Peer Recovery Support Specialist I - SUD

Position Title: Peer Recovery Support Specialist I

Department: PDD

Reports to: As Assigned by Program Director

POSITION SUMMARY

The Peer Support Specialist I promotes recovery, housing stability, and successful reintegration by providing advocacy, mentorship, and linkage to behavioral health, medical, and social services in alignment with ARG/PFD program goals and requirements.

Provides peer-based support, supervision, and coordination of services within the Adult Reentry Grant (ARG) and PFD recovery housing programs. This role is responsible for supporting and overseeing daily operations across two recovery houses, ensuring a safe, structured, and recovery-oriented environment for justice-involved individuals reentering the community.

HOURS

Outpatient: 8 hours per day / 5 days a week

Benefits Package

• Medical Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Care Plan
• Life Insurance
• Paid Holidays
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
• Paid Vacation Time
• Sick Time
• 401(k) Retirement Plan
• Competitive wages
• Stability and career advancement
• Continuing Education Opportunities

Recovery Housing Oversight & Operations

• Provide daily oversight of two recovery housing sites, ensuring compliance with house rules, safety standards, and program expectations.
• Monitor resident activities and maintain accountability for resident whereabouts and occupancy across both houses.
• Conduct regular walkthroughs and safety checks to ensure a clean, organized, and recovery-oriented living environment.
• Support implementation of structured house routines, including curfews, chores, and community responsibilities.
• Address resident concerns, conflicts, or behavioral issues using a trauma-informed and recovery-focused approach.
• Support residents in maintaining cleanliness and shared responsibility of living spaces, including bedrooms, kitchens, and common areas.
• Ensure adherence to safety protocols, including incident reporting, emergency response, and required checks.
• Conduct resident orientations for new admissions, including review of house expectations, schedules, and available services.

Peer Support & Recovery Engagement

• Provide peer mentorship and recovery support using lived experience to promote hope, engagement, and self-sufficiency.
• Assist residents in setting recovery, housing, and reentry goals and encourage active participation in services.
• Facilitate or support recovery-oriented activities, including 12-step engagement, life skills development, and wellness practices.
• Assist residents in building independent living skills, including budgeting, hygiene, time management, and community integration.
• Serve as a role model for recovery, maintaining appropriate boundaries and ethical standards.
• Complete and maintain accurate, timely documentation of resident interactions, services provided, and housing activities in required systems.
• Track resident progress, participation, and housing outcomes in alignment with ARG/PFD reporting requirements.
• Maintain confidentiality in accordance with agency policy, HIPAA, and federal/state regulations.

Knowledge and Skills

• Passion and desire to work with justice involved individuals.
• Demonstrate a non-judgmental attitude and positive regard for individuals impacted by the Justice System.
• Experience providing field-based services.
• Strong people skills and ability to work with people of various ages, racial, ethnic, cultural, educational and socio-economic backgrounds.
• Organized, detail oriented and creative problem-solving.
• Proficient in computer skills and use of Microsoft products such as Outlook, Word and Excel.
• Must have valid driver's license

CATEGORIES OF DUTIES

1. Provide patient orientation for new patients to include unit tour, issuing of patient handbook, group schedule, and linens.

2. Assist in completion of data entry into Avatar for admissions and discharges as assigned.

3. Supervise and monitor patient activities to account for patient's whereabouts at all times to include documented patient census count throughout the overnight hours (inpatient and residential units).

4. Conduct body and property searches of patients in accordance with the search policy and procedure and maintain annual certification in these procedures.

5. Perform UA testing of patients, in accordance with the UA testing policy and procedure, and maintain annual certification in these procedures.

6. Perform medication call (Inpatient and Residential units)

7. Assist in daily cleanliness of the unit by overseeing and ensuring patients clean up after themselves (i.e., after meals, group rooms, bedrooms, and bathrooms).

8. Assist treatment team with the integration and coordination of health services across mental health, SUD, housing, and primary medical care.

9. Encourage patient engagement and self-management to promote wellness and recovery.

10.Educate and equip patients with tools or strategies to cope more effectively, problem solve and manage their behavioral health needs.

11.Assist the patient in identifying and building on their strengths and resiliencies.

12.Assist patients in developing community living skills and utilizing community resources by discussing common transition experiences and walking through new activities to assist them in their recovery process.

13.Attends assigned trainings, required staff meetings, and be responsible for continuing education and professional development as part of a commitment to provide quality services.

14. Communicates effectively with other staff members regarding patient behavior, progress, activities, etc.

15. Conducts self in a professional manner in areas of dress, language, attitude, and behavior.

16. Exhibit knowledge and support of the philosophy and objectives of the agency.

17. Conduct alarm checks during shift change (inpatient and residential units).

18.Provide patient escort and transportation services to and from activities and events and during such activities as needed.

19.Provide ongoing recovery support guidance in such areas as 12 steps, housing, vocational training, employment and other relevant community services.

20.Maintain patient confidentiality in accordance with agency policy and procedures and Federal laws.

21.Encourage patients to develop independent behavior that is based on choice rather than compliance.

22.Demonstrate consistency by supporting patients during ordinary and extraordinary times.

23.Assist patients in combatting negative self-talk, overcome fears, and learn how to problem solve.

24.Act as a role model for wellness and recovery and provide peer support that is mutual and respectful.

25.Understand and abide by code of ethics and patient rights.

26.Share personal recovery story in a manner that promotes recovery, instills hope, and is a benefit to those served while maintaining appropriate professional boundaries per employee handbook.

27.Administers waived tests (urine pregnancy test, blood glucose test, breath alcohol tester, UA drug screen, hemoglobin [HbA1c], COVID 19 and flu A+B tests, and fentanyl urine screen) to patients and maintains annual waived testing requirements/trainings as required.

EDUCATION/ TRAINING EXPERIENCE

• High School Diploma or above
• Class C License or Class B license (if required by job assignment)
• Computer literate • Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist Certification (PSSC)
• Minimum 1 years' experience in behavioral healthcare and/or providing peer support services.

SETTING

Tarzana Treatment Centers, Inc. is a non-profit corporation, which provides behavioral healthcare services, including chemical dependency.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Tarzana Treatment Centers, Inc. does not discriminate as to race, nationality, religion, gender, sexual orientation and disability in its hiring practices.

ADA REQUIREMENT

Tarzana Treatment Centers, Inc. supports the Americans with Disabilities Act. Discrimination is prohibited in all aspects of employment against disabled persons, who, with reasonable accommodations, can perform the essential functions of a job.