - $27.00 per hour
• Days – 8 hour shifts, 40 Hours per week