Peer Recovery Specialist

Position Details

Position Information

Working Title of Vacant Position Peer Recovery Specialist Job Type Full Time Posting Type Public Number of Vacancies 1 Department CHES INT BEHAV HEALTHC Division CIBH MENTAL HLTH SVC Requisition Number 2026363 Number of hours worked per week 40 Work Schedule

Monday-Friday 8:00 am-4:30 pm with a 30-minute lunch.

• Occasional weekend and evening hours will be required.

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 Chesapeake, VA Position Driving Requirement R - Routine Pay Grade GE07 Pay Basis Semi-Monthly Advertised Salary

Starting Range: $45,852 - $68,205

Actual starting salary depends on credentials and experience

Job Description

Are you a compassionate and caring individual interested in using your lived experience with mental illness and/or substance use and recovery to model wellness, recovery, and resiliency as a Peer Recovery Specialist?

Chesapeake Integrated Behavioral Health (CIBH) is seeking a substance use or co-occurring Peer Recovery Specialist to support peers in their mental health and substance use recovery by modeling personal responsibility, self-advocacy, and wellness via telling your 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. This position will include being part of the mobile PEAKE Team who work off of a 34-foot RV out in the community providing overdose prevention and response education and resources, as well as peer support. Part of being on the PEAKE Team includes the responsibility of being trained to both operate and drive the RV.

TYPICAL TASKS

• Assist individuals in identifying personal recovery goals through use of individual and group sessions.
• Support individuals as they create goals; develop recovery plans with the skills, strengths, supports, and resources to aid them in achieving those goals
• Teach/train recovery information and recovery tools to assist individuals in developing individualized wellness and recovery plans.
• Model personal responsibility, self-advocacy, and wellness via telling of their own recovery story
• Support individuals' vocational choices and assist them in choosing a job that matches their strengths, overcoming job-related anxiety by reviewing job applications, and providing interview tips and resume assistance
• Assist individuals with obtaining services that meet their identified needs, desires, and recovery goals, assist them with accessing community resources and identifying natural supports, setting up and sustaining self-help (mutual support) groups, as well as means of locating and joining existing groups
• Facilitate and/or co-facilitate peer lead groups, engage in trainings and additional workgroups/coalitions as appropriate
• Work as part of the mobile PEAKE Team out in the community providing overdose prevention and response education and resources, peer support for individuals using drugs and work with community partners to expand community outreach
• Collaborate regularly with treatment team members, other services providers, and significant others as necessary
• Maintain accurate Medicaid standard case files consistent with agency guidelines and licensure standards and complete clinical documentation in agencies electronic health record.
• 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.

#PeerRecoverySpecialist

#RecoverySupport

#PeerSupport

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

Candidates MUST have completed the DBHDS 72 hr Peer Recovery Course AND hold a valid Virginia Peer Recovery Specialist Certification

Posting Detail Information

Job Open Date 07/27/2026 Job Close Date 08/10/2026 Open Continuous No Special Instructions to Applicants

Please ensure that all employment entries listed on the application and resume are indicated as either Full or Part time.

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 L=Light - Exerting up to 20 lbs. occasionally, 10 lbs. frequently, or negligible amounts constantly OR requires walking or standing to a significant degree.

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 Occasionally- Up to 1/3 of the time. Sitting Occasionally- Up to 1/3 of the time. Walking Occasionally- Up to 1/3 of the time. Lifting Rarely- Less than 1 hour per week. Lifting Amount Exerting up to 20 lbs Carrying Rarely- Less than 1 hour per week. Carrying Weight Exerting up to 10 lbs Pushing/Pulling Rarely- Less than 1 hour per week. Pushing/Pulling Weight Exerting up to 20 lbs Reaching Occasionally- Up to 1/3 of the time. Handling Frequently- From 1/3 to 2/3 of the time. Fine Dexterity Continuously- 2/3 or more of the time. Kneeling Rarely- Less than 1 hour per week. Crouching Never- Never occurs. Crawling Never- Never occurs. Bending Rarely- Less than 1 hour per week. Twisting Rarely- Less than 1 hour per week. Climbing Never- Never occurs. Balancing Rarely- Less than 1 hour per week. Vision Continuously- 2/3 or more of the time. Hearing Continuously- 2/3 or more of the time. Talking Frequently- From 1/3 to 2/3 of the time. Foot Controls Occasionally- Up to 1/3 of the time. Machines, Tools, Equipment and Work Aids Used

office equipment: laptop, cellphone, fax, copier, city vehicle, RV

Protective Equipment Required

gloves, face mask (optional)

Health and Safety

D = Daily W = Several Times Per Week M = Several Times Per Month S = Seasonally N = Never

Mechanical Hazards N = Never Chemical Hazards N = Never Electrical Hazards N = Never Fire Hazards N = Never Explosives N = Never Communicable Diseases S = Seasonally Physical Danger or Abuse S = Seasonally Other If Other, Description

Environmental Factors

D = Daily W = Several Times Per Week M = Several Times Per Month S = Seasonally N = Never

Dirt and Dust S = Seasonally Extreme Temperatures N = Never Noise and Vibration N = Never Fumes and Odors N = Never Wetness/Humidity N = Never Darkness or Poor Lighting N = Never Primary Work Location Office Environment, Vehicle

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 Occasionally- Up to 1/3 of the time. Emergency Situations Rarely- Less than 1 hour per week. Frequent Change of Tasks Occasionally- Up to 1/3 of the time. Irregular Work Schedule/Overtime Rarely- Less than 1 hour per week. Performing Multiple Tasks Simultaneously Occasionally- Up to 1/3 of the time. Working Closely with Others as Part of a Team Continuously- 2/3 or more of the time. Tedious or Exacting Work Occasionally- Up to 1/3 of the time. Noisy/Distracting Environment Rarely- Less than 1 hour per week. 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)

Other Peers, Supervisor

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 (*).

• • 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

• • Have you successfully completed the VA Department of Behavioral Health Developmental Services (DBHDS) 72 hour Peer Recovery Specialist Training?

• Yes

• No

Applicant Documents

Required Documents

Optional Documents

• Resume
• Transcripts