Position Title: Peer Recovery Support Specialist
Position Type: Part time, Exempt
Location: Reno, Nevada
Position Reports to: NAMI Northern Nevada Program Manager
NAMI Northern Nevada is a nonprofit organization comprised of individuals with lived experience, family members, friends, and professionals dedicated to improving the lives of people affected by mental health conditions. Through education, support, advocacy, and community partnerships, NAMI Northern Nevada provides free educational programs, peer-led support groups, resource navigation, and outreach services throughout Northern Nevada.
Position Description:
The Peer Recovery Support Specialist (PRSS) provides peer-based recovery support services to individuals living with mental health and/or substance use challenges. Using their lived experience, professional training, and recovery expertise, the PRSS empowers individuals to identify strengths, establish personal recovery goals, navigate community resources, and build meaningful lives in recovery. The PRSS delivers services using a recovery-oriented, trauma-informed, and person-centered approach that promotes hope, self-determination, wellness, and resilience. Depending on program assignment, the PRSS may provide services to specialized populations, including individuals involved with th criminal justice system, those transitioning from institutional settings, or other individuals experiencing behavioral health challenges. The PRSS works collaboratively with community partners, healthcare providers, behavioral health agencies, criminal justice professionals, and other service providers to improve participant engagement, increase access to services, and support successful recovery outcomes.
General Responsibilities:
1. Provide peer recovery support services using lived experience, recovery principles, and evidence-based peer support practices.
2. Establish trusting, respectful, and recovery-oriented relationships while maintaining appropriate professional boundaries.
3. Assist participants in identifying strengths, setting recovery goals, and developing individualized recovery plans.
4. Connect participants with community resources including behavioral health treatment, housing,
employment, education, transportation, healthcare, benefits, and other supportive services.
5. Collaborate with referral partners, community agencies, healthcare organizations, criminal justice professionals, and other stakeholders to coordinate participant services.
6. Conduct participant screenings, intake activities, and ongoing follow-up as required by assigned programs.
7. Maintain accurate documentation, case notes, referrals, and program records in accordance with organizational policies, grant requirements, and confidentiality regulations.
8. Participate in multidisciplinary meetings, case consultations, and community partner meetings as assigned.
9. Promote recovery, self-advocacy, wellness, and participant empowerment through education, encouragement, and peer mentoring.
10. Assist with community outreach, presentations, educational activities, and program promotion.
11. Participate in required supervision, staff meetings, trainings, and professional development activities.
12. Perform other duties as assigned to support NAMI Northern Nevada's mission and programs.
Specific Skills:
● Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
● Knowledge of recovery-oriented systems of care.
● Motivational Interviewing and active listening skills.
● Strong interpersonal relationship-building abilities.
● Conflict resolution and problem-solving skills.
● Ability to work independently while collaborating within multidisciplinary teams.
● Strong organizational and time-management skills.
● Competency using Google Workspace (Docs, Sheets, Drive, Forms) and other electronic
documentation systems.
● Ability to maintain accurate documentation and protect confidential information.
● Commitment to cultural humility, diversity, equity, inclusion, and trauma-informed care.
● Ability to maintain professional boundaries and uphold peer support ethics.
Required Education, Experience and Professional Skills:
● Current Nevada Certified Peer Recovery Support Specialist (PRSS).
● Maintain PRSS certification in good standing throughout employment.
● Lived experience consistent with Nevada PRSS certification requirements.
● Knowledge of recovery principles and peer support ethics.
● Ability to establish effective working relationships with individuals from diverse backgrounds.
● Ability to maintain confidentiality and comply with HIPAA, 42 CFR Part 2, and other applicable
federal and state regulations.
● Valid Nevada Driver's License with reliable transportation.
Desired Additional Education/Skills
● Experience working with individuals experiencing serious mental illness and/or substance use
disorders.
● Experience working with justice-involved individuals, behavioral health systems, healthcare
organizations, or community-based programs.
● Associate's Degree or higher in Social Work, Psychology, Criminal Justice, Human Services, or a
related field.
● Bilingual (Spanish) preferred.
Compensation:
● $20 an hour
● This is a grant-funded position and subject to continued funding
Physical Requirements
● Normal office and community-based work environment.
● Ability to walk, stand, sit, bend, and use stairs as needed.
● May be required to travel throughout Northern Nevada.
● May provide services in community settings, healthcare facilities, correctional facilities,
participant homes, or partner agency locations.
● Ability to operate standard office equipment.
● Use of a personal vehicle may be required. Mileage reimbursement is provided in accordance
with organizational policy.
Pay: $20.00 per hour
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Reno, NV 89502
