Job Description

Posting number: 26-01422

Department: Community Services Board

Job classification: PEER RECOVERY SPECIALIST II

Posting type: Open

Categories: Mental Health

Summary

This position delivers services in the Striving to Achieve Recovery (STAR) program within the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center (ADC). STAR is a peer-centered program that engages individuals with groups, activities, and individual peer support, with programming primarily delivered in a specialized men’s housing unit in the ADC. You will join a dynamic peer recovery specialist team all dedicated to supporting individuals to make meaningful and lasting change. There is close collaboration with Sheriff’s Office staff, including sworn deputies and civilians. This position facilitates multiple groups per week on a wide variety of recovery topics and activities, and provides 1 on 1 peer recovery services. This includes support in recovery planning, building recovery capital, learning accountability, problem-solving challenging relationships, and learning a new way of living.

While primarily providing services in the STAR housing unit, this position may facilitate groups or provide individual peer support to other populations housed in the ADC.

• This position is eligible for an additional annual environmental bonus of $5,408 for full-time positions.

More information about CSB Services may be found at Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board Community Services Board (fairfaxcounty.gov).

Fairfax County is home to a highly diverse population, with a significant number of residents speaking languages other than English at home — including Spanish, Asian/Pacific Islander, Indo-European, and many others. We encourage candidates who are bilingual in English and another language to apply for this opportunity. A foreign language skills stipend of up to $1600/year (full-time) may be given for qualified bi-lingual employees.

We strive to create a work environment that facilitates professional growth by broadening your skill base with extensive training and development, modeling best practices in employee relations, employee recognition programs and advancement opportunities along with providing a highly competitive wage and benefits package. Since 1969, the Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board Community Services Board has served individuals of all ages who have mental illness, substance use disorders, serious emotional and/or developmental disabilities. Our vision, aligned with the goals of One Fairfax, is that everyone in our community has the support needed to live a healthy, fulfilling life. Fairfax County is a dynamic and diverse community spanning over 400 square miles. With over 1.2 million residents, Fairfax County is the most populous jurisdiction in Virginia. Operating as part of Fairfax County government's human services system the CSB provides a wide array of services offering opportunities for career growth and advancement.

Note: To learn more about careers that make a difference, watch our video "CSB Celebrates 50th Anniversary of Providing Care

Examples of duties

(The illustrative duties listed in this specification are representative of the class but are not an all-inclusive list. A complete list of position duties and unique physical requirements can be found in the position job description.)

• Leads, facilitates, or co-facilitates peer support groups or other education or support groups with a wellness or recovery focus, including preparing materials and developing curriculum;
• Assists individuals served in developing a self-directed recovery plan, (including Medicaid billable Recovery, Resiliency, and Wellness (RRW) plans) and enacting their plans;
• May collaborate with other service providers including Case Managers, Therapists, Nurses, Psychiatrists, and other partners;
• Service locations are varied and may include outpatient program sites, crisis programs, residential treatment programs, in the community, telehealth, and justice system settings;
• Provides navigation services for individuals, families, and other concerned persons, identifying and linking them to community resources that support the individual’s goals and interests, including navigating crisis systems of care;
• Collaborates as needed with other health care providers in providing coordinated services;
• Conducts outreach and engagement activities to connect with individuals that may benefit from behavioral health services;
• Provides follow-up support after mental health and/or substance use emergencies, assisting individuals to learn skills, access resources, and receive emotional support to avoid future crises.

Qualifications

(The knowledge, skills and abilities listed in this specification are representative of the class but are not an all-inclusive list.)

• Knowledge of the principles, theories, and methods of peer recovery services;
• Knowledge of local resources, services, and support in the community relevant to the population;
• Knowledge of wellness and recovery terminology, theories, and best practices;
• Knowledge of basic clinical psychological, physiological and psychiatric terminology, theories, and practices;
• Ability to effectively relate one’s own lived experiences of wellness and recovery;
• Ability to provide one-on-one peer recovery services;
• Ability to provide group peer recovery services;
• Ability to establish rapport and maintain effective relationships with individuals served;
• Ability to facilitate development of wellness, recovery, and resiliency plans;
• Ability to assist individuals to access supports and services needed for recovery;
• Ability to collaborate with other behavioral health professionals;
• Ability to manage a caseload;
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing, including consistent use of recovery-oriented language;
• Ability to maintain records and use evaluation and survey tools;
• Ability to recognize signs of distress and threats to safety in individuals served and in the environment;
• Ability to take appropriate action, consistent with scope of practice, to address distress and crisis.

Supplemental information

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Any combination of education, experience, and training equivalent to the following:(Click on the aforementioned link to learn how Fairfax County interprets equivalencies for “Any combination, experience, and training equivalent to”)

Graduation from high school or a GED issued by a state department of education; plus, any combination of education and experience equivalent to 1 year of Human Services experience.

CERTIFICATES AND LICENSES REQUIRED:

• Virginia Certified Peer Recovery Specialist (CPRS) through the Virginia Certification Board, or peer recovery certification by a member board of IC&RC through another state, or National Certified Peer Recovery Support Specialist (NCPRSS) through NAADAC - within six months of hire.
• Registered Peer Recovery Specialist (RPRS) through the Virginia Board of Counseling within 1 year of hire.
• Integrated Forensic Peer Recovery (IFPRS) certification within 1 year of employment.

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

• The appointee to this position will be required to complete a criminal background check, a Child Protective Services Registry check, and sanction screening to the satisfaction of the employer. A TB screening upon hire and annually thereafter.
• This position is emergency/essential services personnel. (Required to report for duty during inclement weather and/or other emergencies.)

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Current certification as a Certified Peer Support Specialist (CPRS) or a Registered Peer Recovery Specialist (RPRS) within the Commonwealth of Virginia.
• Forensic Peer Support Specialist Certification (IFPRS).
• 2+ years using lived experience and recovery journey to help individuals in their recovery from substance use challenges.
• Experience providing direct peer support services to adults with mental health and substance use challenges.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Ability to observe/monitor/document client behavior, climb stairs, lift up to 20 lbs., participate in recreational activities, navigate hallways, room, stairs, and other spaces at Adult Detention Center, review/write notes in records and use computer. All duties performed with or without reasonable accommodations.

SELECTION PROCEDURE:

Panel interview and may include a practical exercise.

Fairfax County Government prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, age, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetics, political affiliation, or military status in the recruitment, selection, and hiring of its workforce.

Reasonable accommodations are available to persons with disabilities during application and/or interview processes per the Americans with Disabilities Act. TTY 703-222-7314. DHREmployment@fairfaxcounty.gov EEO/AA/TTY.

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