Peer Specialist

The Peer Recovery Specialist I has responsibility to carry-out mentoring or Specializing with individuals having substance use disorders and/or co-occurring disorders who are receiving addiction pharmacotherapy. Recovery Specializing refers to a one-on-one relationship in which a peer leader with more recovery experience than the person served, encourages, motivates, and supports a peer who is seeking to establish or strengthen his or her recovery.

**ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS and RESPONSIBILITIES**: _The list of essential functions, as outlined herein, is intended to be representative of the tasks performed within this classification with or without an accommodation. It is not necessarily descriptive of any one position in the class. The omission of an essential function does not preclude management from assigning duties not listed herein if such functions are a logical assignment to the position._
- Mentors or coaches peers in office, home and community with tasks such as setting recovery goals, developing recovery action plans, and solving problems directly related to recovery, including finding sober housing, making new friends, finding new uses of spare time, and improving one’s job skills.
- Provide assistance with issues that arise in connection with collateral problems such as having a criminal justice record or coexisting physical or mental challenges.
- The Peer Recovery Specialist assists in basic job readiness skills that include resume building and job searches, links to vocational rehabilitation, work force development, vocational schools and colleges.
- The Recovery Specialist, if he or she is a person in recovery, must have at least 1year sobriety and be co-occurring knowledgeable, and must undergo Recovery Specialist Training from an approved Trainer. Bi-lingual and bi-cultural is a plus.
- The relationship of the peer leader to the peer receiving help is highly supportive, rather than directive. The duration of the relationship between the two depends on a number of factors such as how much recovery time the peer has, how much other support the peer is receiving, or how quickly the peer’s most pressing problems can be addressed.
- The Specialist helps peers in early recovery make choices about which recovery pathway(s) will work for them, rather than urging them to adopt the mentor’s or Specialist’s own program or any specific program of recovery.
- Mentors individuals in Recovery and Wellness strategies and model recovery skills and behaviors through lived experience.
- Advocates for peers with regard to stigma issues, respect and person-centeredness within the team and the larger community.
- The ability to comply with the regulations requiring a workplace of dignity and respect and equal employment opportunity compliance.
- The ability to work collaboratively with others and to accept constructive criticism from supervisors and managers.
- Willingness to abide by the company’s published rules and regulations

**COMPETENCIES**:_Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, and Motivation (KSAM) required for an employee to be successful._
- ** Serving Our Consumers**:_Effectively meeting consumer needs, building productive consumer relationships, and taking responsibility for consumer satisfaction and loyalty._
- **Consumer Focus**:Building strong consumer relationships and delivering consumer-centric solutions.
- ** Values Differences**:Recognizing the value that different perspectives and cultures bring to an organization.
- **Age Specific**: Adult Developmental Stages, Assessment, Knowledge, Interpretation, Interventions, Enhancement of Family Involvement
- ** Basic Job Readiness**: Courtesy, Flexibility, Reliability, Responsiveness
- ** Personal Effectiveness**: Communication, Interpersonal Skills, Self-Management, and Thinking Skills.
- ** Organizational/Management**: Compliance, CQI, Commitment, Leadership, Management of Information, Organizational Participation, Safety
- ** Performance Specific**: Assessment, Crisis Management, Customer Focus, Cultural Competence, Empowerment/Advocacy, Psychosocial Interventions, Treatment/Service Planning
- **Effective Communication**:_Clearly conveying information and ideas to individuals and groups in a manner that engages the audience and helps them understand and retain the message._
- **Communicates Effectively**:Developing and delivering multi-mode communications that convey a clear understanding of the unique needs of different audiences.
- ** Manages Conflict**: Handling conflict situations effectively, with a minimum of noise.
- **Continuous Improvement**:_The ongoing process of achieving positive changes in service and processes in order to improve efficiency and quality._
- **Resourcefulness**: Securing and deploying resources effectively and efficiently.
- ** Cultivates Innovation**: Creating new and better ways for the organization to be successful.
- **Expertise**:_Demonstrating proficiency of an employee's skill or knowledge within their field