Recovery Support Peer Specialist

Salary
$53,988.00 Annually
Location
Austin, TX
Job Type
Full Time
Remote Employment
Flexible/Hybrid
Job Number
24-09375
Department
Health & Human Services
Opening Date
08/14/2024
Closing Date
9/15/2024 11:59 PM Central

Job Summary
Peer Support Specialist/Recovery Coach will provide Peer Recovery Support Services, acting as mentor and guide for those at any stage of recovery. The peer specialist promotes recovery by supporting a peer to remove or minimize barriers, connect to the recovery community, and engage in self-directed services. The peer relationship should build equality, trust, and confidence.

In the context of Travis County court program teams and supervision structures, the Recovery Coach provides outreach, education, peer support, and service navigation for individuals dealing with substance use disorder.

The Recovery Coach is responsible for engaging participants and ensuring services that support participants’ ability to enter into and sustain longer term recovery and wellness. The Recovery Coach assists participants to identify and meet recovery and wellness goals, identify and cultivate strengths and supports, overcome barriers and improve recovery capital in the areas of health, home, community and purpose including: recovery from substance use, physical and mental health, economic stability, employment, education and vocational goals, housing, transportation, life skills, parenting, family support, positive social connections and activities, community integration and peer leadership.

Assists applicants’  In navigating to and applyfor a variety of social service programs available and/or provides other social services related to crisis intervention and short-term case management. Interviews clients, collects and completes required documentation, including the participant’s self-directed recovery plan.. Refers clients to clinical and social service provider resources.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS:

This is a job classification within the Social Services job family. This classification is distinguished from other social services classes due to the case management services provided in conjunction with providing peer recovery supports for individuals involved in the court systems due to substance use.  This classification interviews clients, documents service needs and in conjunction with develops and implements a plan that promotes recovery and enhances recovery capital. Duties also include problem-solving assistance and functioning as an advocate on behalf of the client. This classification may require a flexible work schedule in order to meet the needs of the department.

Duties and Responsibilities
• Provide outreach, education, peer support and service, and resources navigation.
• Utilizes person-centered planning principles with participants to develop strength-based recovery plans.
• Provide ongoing mentoring/individualized recovery support assistance.
• Collaborate with other members of the treatment/care team, whether internal or external.
• Engage and retain participants and motivate them to adopt healthy behavioral changes, through a combination of sharing their own experience and hope and use of evidence-based practices such as Motivational Interviewing.
• Connect participant to community organizations that offer a wide array of community resources and community integration.
• Ensure participants are connected to local resource(s), by contacting resources, scheduling appointments, providing transportation, accompanying participant, etc.
• Collaborate with other recovery support/peer support groups, aftercare providers, churches, corporations, alumni, and volunteer organizations.
• Provides overdose prevention and other harm reduction activities
• Engage individuals waiting to receive treatment services to provide interim services and facilitate successful movement into treatment
• Use recovery language and service delivery that reflects recovery.
• Ensure participants have access to a diverse menu of recovery supports and services within the substance use treatment environment from which to select based upon their identified needs, goals and preferences.
• Provide intervention and support to participants who are at risk of disengaging from services.
• Provide flexible hours based on the needs of individuals seeking services. As needed, is available for after-hours urgent issues that arise with participants or referral partners.
• Continue to engage with participants who have re-occurrence of use by identifying challenges to maintaining recovery and readjusting their recovery plan.
• Participate in scheduled training and meetings.
• Participate in program data collection and quality improvement initiatives, to meet project goals and promote program quality and sustainability.
• Maintain records and complete appropriate documentation
• Report information fairly, professionally, and accurately when providing recovery services, documenting services and contacts, and when communicating with other professionals
• Perform other duties as assigned
Minimum Requirements

Education and Experience:

Bachelor’s degree in one of the Social or Behavioral Sciences AND two (2) years experience in social services related work;

OR,

Any combination of education and experience that has been achieved and is equivalent to the stated education and experience and required knowledge, skills, and abilities sufficient to successfully perform the duties and responsibilities of this job.

Licenses, Registrations, Certifications, or Special Requirements:
Valid Texas Driver’s License

Preferred:

Lived experience with substance use issue, willingness to appropriately share your recovery story; and able to demonstrate current self-directed recovery.
Certified Peer Support Specialist under Health and Human Services, State of Texas or in the process of becoming a certified Peer Support Specialist under Health and Human Services, State of Texas, or willing to apply for and complete the process of becoming a certified Peer Support Specialist.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Knowledge of:

Policies, practices, procedures and terminology of assigned function.
Local social services, organizations and programs and the resources available.
Federal, State and Local program laws and requirements.
Modern office practices, procedures and methods.
Computer equipment to include word processing, spreadsheets, databases and a variety of software packages.
May be required to develop knowledge of and adhere to  federal and state laws requiring the confidential handling of certain health information.
Skill in:Providing assistance to participants.
Interviewing techniques.
Problem-solving and decision-making.
Referring clients to appropriate social services organizations and programs.
Operating a variety of modern office equipment, including a computer.
Both verbal and written communication.
Ability to:Deal effectively with persons experiencing crises and economic stress.
Work effectively and courteously under high-pressure circumstances.
Prepare accurate and complete records and reports.
Demonstrate consistent, sound, and mature judgment in the effective and efficient use of human and financial resources.
Manage time well and meet timelines.
Communicate effectively.
Establish and maintain effective working relationships with departmental participants, representatives of outside agencies, other County employees and officials, community outreach and other organizations, clinical and other social service providers, and the general public.
Work Environment & Other Information
Physical requirements include the ability to lift/carry up to 25 pounds occasionally, visual acuity, speech and hearing, hand and eye coordination and manual dexterity necessary to operate a computer and office equipment. Subject to standing, sitting, walking, climbing stairs, bending, stooping, crouching, kneeling, pushing, pulling, reaching, twisting, balancing, repetitive motion, driving, client/customer contact, and squatting to perform the essential functions.

Travis County employees play an important role in business continuity. As such, employees can be assigned to business continuity efforts outside of normal job functions.

This job description is intended to be generic in nature. It is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities. The essential duties, functions and responsibilities and overtime eligibility may vary based on the specific tasks assigned to the position.

Work Hours: 8 AM – 5 PM; Monday through Friday.

Location: 5325 Airport Blvd, Austin, TX, 78751

Department: Health & Human Services

Education, Employment, Driving and Criminal Background Check Required