Peer Recovery Specialist

Job Description

Job Description

At Morris County Prevention is Key , we believe in the transformative power of substance use recovery. We are looking for Peer Recovery Specialists who are passionate about helping others succeed and ready to make a difference in the lives of individuals working towards long-term recovery. We are seeking a dedicated and compassionate Recovery Specialist to join our team. The Peer Recovery Specialist will work collaboratively with clients to foster recovery, promote resilience, and enhance their quality of life through effective interventions and support strategies.If you are motivated, compassionate, and eager to share your personal recovery journey to inspire others, this is the opportunity for you!

Who we are:

Prevention is Key/CARES is a Non-Profit Organization providing Prevention and Recovery Services in seven counties in northern New Jersey. We have been doing this work for more than 35 years and have a proven track record for success. We operate on a multiple pathways approach to recovery, indicating the participant is in charge of identifying their recovery pathway ranging from complete abstinence based to harm reduction forms of recovery.

General Summary : The Peer Recovery Specialist (PRS) must have a working knowledge of SAMHSA’s Four Dimensions that Support a Life in Recovery as well as that of the drug and alcohol treatment system and a demonstrated commitment to the recovery community. The PRS’s role is to support participants in achieving and maintaining recovery from a substance use disorder. The PRS will serve as a role model, mentor, advocate, advisor and motivator to both actively using participants and recovering participants in order to help prevent relapse and promote long-term recovery.

1. Utilize evidence-based practices including motivational interviewing (MI).

2. Maintain project logs, reports and records in appropriate files and database(s), including EHRs (Electronic Health Records).

3. Provide recovery education to service participants for every phase of the recovery journey from pre-recovery engagement, recovery initiation, recovery stabilization, and sustained recovery maintenance.

4. Provide a model for both people in recovery and those actively using substances by demonstrating that recovery is possible.

5. Assist recovering persons to identify their personal interests, goals, strengths and weaknesses regarding recovery.

6. Work with participant in developing a person-centered Recovery Management Plan (RMP) that identifies achievable, measurable and sustainable goals.

7. Utilizing tools such as the Brief Assessment of Recovery Capital (BARC-10) and the Engagement Scale Data (ESD) tools and Recovery Management Plans (RMPs).

8. Complete a comprehensive intake process to address life domains including, education, employment, housing, substance use and recovery pathway etc.

9. Promote self-advocacy by assisting recovering persons to have their voices fully heard; their needs, goals and objectives established as the focal point of rehabilitation and clinical services.

10. Actively identify and support linkages to community resources (communities of recovery, educational, vocational, social, cultural, spiritual resources, mutual self- help groups, professional services, etc.) that support the recovering person’s goals and interests. This will involve a collaborative effort including the recovering person, agency staff and other relevant stakeholders.

11. Support connections to community based, mutual self-help groups. Link individuals to appropriate professional resources when needed. Provide vision-driven hope and encouragement for opportunities at varying levels of involvement in community based-activities (e.g., work, school, relationships, physical activity, self-directed hobbies, etc.).

12. Develop relationships with community groups/agencies in partnership with others in the agency.

13. Visit community resources with recovering persons to assist them in becoming familiar with potential opportunities.

14. Identify barriers (internal and external) to full participation in community resources and develop strategies to overcome those barriers.

15. Maintain contact with participant as specified in grant.

16. Mobilize resources within, and outside of, the recovery community to increase the prevalence and quality of long-term recovery support from substance abuse and addiction.

17. Ensure that all project services meet or exceed the expectations of the agency and those receiving them.

18. Enhance, expand, and delivery of, Peer Recovery services as well as promotion of, and education about recovery.

19. Other duties as directed by Management.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities :

1. Cross-cultural skills and experience with culturally diverse populations.

2. Demonstrated excellence in written and oral communication skills.

3. Strong computer skills, proficiency in MS Office Suite and current technology experience.

4. Positive, team collaborator with strong work ethic.

5. Motivational and encouragement skills necessary.

6. Experience working in Essex, Morris and/or Passaic County and knowledge of local community resources.

7. Willing to conduct community outreach at a street level in Essex, Morris and/or Passaic County, NJ.

8. Comfortable working closely with law-enforcement, court system and other community providers.

Program Implementation:

• Implement projects according to set goals and objectives.
• Ensure that the project and services offered through assigned grants are delivered in congruence with its mission.
• Provide services based on grant requirements including, but not limited to, reporting and budget.

Community Relations/Advocacy:

• Communicate with key stakeholders to keep them informed of the work of the organization and to identify changes in the community served by the organization.
• Establish good working relationships and collaborative arrangements with community groups, funders, decision makers, and other organizations to help achieve the goals of the organization and project.

Education and Experiences :

• High school diploma required, bachelor’s degree preferred in relevant course of study (Psychology, Counseling, Social Sciences, Education, Health Sciences).
• Relevant paid or voluntary work or life experience and/or community outreach experience is a plus.
• Must have acquired their Certified Peer Recovery Specialist credential issued by the APCBNJ within one year of employment.
• Valid NJ State Driver’s license in good standing and reliable transportation.
• Bilingual Spanish speaking preferred.

Evening and weekend availability is required. Visit for more information about our services.

Join us in making a difference in the lives of those we serve by empowering individuals on their journey to recovery!

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit and talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to stand and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds, frequently lift and/or move up to 20 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and distance vision.

Work Environment:
This job operates in a professional office environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and fax machines.

AAP/EEO:

The company provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, the company complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer leaves of absence, compensation and training.

The company expressly prohibits any form of workplace harassment based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, or veteran status. Improper interference with the ability of the company’s employees to perform their job duties may result in discipline up to and including discharge.

Note: The statements herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees assigned to this position. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified.

Prevention is Key/CARES is a Non-Profit Organization providing Prevention and Recovery Services in seven counties in northern New Jersey. We have been doing this work for more than 35 years and have a proven track record for success. We operate on a multiple pathways approach to recovery, indicating the participant is in charge of identifying their recovery pathway ranging from complete abstinence based to harm reduction forms of recovery.

Company Description

Prevention is Key/CARES is a Non-Profit Organization providing Prevention and Recovery Services in seven counties in northern New Jersey. We have been doing this work for more than 35 years and have a proven track record for success. We operate on a multiple pathways approach to recovery, indicating the participant is in charge of identifying their recovery pathway ranging from complete abstinence based to harm reduction forms of recovery.