Peer Support Specialist

Position Description

If you’re looking to be a part of a collaborative environment where your skills can make an impact, explore our current opportunities in creating a better future for public health.

About Harris County Public Health:

Harris County Public Health (HCPH) includes a network of more than 1,100 public health professionals working together to improve health outcomes for the third most populous county in the United States. HCPH provides a multitude of services such as medical and dental services, community programming, and health education for the approximately 2.3 million people in unincorporated Harris County. Through its core values of innovation, engagement, and health equity, HCPH strives to bring meaningful solutions to public health issues while keeping Harris County healthy and vibrant.

This is a grant funded position

Position Overview:

Under the supervision of the Cohort Manager and Senior Program Manager, this role involves helping individuals navigate recovery from substance use disorders (SUD), offering support, education, and connections to critical resources that empower long-term wellness and recovery.

Duties & Responsibilities:

• Developing Personalized Recovery Goals: Work closely with clients to set achievable, personalized substance use prevention, reduction, and recovery goals, empowering clients to make positive, lasting changes in their lives.
• Harm Reduction Outreach and Collaboration: Partner with local community organizations, law enforcement, and other stakeholders to expand access to harm reduction resources and recovery services such as opioid education, overdose prevention training, and distribution of Naloxone (Narcan).
• Client Advocacy & Ongoing Support: Be a fierce advocate for participants, ensuring they receive the support needed to stay engaged in recovery. Provide ongoing encouragement, resources, and guidance to help participants overcome obstacles and thrive in their recovery journey.
• Connecting Clients to Supportive Services: Connect individuals to the right behavioral health services, social supports, and SUD treatment programs.
• Mental Health & Crisis Support: Screen clients for co-occurring mental health disorders and suicide risk. When necessary, provide referrals for crisis intervention and mental health care.
  
  
  

Harris County is an Equal Opportunity Employer

https://hrrm.harriscountytx.gov/Pages/EqualEmploymentOpportunityPlan.aspx

If you need special services or accommodations, please call (713) 274-5445 or email ADACoordinator@bmd.hctx.net .

This position is subject to a criminal history check. Only relevant convictions will be considered and, even when considered, may not automatically disqualify the candidate.

Requirements

Education:

• High school diploma or equivalent.
  
  
  

Licenses:

• Current valid certification issued and recognized by the Texas Certification Board (TCB) as a Peer Recovery Support Specialist (PRSS), Peer Recovery Specialist (PRS), Internationally Certified Peer Recovery (ICPR), Re-Entry Peer Specialist (JI-RPS), or Recovery Support Peer Specialist (RSPS).
• Valid Texas Driver's License.
  
  
  

Experience:

• Lived experience with recovery from addiction, mental illness, poverty.
• At least one (1) year of substance use services, advocacy, mentoring, and/or education experience.
  
  
  

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Proficient in the use of laptop, tablet, and cellphone along with Microsoft Office Suite software.
• Understanding of and compassionate, non-judgmental attitude toward substance use disorders, harm reduction strategies, and mental health care.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage clients and collaborate with community partners.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team, maintaining confidentiality and adhering to professional ethical standards.
  
  
  

Core Competencies:

• Understands the organizational mission.
• Understands ethics and public good; is concerned with public trust.
• Demonstrates respect for the opinions and beliefs of others.
  
  
  

Collaboration

• Contributes to an inclusive workplace where equity, diversity, inclusion, and individual differences are valued and leveraged to achieve the vision and mission.
• Demonstrates a sense of responsibility for the success of the group.
• Collaborates with others to improve quality and address needs.
  
  
  

Innovation

• Ability to adapt to change.
  
  
  

Interpersonal Abilities/Personal Characteristics

• Treats others with courtesy, sensitivity, and respect
• Behaves in an honest, fair, and ethical manner and models high standards
• Assesses and recognizes own strengths and weaknesses
• Uses sound judgment.
• Self-motivated.
• Organizes and maintains work environment to allow for maximum productivity.
  
  
  

Communication

• Communicates clearly, effectively, and persuasively both orally and in writing.
  
  
  

NOTE: Qualifying education, experience, knowledge, and skills must be documented on your job application. You may attach a resume to the application as supporting documentation but ONLY information stated on the application will be used for consideration. "See Resume" will not be accepted for qualifications .

Preferences

N/A

General Information

Position Type, and Typical Hours of Work:

• This is a Grant Funded - Full Time position.
• Days and hours of work are typically Monday through Friday, from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm.
• Other days and hours as necessary, including weekends and evenings.
• This position is required to travel across the County.
  
  
  

Work Environment:

• This position may be required to work outside of normal business hours (evenings and weekends) and in various settings, including participants' homes, community outreach locations, and office environments. Travel will be required for outreach efforts, transporting and meeting with participants, as well as training.
  
  
  

Physical Demands:

• Frequently required to sit or stand, use manual dexterity, speak, listen, hear, and write. Ability to walk 30-40 blocks or more on a regular basis. May occasionally lift and move up to 25 pounds and occasionally lift to 50 pounds.
  
  
  

Work Location:

• Harris County Public Health: Health Prevention & Coordinated Care - 1111 Fannin St. Houston, Texas. 77002.
  
  
  

Employment may be contingent on passing a drug screen and meeting other standards.

Due to a high volume of applications positions may close prior to the advertised closing date or at the discretion of the Hiring Department.