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 2026466 Number of hours worked per week 40 Work Schedule

Monday-Friday 9:00am-5:30pm with a 30 min meal break.

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 skills and experience.

Job Description

Chesapeake Integrated Behavioral Health (CIBH) is seeking a Peer Recovery Specialist to support peers in their mental health and/or 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 specifically works to support individuals who are in crisis and to help promote post-crisis growth.

The Peer Recovery Specialist operates as part of a comprehensive 24-Hour Emergency Services team by using lived experience with mental illness and/or substance use and recovery to model wellness, recovery, and resiliency.

Typical Tasks:

• Provides crisis support by interacting with peers in crisis.
• Provides information about service options.
• Informs and assists with accessing community resources, services, and benefits.
• Provides post-crisis follow-up to ensure service connection.
• Coordinates transportation as needed for individuals from the hospital emergency department to their apartment, home, or other residential settings to support the resolution of a behavioral health crisis.
• Documents services in the client 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.

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

Posting Detail Information

Job Open Date 10/23/2026 Job Close Date 11/08/2026 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.

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

office equipment, computer, copier, fax, phone, city vehicle

Protective Equipment Required

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

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 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)

Supervisor can assist if needed

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

Applicant Documents

Required Documents

• Resume

Optional Documents

• Cover Letter
• Transcripts
• Letter of Recommendation