PEER RECOVERY COACH

GRADE: 8

JOB TYPE: Full-Time

LOCATION: Martinsburg, WV

FLSA STATUS: Non-Exempt

DEPARTMENT: Day Report Center

REPORTS TO: Director of Community Corrections

• Starting Salary/Compensation is commensurate with education and experience

KIND OF WORK:
Recovery is a process of change whereby individuals work to improve their own health and wellness and to live a meaningful life in a community of their choice while striving to achieve their full potential. The Peer Recovery Coach plays an active role in the provision of strength-based support for people seeking recovery from substance and/or alcohol addictions. Peer coaching is a partnership where the person working towards recovery self directs his/her recovery approach while the coach provides expertise in supporting successful change. Peer Coaching, a peer-to-peer service, is provided by persons with lived experience managing their own behavioral health challenges, who are in recovery themselves and as a result have gained knowledge on how to attain and sustain recovery.

EXAMPLES OF WORK:

• Provide ongoing supervision and rehabilitative services to an assigned caseload of 25-30 clients.
• Provides informal counseling to clients.
• Introduces clients to the recovery community.
• Assist clients with developing WRAP (Wellness and Recovery Action Plan) Plans.
• Provides transportation to and from recovery meetings in the community.
• Facilitates Peer Recovery, 12 Step Facilitation, and Drug and Alcohol Education Groups.
• Initiate and sustain clients in recovery from substance use disorders and/or co-occurring behavioral health disorders.
• Promote individuals in recovery by acting as a guide/mentor for overcoming personal and environmental obstacles that jeopardize recovery.
• Help clients discover, access, and utilize ways to remain substance free or reduce harm associated with substance use behaviors.
• Assist clients with developing support systems within the community.
• Assist clients with basic needs met; housing and food assistance, insurance/healthcare, vocational support, and training, etc.
• Prepare reports, correspondence, and documents.
• Transport clients using County vehicles.
• Performs related work as required.

QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS:

• High School Diploma or equivalent.
• Must be in recovery for a minimum of 3 years to be considered for Peer Recovery Coach.
• Must be free of all life controlling problems/addictions including but not limited to: Drugs, alcohol, gambling, sex, pornography, etc.
• Must be actively involved with a personal support/recovery system of their choosing.
• Must have no legal involvement within the last 6 months.
• Must have no intensive behavioral health treatment involvement within the last 6 months.
• Must be willing to begin process of obtaining PRSS Certification.
• Possesses knowledge of principles of DRC, court system, criminal justice, counseling, adult education, and vocational education, as well as probation, parole and corrections work.
• Possesses knowledge of state laws, rules, and cases affecting probation, parole, and corrections.
• Possesses knowledge of local community structure and resources.
• Ability to work within the community and to use available resources.
• Ability to maintain records, make oral and written reports.
• Skilled in Motivational Interviewing techniques and knowledge of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy model.
• Computer skills, including but not limited to Microsoft Word and Excel.
• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
This is sedentary work requiring the exertion of up to 10 pounds of force occasionally, and a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to move objects; work requires climbing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, standing, walking, fingering, and repetitive motions; vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word; hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels; visual acuity is required for preparing and analyzing written or computer data, visual inspection involving small defects and/or small parts, use of measuring devices, operation of motor vehicles or equipment, determining the accuracy and thoroughness of work, and observing general surroundings and activities; the worker is subject to inside and outside environmental conditions.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Possession of a valid driver’s license.
• Special interest in and enthusiasm towards helping individuals overcome their addiction problems.
• May be required to work evenings and Saturday morning.
• Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential tasks.

EQUAL OPOPORTUNITY EMPLOYER:
The Berkeley County Commission provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.