Job Description

THIS IS A NON-CIVIL SERVICE POSITION

Salary Range:

$43,901.00 - $69,639.00 Annually

Hiring Salary Range:

$43,901.00 - $56,770.00 Annually

Get to Know Us

Welcome to the City of Baltimore! Experience the reward of a fulfilling career and enjoy the added element of excitement in a vibrant, diverse atmosphere. The City of Baltimore offers limitless opportunities to help drive social impact, both on the job and in the community, while serving its citizens. Join us in making Baltimore a great place to live and work. In the City of Baltimore, we hire great people and provide them with the skills and opportunities to grow toward their career aspirations. If you are looking for a career change or are interested in learning more, explore our opportunities and benefits programs. We are excited to have you as a part of the City of Baltimore Team! The city offers medical, prescription drug, dental, vision, optional life, AD&D, and FSA plans. This office also supplies wellness programs, support groups, and workshops. You can learn about our benefits here: https://humanresources.baltimorecity.gov/hr-divisions/benefits

The Baltimore City Mayor’s Office of Homeless Services (MOHS) is seeking a dynamic and experienced professional for the Peer Recovery Specialist position within Street Outreach and provides field-based peer recovery support to individuals experiencing unsheltered homelessness who may also be experiencing substance use, mental health, or co-occurring conditions. The position uses lived experience, recovery-oriented practices, and relationship-based engagement to help individuals reduce barriers, access treatment and recovery services, and move toward shelter, housing, health care, and other supportive services. Work involves weekly site visits and other service referral connections. Employees in this class work weekdays; Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m.- 4:30 pm or flexible shifts as needed; occasionally, early morning, evening, weekend, or emergency operations may be required. Work primarily in community and outdoor settings and travel to locations throughout Baltimore City. Work may include walking, standing, climbing stairs, navigating uneven terrain, and working outdoors in varying weather conditions. Work in this position includes no supervisory responsibilities or requirements. This position will report directly to Operations Officer II (Street Outreach Manager).

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Conduct street outreach throughout Baltimore City, including encampments and other locations where individuals experiencing unsheltered homelessness reside, using consistent, person-centered engagement to build trust and encourage service participation.
• Provide peer recovery support to individuals experiencing substance use, mental health, and/or co-occurring conditions.
• Utilize trauma-informed, harm-reduction, motivational, and overdose-prevention support, including overdose-prevention education.
• Connect individuals to substance use, treatment, behavioral health care, medical services, shelter, housing, benefits, and other supportive services, including facilitating warm handoffs whenever possible. including administering Naloxone when appropriate and in accordance with training and agency protocols
• Conduct follow-up after referrals and service connections to address barriers, encourage continued engagement, and support successful connection to treatment and other services.
• Participate in targeted outreach, encampment engagement, 311-related responses, crisis response, and community initiatives, and support the Coordinated Entry Line and Emergency Services operations during Code Red and Code Purple weather activations, as assigned.
• Collaborate with Street Outreach staff, shelters, treatment providers, health care partners, and community organizations; participate in case conferencing, team meetings, training, and recovery-focused activities as needed.
• Maintain accurate and timely documentation of outreach contacts, referrals, follow-up activities, and client outcomes in HMIS and other required MOHS systems, while maintaining confidentiality and appropriate professional boundaries.

Minimum Qualifications

Education: Associate degree in Human Services or a related field from an accredited college or university.

AND

Experience: Experience in social services, supportive housing, homelessness services, or a related setting and at least one year of paid experience providing community-based services, information and referrals, or community engagement. Experience with HMIS or a comparable client record system is preferred

OR

Equivalency Notes: Have an equivalent combination of education and experience. High school diploma or GED and an equivalent combination of relevant education, training, and experience may be considered.

Licenses, Registrations, and Certificates: Have a valid Maryland Class C Noncommercial driver's license or an equivalent driver's license and be eligible to obtain a Baltimore City driver’s permit. PROVISIONAL DRIVER’S LICENSES ARE NOT ACCEPTABLE.

NOTE: YOU MUST UPLOAD A COPY OF YOUR VALID DRIVER’S LICENSE WITH THE APPLICATION AT THE TIME OF APPLYING.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, including active listening and the ability to engage clients, coworkers, treatment providers, and the public professionally and respectfully.
• Ability to recognize signs of distress or crisis and respond appropriately using sound judgment and problem-solving skills.
• Knowledge of peer recovery, substance use, mental health, and recovery-oriented practices.
• Knowledge of community resources and the ability to develop effective relationships with treatment providers and community partners.
• Strong organizational, documentation, and writing skills, with the ability to maintain accurate and timely client records and reports.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, email, and electronic record-management systems.
• Ability to clearly communicate agency programs, services, and information to clients and community partners.
• Valid State of Maryland Driver’s License
• Certified Peer Recovery Specialist (CPRS) credential through the Maryland Addiction and Behavioral-Health Professionals Certification Board (MABPCB) preferred.

Additional Information

Background Check

Eligible candidates under final consideration for appointment to positions identified as positions of trust will be required to complete authorization for a Criminal Background Check and/or Fingerprint screening, and must be successfully completed.

Probation

All persons, including current City employees, selected for this position must complete a 6-month mandatory probation.

Baltimore City Government is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer, and we are committed to a workplace that values diversity, equity, and inclusion. The City of Baltimore prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, age, sex, ancestry, creed, national origin, disability status, genetics, marital status, military service, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. Applicants requiring accommodation during the hiring process should contact the Department of Human Resources directly. Requests for accommodation should not be attached to the application.

BALTIMORE CITY IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER