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Peer Support Specialist

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Peer Support Specialist

Salary

$45,255.39 - $75,424.96 Annually

Location

CHANTILLY (BG02), VA

Job Type

FT Hourly W BN

Job Number

25-01447

Department

Community Services Board

Opening Date

08/02/2025

Closing Date

8/15/2025 11:59 PM Eastern

Pay Grade

S15

Posting Type

Open to General Public

+ Description

+ Benefits

+ Questions

Job Announcement

This position supports the efforts of Diversion First within the Jail Diversion Team. You'll be a part of a team of diverse professionals helping individuals who have had contact with the criminal justice system transform their lives and achieve recovery. We strive to create a work environment that facilitates professional growth by broadening your skill base with extensive training and development, modeling best practices in employee relations, employee recognition programs and advancement opportunities along with providing a highly competitive wage and benefits package.

Since 1969, the Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board has served individuals of all ages who have mental illness, substance use disorders, serious emotional and/or developmental disabilities. Our vision, aligned with the goals of One Fairfax (https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/topics/one-fairfax) , is that everyone in our community has the support needed to live a healthy, fulfilling life. Fairfax County is a dynamic and diverse community spanning over 400 square miles. With over 1.2 million residents, Fairfax County is the most populous jurisdiction in Virginia. Operating as part of Fairfax County government's human services system the CSB provides a wide array of services offering opportunities for career growth and advancement.

More information about CSB Services may be found at Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board Community Services Board (https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/community-services-board/) (fairfaxcounty.gov).

Jail Diversion Team:

Operates within a team of professionals who deliver services to individuals receiving behavioral health services in the community with the Jail Diversion team. Delivers peer support services with a recovery focus, and a primary goal of connecting individuals to community-based recovery supports consistent with their recovery plan. People with personal experience as a recipient of mental health and/or substance use treatment or of personal recovery are encouraged to apply. Honesty, respect for diversity, high personal standards, professional language, and behavior reflecting such values are essential. As part of the Jail Diversion team the PRS Coordinates with Probation, the Public Defender's Office, treatment providers and the court. In joining the Jail Diversion program you’ll be a part of a team of diverse professionals helping individuals who have had contact with the criminal justice system transform their lives and achieve recovery.

Must maintain detailed documentation in an Electronic Health Record meeting state, local and federal performance contract and licensing expectations.

A commitment is made to offer scheduling flexibility, as program needs allow.

Here are some of the additional benefits CSB employees enjoy:

+ The population of Fairfax County is very diverse where 39% of residents speak a language other than English at home (Spanish, Asian/Pacific Islander, Indo-European, and others (https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/demographics/fairfax-county-general-overview) ) and CSB recognizes that staff competence speaking a variety of languages is necessary to meet client needs. We encourage candidate’s bilingual in English and a foreign language to apply. A foreign language skills stipend of up to $1,560/year (full-time) may be given for qualified bi-lingual employees.

+ The CSB provides clinical supervision for employees who are registered as licensed eligible mental health in one of the following areas: Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Licensed Professional Counselor, Licensed Clinical Psychologist, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Licensed Substance Abuse Treatment Practitioner or Clinical Nurse Specialist.

To find out more about the benefits of working with Fairfax County Government, please visit the CSB Careers Page (https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/community-services-board/careers) .

Note: To learn more about careers that make a difference, watch our video "CSB Celebrates 50th Anniversary of Providing Care."

Illustrative Duties

(The illustrative duties listed in this specification are representative of the class but are not an all-inclusive list. A complete list of position duties and unique physical requirements can be found in the position job description.)

+ Facilitates wellness and recovery groups and teaches recovery principles one on one;

+ Assists individuals to fully participate in the communities where they live and work by orienting individuals to community resources, educating how to access, and advocating for increased opportunities for involvement;

+ Coaches individuals in developing wellness and recovery plans, following through with those plans, and overcoming obstacles.

+ Facilitates communication and understanding between recipients and providers of services so that providers make better informed recommendations and recipients make better informed choices;

+ Explains services and procedures to individuals being served, and anyone they want to be involved for their support, so they know what to expect;

+ Assists individuals to articulate their needs and concerns to providers;

+ Provides a welcoming and supportive atmosphere for individuals receiving services;

+ Serves as advocate and liaison between individuals, families, clinical professionals, physicians, and others involved in the individual’s recovery;

+ Assists other staff with supporting those being served and reviewing their progress and consults as necessary when individuals are in psychiatric crisis or appear to be at risk.

Required Knowledge Skills and Abilities

(The knowledge, skills and abilities listed in this specification are representative of the class but are not an all-inclusive list.)

+ Ability to use one's lived personal experience of mental illness and/or substance use experience with accessing different levels of care;

+ Ability to use one's lived experience to further healthy, positive interactions with service recipients at differing levels of engagement and stages of change

+ Knowledge of the principles, process and components of wellness and recovery;

+ Knowledge of ethics and boundaries as they relate to the peer specialist practice;

+ Knowledge of human services available from public, private and volunteer organizations;

+ Ability to establish rapport and maintain effective relationships and boundaries with individuals receiving services, staff, and the general public;

+ Ability to retrieve, compose and save progress notes into the electronic health record;

+ Ability to maintain confidentiality of clinical, medical, and other sensitive records;

+ Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.

Employment Standards

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Graduation from high school or a GED issued by a state department of education; plus 4 months of experience in providing peer/recovery support services.

CERTIFICATES AND LICENSES REQUIRED:

+ Registered Peer Recovery Specialist (RPRS) with the Virginia Department of Health Professions (DHP) within six months of employment.

+ Valid Motor Vehicle Driver's license with fewer than six demerit points (or equivalent in another state) maintained throughout employment.

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

+ The appointee to this position will be required to complete a criminal background check, a Child Protective Services Registry check, a driving record check, and sanction screening to the satisfaction of the employer. A TB screening upon hire and annually thereafter.

+ This position is emergency/essential services personnel. (Required to report for duty during inclement weather and/or other emergencies.)

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

+ At least 1 years of experience providing peer support services in similar settings

+ Current Registration (RPRS) as a Peer Recovery Specialist in Virginia

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Ability to observe/monitor/document client behavior, climb stairs, lift up to 20 lbs. Ability to participate in recreational activities, review/write notes in records, and use computer. All duties performed with or without reasonable accommodations.

SELECTION PROCEDURE:

Panel interview and may include a practical exercise.

Fairfax County Government prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, age, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetics, political affiliation, or military status in the recruitment, selection, and hiring of its workforce.

Reasonable accommodations are available to persons with disabilities during application and/or interview processes per the Americans with Disabilities Act. TTY 703-222-7314. [email protected] EEO/AA/TTY.

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