Job Description
Position: Peer Support Specialist
Job Category: OAR/Jefferson Area Community Corrections
Hours Required: Full Time (40 Hours)
Reports To: Peer Support Manager
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.
Share aspects of personal lived experience with substance use disorder 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 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.
· 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 addiction and recovery, 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 background. 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. Participation in a Recovery Court is preferred. Certification as a Peer Recovery Support Specialist 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: May 17, 2026
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $46,590.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Employee discount
- Flexible schedule
- Flexible spending account
- Health insurance
- Health savings account
- Life insurance
- Mileage reimbursement
- Paid time off
- Professional development assistance
- Vision insurance
People with a criminal record are encouraged to apply
Application Question(s):
- This position requires lived experience with the criminal justice system, meaning you, personally have been arrested and or spent time incarcerated. Please state whether you have lived experience of this type.
- This position requires lived experience in recovery from substance use disorder and active participation in a recovery pathway. Please briefly describe your recovery journey and what you've been doing to support it.
Work Location: In person
