Peer Recovery Specialist (Youth Support Partner/YSP) - BFOQ (re-ad 26-00622)

PLEASE NOTE: BFOQ – AGE: Must be between 18 and 29 years of age to qualify for this position.

Who We Are:
Mental Health Support Services (MHSS) is the provider of mental health, developmental disabilities, and substance use disorder services for children and adults in Chesterfield County. Join us! The Child & Adolescent Services Team (CAST) is seeking a Peer Recovery Specialist (Youth Support Partner/YSP). This position will provide support to the youth in our Child and Adolescent Program. The Peer Recovery Specialist (YSP) will have lived experience in the behavioral health system. This position will work alongside case managers and clinicians in order to support the youth. CAST is a fun-loving and energetic team that highly values continuing professional growth, self-care, and a supportive work environment.
 
Minimum Education and Experience:
High school diploma or GED (bachelor's degree in human services or related field preferred); completion of the Certified Peer Recovery Specialist (CPRS) training curriculum, a mandatory prerequisite for the CPRS certification, through the Virginia Certification Board (VCB); one year of experience in providing peer/recovery support services or in related behavioral health work; or an equivalent combination of training and experience. Bachelor's degree or training as a peer advocate preferred. Current Peer Recovery Specialist Certification or certification eligibility preferred. Full-sustained recovery from all substances for a minimum of two years preferred.
 
Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Working knowledge of assessment, diagnosis and treatment of mental illness. Ability to support others in recovery and demonstrate efforts at self-directed recovery; to effectively represent and advocate for the consumer perspective within the community and the mental health system; to operate a personal computer and related software and other standard office equipment; to communicate effectively orally and in writing; to develop and maintain effective working relationships with internal and external customers.
 
Additional Requirements:

• Completion of the 72-hour training course for Peer Recovery Specialists.

• Must be a self-identified current or former recipient of mental health services for a severe and persistent mental illness. 

Pre-employment drug testing, FBI criminal background check and education/degree verification required.

This position is considered Safety Sensitive and is subject to random drug and alcohol testing.

Duties include but are not limited to the following:

 • Provides individual direct peer support services to youth in CAST;
 • Coordinates services with, and makes referrals to, other appropriate community programs and resources as needed;
 • Provides guidance and support for educational/emotional issues;
 • Participates in developing and implementing behavior management programs including behavior management recording systems, behavior contracts and action plans with students;
 • Develops peer programming activities that help potential CAST clients see the possibility of successful recovery and wellness;
 • Promotes and provides training/consultation opportunities to CAST staff to increase knowledge of peer services and roles;
 • Counsels and instructs individuals with severe and persistent mental illness in self-advocacy, behavioral symptom management techniques, basic living skills, recovery, and medication management;
 • Assists consumers in developing personal recovery and wellness goals, and models/mentors recovery process and demonstrates coping skills;
 • Serves as a recovery agent by providing and advocating for effective recovery-based services; assists consumers in accessing services by educating about community and natural supports and how to utilize these in the recovery process;
 • Monitors and assesses consumer progress and makes recommendations or modifications to treatment plan
 • Functions as a part of a multidisciplinary team to review cases, treatment approaches, clinical issues, client progress and treatment recommendations, and to promote a recovery perspective;
 • Prepares and maintains casework documentation as required in the delivery of services (e.g. case histories, assessments, treatment plans, progress notes, correspondence), and
 • Performs other work as required.

PLEASE NOTE: Previous applicants do not need to re-apply. Applications will remain under consideration until position is filled.

Monday - Friday; 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.; 4 hours required after 5:00 p.m. on occasion

Mental Health Support Services

Chesterfield County is an Equal Opportunity Employer Committed to Workforce Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion