Peer Recovery Specialist II - Youth & Family
Salary
$46,160.40 - $80,780.75 Annually
Location
MERRIFIELD CENTER, 8221 WILLOW OAKS CORPORATE DR., FAIRFAX (HH12), VA
Job Type
FT Hourly W BN
Job Number
26-01508
Department
Community Services Board
Opening Date
10/03/2026
Closing Date
10/16/2026 11:59 PM Eastern
Pay Grade
S15
Posting Type
Open to General Public
- Description
- Benefits
- Questions
Job Announcement
This position works within our Youth & Family Division will use recovery focused approaches to engage youth and young adults in the community following emergency response to a substance-related crisis, with priority response given to those who have overdosed on opiates.
Duties include:
- Provides peer-to-peer recovery-based psychoeducation, linkage, and referrals to supportive services in the community, supports informed decision-making, and advocates for individual choice.
- Utilizes their lived experienced and own recovery journey to help engage and motivate individuals to explore avenues of change.
- Provides support during service transitions as youth and young adults move through a treatment continuum or process. This includes an individual exiting the emergency department to a treatment program or crisis care or another program.
- Provides one-on-one peer support, navigating to services, facilitating support groups, connecting youth and young adults to resources supporting recovery. Assist with the development and implementation of recovery plans.
- Provides peer support services to individuals with Opioid Use disorder participating in our OBAT program.
Here are some of additional benefits CSB employees enjoy:
- Fairfax County is home to a highly diverse population, with a significant number of residents speaking languages other than English at home - including Spanish, Asian/Pacific Islander, Indo-European, and many others. We encourage candidates who are bilingual in English and another language to apply for this opportunity. A foreign language skills stipend of up to $1600/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.
- License/Certification Reimbursement - Reimbursement for job related licenses and/or certifications once per year.
- To find out more about the benefits of working with Fairfax County Government, please visit the CSB Careers Page.
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.)
- Leads, facilitates, or co-facilitates peer support groups or other education or support groups with a wellness or recovery focus, including preparing materials and developing curriculum;
- Assists individuals served in developing a self-directed recovery plan, (including Medicaid billable Recovery, Resiliency, and Wellness (RRW) plans) and enacting their plans;
- May collaborate with other service providers including Case Managers, Therapists, Nurses, Psychiatrists, and other partners;
- Service locations are varied and may include outpatient program sites, crisis programs, residential treatment programs, in the community, telehealth, and justice system settings;
- Provides navigation services for individuals, families, and other concerned persons, identifying and linking them to community resources that support the individual's goals and interests, including navigating crisis systems of care;
- Collaborates as needed with other health care providers in providing coordinated services;
- Conducts outreach and engagement activities to connect with individuals that may benefit from behavioral health services;
- Provides follow-up support after mental health and/or substance use emergencies, assisting individuals to learn skills, access resources, and receive emotional support to avoid future crises.
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.)
- Knowledge of the principles, theories, and methods of peer recovery services;
- Knowledge of local resources, services, and support in the community relevant to the population;
- Knowledge of wellness and recovery terminology, theories, and best practices;
- Knowledge of basic clinical psychological, physiological and psychiatric terminology, theories, and practices;
- Ability to effectively relate one's own lived experiences of wellness and recovery;
- Ability to provide one-on-one peer recovery services;
- Ability to provide group peer recovery services;
- Ability to establish rapport and maintain effective relationships with individuals served;
- Ability to facilitate development of wellness, recovery, and resiliency plans;
- Ability to assist individuals to access supports and services needed for recovery;
- Ability to collaborate with other behavioral health professionals;
- Ability to manage a caseload;
- Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing, including consistent use of recovery-oriented language;
- Ability to maintain records and use evaluation and survey tools;
- Ability to recognize signs of distress and threats to safety in individuals served and in the environment;
- Ability to take appropriate action, consistent with scope of practice, to address distress and crisis.
Employment Standards
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Any combination of education, experience, and training equivalent to the following:(Click on the aforementioned link to learn how Fairfax County interprets equivalencies for "Any combination, experience, and training equivalent to")
Graduation from high school or a GED issued by a state department of education; plus, any combination of education and experience equivalent to 1 year of Human Services experience.
CERTIFICATES AND LICENSES REQUIRED:
- Virginia Certified Peer Recovery Specialist (CPRS) through the Virginia Certification Board, or peer recovery certification by a member board of IC&RC through another state, or National Certified Peer Recovery Support Specialist (NCPRSS) through NAADAC within 6 months of hire.
- Registered Peer Recovery Specialist (RPRS) through the Virginia Board of Counseling within 1 year.
- Valid Motor Vehicle Drivers 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.
Additional Work Schedule Requirements: Some evenings until 8:00 pm and occasional weekend work as necessary.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Registration as a Virginia State Certified Peer Recovery Specialist
- Three or more years of experience working as a Peer Specialist within an acute care setting
- Experience working with individuals with an opiate use diagnosis
- Experience using electronic records to input data and documentation
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
Job is located in non-traditional office settings in the community. Must be able to drive to other locations for services and meetings. Ability to lift up to 15 lbs. Ability to observe, process, and document clinical information and execute appropriate support. Ability to read data on computer monitor; operate keyboard driven equipment; and input, access, and retrieve information from a computer. Ability to observe clients symptoms, and communicate complex information by phone, in writing, and in person. 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. DHREmployment@fairfaxcounty.gov EEO/AA/TTY.
#LI-AP1
Merit Positions
Fairfax County is proud to offer employees an attractive and comprehensive benefits program, including the following:
- Medical/Vision/Dental Insurance Coverage
- Group Term Life Insurance
- Long Term Disability
- LiveWell Program
- Flexible Spending Programs
- Paid Leave (annual, sick, parental, volunteer activity, and more!)
- Paid Holidays
- Contributory Retirement Plan
- Deferred Compensation
- Employee Assistance Program
- Employees Child Care Center
- Continuous Learning Opportunities
Please click here for a summary of our benefits.
NOTE: Fairfax County Government is a qualifying employer under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. For more information about the PSLF program: Public Service Loan Forgiveness | Federal Student Aid
For additional details please visit the Countys benefits webpage.
Non-Merit Positions
Non-Merit Benefit Eligible: scheduled to work a minimum 1,040 hours and no more than a maximum of 1,560 hours in a calendar year.
Medical/Vision/Dental Insurance Coverage
Flexible Spending Program
Deferred Compensation
Temporary: scheduled to work a maximum of 900 hours in a calendar year.
No benefits
01
What is the highest level of education that you have completed?
- Less than 12th grade
- High school diploma or GED
- Some college
- Associates degree
- Bachelors degree
- Masters degree
- Doctorate degree
02
If you answered "Some college" for the highest level of education completed, please indicate the number of quarter or semester hours you have completed towards a degree.
- Less than 45 quarter hours
- 45 to less than 90 quarter hours
- 90 to less than 135 quarter hours
- 135 to less than 180 quarter hours
- 180 or more quarter hours
- Less than 30 semester hours
- 30 to less than 60 semester hours
- 60 to less than 90 semester hours
- 90 to less than 120 semester hours
- 120 or more semester hours
- Not applicable
03
Please indicate all major(s) or minor(s) for your completed degree(s). Check all that apply.
- Psychology
- Social work
- Nursing
- Counseling
- Human services
- Other (related field)
- Other (non-related field)
- Not applicable
04
If you answered "Other (related field)" or "Other (non-related field)" for the previous question, please list all of your majors and minors. If this question does not pertain to you, or you do not have a degree, enter "Not applicable".
05
Do you currently possess a valid drivers license?
06
How many full-time equivalent years of human services experience do you have?
- None
- Less than one year
- One to less than two years
- Two to less than three years
- Three to less than four years
- Four to less than five years
- Five or more years
07
Check each of the following you currently possess:
- Certified Peer Support Specialist (CPRS)
- Registered Peer Recovery Specialist (RPRS)
- Forensic Peer Support Specialist Certification
- Peer Recovery Specialist Supervisor Training
- Other Peer Specialist Certifications and trainings
- None of the above
08
If you indicate "other" in the previous question. Please specify. If not applicable, please enter N/A.
09
How many full-time equivalent years of experience do you have in providing peer/recovery support services (PSS)? (PSS is a behavioral health model of care that provides community-based recovery services to individuals diagnosed with a mental illness of substance use disorder. PSS assist individuals in initiating and maintaining the process of recovery and resiliency to improve their health, wellness and self-care skills. PSS are provided by individuals who have lived experience with recovery from Mental Health or substance use disorders and utilize this experience in provision of services. Peer Support Service is an individualized, recovery focused approach that promotes the development of wellness self-management, personal recovery, natural supports, coping skills, and self-advocacy skills and development of independent living skills for housing, employment and full community inclusion.)
- None
- Less than one year
- One to less than two years
- Two to less than three years
- Three to less than four years
- Four to less than five years
- Five or more years
10
How many full-time equivalent years of experience do you have using your lived experiences to help individuals experiencing a substance use and/or mental health condition?
- None
- Less than one year
- One to less than two years
- Two to less than three years
- Three to less than four years
- Four to less than five years
- Five or more years
11
Check each of the following functions you have at least four months experience performing. (Check all that apply)
- Engaging with individuals during a mental health or substance use disorder crisis.
- Providing information and referrals to additional community-based recovery services.
- Providing information and support to involved family members and other supportive individuals.
- Sharing your own experience to help individuals in their recovery.
- Collecting and reporting data on individuals receiving community-based services.
- Assisting individuals to develop and articulate goals.
- Teaching problem-solving and coping techniques to individuals to manage crises and/or distress.
- Supporting individuals to develop social skills that will enhance job acquisition and development of support in the community.
- Utilizing Wellness Recovery Action Plans to help individuals.
- Facilitating recovery oriented recreational, social, or therapeutic group events.
- Working collaboratively with staff, health providers, medical staff, community supports, self-help providers and others to assure successful interventions with individuals and partners.
- Working in a paid role to support individuals through their involvement in the justice system.
- Working in a forensic setting (e.g. Jails, Courts, Probation).
- None of the above
12
Do you have any prior experience working with individuals with an opiate use diagnosis?
13
How would you rate your skills when using technical equipment or electronic records to input data and documentation?
- Fair
- Good
- Proficient
- Excellent
- Outstanding
- None of the above
Required Question
Employer Fairfax County
Address 12000 Government Center Pkwy. Suite 270
Fairfax, Virginia, 22035
Phone 703-324-3311
Website http://agency.governmentjobs.com/fairfaxcounty/default.cfm