Community Services Aide III, Grade 18

Please note:The salary range above represents this position’s earning potential. The anticipated hiring range for this position will be$64,104 to $90,791,based on the candidate’s qualifications and experience.

WHO WE ARE

Montgomery County is located adjacent to Washington, D.C., and with over one million residents, is the most populous County in the State of Maryland. The County is also the most diverse County in the State and ranks among the top ten most diverse Counties in the nation. Montgomery County contains many major U.S. government offices, scientific research and learning centers, and business campuses.

The Department of Health and Human Services is responsible for delivery of the County’s public health and human services that meets the needs of our community’s most vulnerable children, adults and seniors. The Department provides services through more than 120 programs at more than 20 locations. With over 2,000 employees, the Department of Health and Human Services is the largest County Department.

As a department, we believe the health and wellness of the county can only be achieved by ensuring that every resident has fair opportunities to reach their fullest potential. This means access to quality housing, transportation, education, employment, health care, human services, safe neighborhoods, and healthy food. HHS provides critical services for residents who face a variety of obstacles in achieving their full potential. HHS plays an essential role in building a healthy and strong community.

WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR

Behavioral Health and Crisis Services (BHCS) is seeking a compassionate and dedicated Community Service Aide III (Peer Recovery Specialist) to join the Diversion/Behavioral Health Crisis Stabilization Center team. This role supports individuals experiencing mental health, substance use, or co-occurring concerns by offering person-centered, recovery-oriented services that foster stability, empowerment, and community connection.

• Provide peer recovery support, encouragement, and mentoring using lived experience and recovery principles.
• Assist individuals in identifying strengths, creating recovery goals, and developing wellness plans.
• Conduct case management activities including referrals, applications, appointment coordination, and follow-up.

• Support individuals experiencing agitation or behavioral health crises through trauma-informed communication and verbal de-escalation.
• Collaborate with internal staff, external providers, families, and partners to coordinate services and advocate for client needs.
• Maintain accurate documentation in accordance with COMAR, DHHS procedures, and confidentiality standards.
• Participate in required training, ongoing professional development, and maintenance of peer certification where applicable.
• This position is considered essential personnel for the Department of Health and Human Services during county emergencies.

This position will travel throughout the County to perform job duties. Physical demands may include long periods of standing; sitting for prolonged periods at a desk or workstation; steadying clients and helping them walk; kneeling, bending and stretching to access files; finger manipulation to record, retrieve and use data; and the physical demands of eye/hand/foot coordination.

The individual selected for this position will be considered an Essential Employee. Essential employees must report to work during a period of general emergency or liberal leave.

The selected candidate will be required to successfully complete a pre-employment background check, medical exam, and drug screening.

Experience:

Three (3) years of experience providing delivery of social, health and/or public assistance services.

Education:

Completion of high school or High School Certificate of completion recognized in the State of Maryland.

Equivalency:

An equivalent combination of education and experience may be substituted.

The applications of those individuals meeting the minimum qualifications will be reviewed to determine the extent, relevance of training, and experience in the following areas:

• Experience providing peer support to individuals with mental health and/or substance use disorders.
• Experience working in crisis settings or with individuals experiencing acute emotional distress.

• Experience navigating behavioral health, housing, medical, or social service systems.
• Multilingual preferred basic level Amharic, Spanish and Vietnamese
• Certified Peer Recovery Specialist