Peer Recovery Specialist

Please see Special Instructions for more details. Please specify whether employment was Part Time or Full Time for each job listed on your application and resume. Candidate must be Youth Support Partner trained. Medical Marijuana: In accordance with City policy, this position is deemed safety-sensitive. As such, applicants for this position are subject to pre-employment drug/alcohol testing after receiving a conditional offer of employment and may also be subject to random testing. This drug test includes testing for marijuana. Possession of a medical marijuana card will not excuse an applicant from the testing process; however, a test will not be considered positive for marijuana if a valid medical marijuana certification is presented unless the position requires a commercial driver’s license (CDL) or is a sworn law-enforcement officer/deputy. Position Information Working Title of Vacant Position Job Type Job Type Full Time Posting Type Posting Type Public Number of Vacancies Number of Vacancies 1 Department Department CHES INT BEHAV HEALTHC Division Division CIBH MENTAL HLTH SVC Requisition Number Requisition Number 2026369 Number of hours worked per week Number of hours worked per week 40 Work Schedule Monday – Friday 8:00a.m-4: 30pm with a 30 min lunch. Employees may be expected to work hours in excess of their normally scheduled hours in response to short-term department needs and/or City-wide emergencies. Work Site Location Work Site Location Chesapeake, VA Position Driving Requirement Position Driving Requirement R - Routine Pay Grade Pay Grade GE07 Pay Basis Pay Basis Semi-Monthly Advertised Salary Starting Range: $45,852- $68,205 Actual starting salary depends on experience and qualifications. Job Description This position is located at 369 Battlefield Blvd, Chesapeake, VA. Are you a Certified Peer Recovery Specialist looking for an exciting opportunity to be a part of a new, year-round Recovery School program serving Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Norfolk, Portsmouth and Suffolk Public School students? Harbor Hope Center provides a comprehensive blend of supportive educational and recovery-oriented services in a structured environment to youth who have received treatment for and are in recovery from substance use disorders as they progress towards earning a high school diploma. The Youth Support Partner at the Harbor Hope Center uses their lived experience with mental illness and substance use and recovery to model wellness, recovery and resilience while providing quality, evidenced-based, recovery-oriented supports and related services to students and families. This position is primarily stationed at the Harbor Hope Center and provides direct services to students in the program. This position supports youth in their mental health and substance use recovery by modeling personal responsibility, self-advocacy, and wellness via telling their recovery story; assisting them in identifying personal recovery goals; and developing and utilizing recovery plans with the skills, strengths, supports and resources to aid them in achieving those goals. Youth Support Partners leverage their unique perspectives and experiences to build stronger, more supportive relationships. Please note: The position is funded for five years by a grant, and available for renewal in year five. Typical Tasks: Focuses on engagement in or barriers to resiliency and recovery, return to use prevention, career options, health and wellness and prosocial behaviors, and possible family involvement. Assists individuals in identifying personal recovery goals through the use of individual and group sessions. Provides recovery support with the community treatment team Provides peer services consistent with the Certified Peer Recovery Specialist Code of Ethics and responsibilities Provides community outreach and education on the role of a Youth Support Partner and recovery principles. Provides recovery support during service transitions as youth and young adults move through a treatment continuum or process. The YSP will work to assure seamless transitions that include recovery supports and provide information about additional community-based services. Promotes a social network of support by partnering with agencies, providers, family members and friends if identified by the individual in a wellness or recovery plan. Explores alternatives to reduce substance use or other addictive behaviors as identified by the individual in a wellness or recovery plan. Utilizes domains of wellness to support the individual in self-identified goals specific to recovery which may include health and wellness. Assists individuals in setting up and sustaining self-help (mutual support) groups, as well as means of locating and joining existing groups Completion of professional documentation in a thorough and timely manner. Provides appropriate referrals and correspondence with outside contacts Maintains records for area of responsibility in accordance with departmental, state and federal regulations, laws, policies and procedures; processes daily paperwork including personnel information, service recipients’ progress notes, daily time sheets and service logs Reads, comprehends and adheres to the Corporate Compliance and HIPAA policies and procedures. Reports any violations, inconsistencies or discrepancies with regard to the Corporate Compliance policies and procedures or the HIPAA policies and procedures to the supervisor or appropriate authority. Performs other related duties as assigned. The City of Chesapeake offers an exceptional range of benefits. Please browse our Benefits Brochure, for a full list of benefits and employee perks. Required Qualifications Vocational/Educational Requirement: Requires any combination of education and experience equivalent to an associate’s degree in Psychology, Sociology, or related field. Experience: In addition to satisfying the vocational/education standards, this job class requires a minimum of one year of related, full-time equivalent experience. Special Certifications and Licenses: Must possess a current Certified Peer Recovery Specialist ( CPRS ) certification in the Commonwealth of Virginia and have completed the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services ( DBHDS ) Peer Recovery Specialist Training prior to hire. Must maintain a valid driver’s license and a driving record in compliance with City driving standards . Special Requirement(s): Employees may be expected to work hours in excess of their normally scheduled hours in response to short-term department needs and/or City-wide emergencies. Emergency operations support work and work locations may be outside of normal job duties. Preferred Qualifications The Youth Support Partner ( YSP ) should have lived substance use experience starting in childhood/adolescence, and within the past ten years, with a youth serving system such as behavioral health services, foster care, juvenile justice, or substance use challenges empowering them to assist others facing similar challenges. ***Candidates must be a trained Youth Support Partner to be considered for this role Job Open Date Job Open Date 09/10/2026 Job Close Date Job Close Date 09/24/2026 Open Continuous No Special Instructions to Applicants Please specify whether employment was Part Time or Full Time for each job listed on your application and resume. Candidate must be Youth Support Partner trained. Medical Marijuana: In accordance with City policy, this position is deemed safety-sensitive. As such, applicants for this position are subject to pre-employment drug/alcohol testing after receiving a conditional offer of employment and may also be subject to random testing. This drug test includes testing for marijuana. Possession of a medical marijuana card will not excuse an applicant from the testing process; however, a test will not be considered positive for marijuana if a valid medical marijuana certification is presented unless the position requires a commercial driver’s license (CDL) or is a sworn law-enforcement officer/deputy. ADA Checklist Overall Physical Strength Demands Overall Physical Strength Demands Overall Physical Strength Demands S=Sedentary - Exerting up to 10 lbs. occasionally or small weights frequently; sitting most of the time. Physical Demands C = Continuously- 2/3 or more of the time.F = Frequently- From 1/3 to 2/3 of the time.O = Occasionally- Up to 1/3 of the time.R = Rarely- Less than 1 hour per week.N = Never- Never occurs. Standing Standing Occasionally- Up to 1/3 of the time. Sitting Sitting Frequently- From 1/3 to 2/3 of the time. Walking Walking Occasionally- Up to 1/3 of the time. Lifting Lifting Rarely- Less than 1 hour per week. Lifting Amount Lifting Amount Exerting up to 10 lbs Carrying Carrying Rarely- Less than 1 hour per week. Carrying Weight Carrying Weight Exerting up to 10 lbs Pushing/Pulling Pushing/Pulling Rarely- Less than 1 hour per week. Pushing/Pulling Weight Pushing/Pulling Weight Exerting up to 10 lbs Reaching Reaching Rarely- Less than 1 hour per week. Handling Handling Occasionally- Up to 1/3 of the time. Fine Dexterity Fine Dexterity Occasionally- Up to 1/3 of the time. Kneeling Kneeling Occasionally- Up to 1/3 of the time. Crouching Bending Rarely- Less than 1 hour per week. Twisting Twisting Rarely- Less than 1 hour per week. Climbing Balancing Rarely- Less than 1 hour per week. Vision Vision Continuously- 2/3 or more of the time. Hearing Hearing Continuously- 2/3 or more of the time. Talking Talking Frequently- From 1/3 to 2/3 of the time. Foot Controls Foot Controls Occasionally- Up to 1/3 of the time. Machines, Tools, Equipment and Work Aids Used Office equipment, lap top, cellphone, copier, fax, city vehicle Protective Equipment Required None required Health and Safety D = DailyW = Several Times Per WeekM = Several Times Per MonthS = SeasonallyN = Never Mechanical Hazards Mechanical Hazards N = Never Chemical Hazards Chemical Hazards N = Never Electrical Hazards Electrical Hazards N = Never Fire Hazards Fire Hazards N = Never Explosives Explosives N = Never Communicable Diseases Communicable Diseases S = Seasonally Physical Danger or Abuse Physical Danger or Abuse N = Never Other If Other, Description Dirt and Dust Dirt and Dust N = Never Extreme Temperatures Extreme Temperatures N = Never Noise and Vibration Noise and Vibration N = Never Fumes and Odors Fumes and Odors N = Never Wetness/Humidity Wetness/Humidity N = Never Darkness or Poor Lighting Darkness or Poor Lighting N = Never Primary Work Location Non-Physical Demands C = Continuously- 2/3 or more of the time.F = Frequently- From 1/3 to 2/3 of the time.O = Occasionally- Up to 1/3 of the time.R = Rarely- Less than 1 hour per week.N = Never- Never occurs. Time Pressures Time Pressures Rarely- Less than 1 hour per week. Emergency Situations Emergency Situations Rarely- Less than 1 hour per week. Frequent Change of Tasks Frequent Change of Tasks Occasionally- Up to 1/3 of the time. Irregular Work Schedule/Overtime Irregular Work Schedule/Overtime Rarely- Less than 1 hour per week. Performing Multiple Tasks Simultaneously Performing Multiple Tasks Simultaneously Occasionally- Up to 1/3 of the time. Working Closely with Others as Part of a Team Working Closely with Others as Part of a Team Continuously- 2/3 or more of the time. Tedious or Exacting Work Tedious or Exacting Work Occasionally- Up to 1/3 of the time. Noisy/Distracting Environment Noisy/Distracting Environment Occasionally- Up to 1/3 of the time. Other If Other, Description Can anyone assist the employee in performing the primary tasks assigned to this position? If yes, identify the eligible task(s) Professional References Professional References Please provide contact information for professional references. Minimum Requests 0 Maximum Requests 4 Supplemental Questions Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*). * Have you successfully completed the VA Department of Behavioral Health Developmental Services (DBHDS) 72 hour Peer Recovery Specialist Training? Yes No * Do you possess a valid driver's license and a driving record that is in compliance with the City's Driving Standards? Please review position requirements for details. Yes No #J-18808-Ljbffr