peer recovery support specialist - (BILINGUAL spanish preferred)

Under supervision, the peer specialist will promote a recovery-based approach to peer care that emphasizes hope, respect, self-direction and empowerment by providing peer support, personal assistance, education on community resources and other supportive services, to aid in peers’ recovery from substance use/co-occurring and mental health challenges.

Duties and Responsibilities

Who Are We: 

Association of Persons Affected by Addiction (APAA) is a non-profit organization providing recovery support services to individuals in or seeking recovery from substance abuse, mental health, and co-occurring challenges.  We are a peer-driven and peer-led recovery community organization that offers services and revery management and promotes volunteerism within the recovery community.

We envision a world community that understands addiction and mental health conditions affect the mind, body, and spirit, is free from the stigma associated with addiction and mental health, and supports prevention, treatment, wellness, and recovery.

The mission of APAA is to educate all segments of the community about the nature of addiction and mental health recovery, and provide recovery support services to individuals, families, and the community.

 Job Summary:

Under supervision, the Bilingual (Spanish/English) Peer Support Recovery Specialist will promote a recovery-based approach to peer care that emphasizes hope, respect, self-direction and empowerment by providing peer support, personal assistance, education on community resources and other supportive services, to aid in peers’ recovery from substance use/co-occurring and mental health challenges.

Position Duties and Responsibilities:

·        Provide support to colleagues and peers in daily activities essential to the recovery program objectives, including, but not limited to, screening/intake, strength assessment, orientation, recovery planning, community resources (referrals), peer engagement (recovery check-ups), evaluation (quality/productivity), customer service.

·        Provide assistance aimed at supporting community functioning and independence, e.g., shopping, laundry, cleaning, budgeting, using public transportation, meeting attendance.

·        Facilitate groups and educate peers on personal care/self-help, recovery and relapse prevention skills and other groups/meetings that will initiate and sustain recovery.

·        Participate in community events and speaking engagements in an effort to advocate and to provide access to recovery support and services.

·        Provide transportation as assigned to ensure peers access to behavioral health services, as well as other needed community services.

·        Provide information and assistance in the following activities as assigned: recovery planning, recovery commitment, crisis plans, self-determination, and AA/NA and support meetings.

·        Provide recovery support related functions (linking, coordinating, monitoring) or peer coaching/support as assigned and in conjunction with peer’s primary care, behavioral health and other providers.

·        Provide supportive services during times of peer crisis/relapse as identified.

·        Facilitate groups and educate peers on personal care/self-help, recovery and relapse prevention skills and other groups/meetings that will initiate and sustain recovery.

Required Skills & Abilities:

·        Ability to plan and organize.

·        Strong communication, interpersonal skills.

·        Effective presentation skills.

·        The ability to relate well to people of all ages, cultural and religious backgrounds.

·        Intermediate computer skills required; use of Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook and HER.

·        Flexible, highly organized, and have the ability to work within a team structure.

·        Able to think quickly and act appropriately in emergencies or crisis situations.

·        Excellent customer service skills.

·        Able to work in a diverse, ever-changing environment.

·        Practices recovery in his/her own life.

·        Coachable and teachable

·        Can promote a healthy, positive, and safe work environment.

Minimum Requirements:

·       Bilingual (Spanish/English) communication skills (preferred but not mandatory)

·       Must be 18 years or older with a high school diploma or equivalent.

·       Must have at least 2 years sobriety in recovery and/or a co-occurring mental health challenges OR a person affected by addiction with at least 2 years of recovery support experience.

·       Must have knowledge of substance use disorders, co-occurring mental health and recovery principles.

·       Must have completed RSPS or MHPS training OR obtain within 6 months of employment.

·       Must have reliable transportation, a valid state of Texas driver’s license, and current automobile liability insurance.

Preferred Qualifications:

·      Basic typing and computer operations is essential.

Follow these steps to submit your employment application:

Step 1. Download the application

Step 2. Fill out the application completely

Step 3. Email the application to HRdepartment@apaarecovery.org