Forensic Recovery Peer Support Specialist

Passages to Recovery, Inc. (Passages), a non-profit organization in Pittsburgh PA, provides recovery-based services that focus on substance use while addressing contributing factors of trauma, mental health, and family systems. We are excited to implement a new grant-funded Criminal Justice Focused Peer Support Program that will provide person-centered, strengths based, trauma informed supportive services to individuals who have become involved in the criminal legal system and who have substance use or co-occurring disorders.

In this position, you will support people while they are involved in the criminal legal system; promote recovery principles, including self-advocacy; advocate for participants who are receiving treatment for substance use and/or co-occurring disorders; educate participants and their families about the criminal legal system and recovery; and inspire hope through shared life experiences. You’ll serve as a role model, advocate, navigator and motivator. You may work with law enforcement, local courts, reentry and supervision personnel, or in other community settings. You’ll strategically share your personal experience of criminal justice involvement and recovery with participants, and provide a variety of forms of assistance which may include harm reduction, diverse recovery pathways, and sustainable long-term recovery. Your daily activities will vary, depending on what your clients need. Your ability to connect with people is your greatest asset, because in peer-to-peer supports the relationship is the intervention.

GENERAL DUTIES:

• Help participants understand and navigate the criminal legal system.
• Help them find and utilize resources to gain and sustain housing and employment, if needed, and treatment options, if desired.
• Help them complete the requirements they must meet at the stage of criminal legal involvement they are in.
• Help them avoid future involvement with the criminal legal system due to lack of community supports, inability to meet their own basic needs, relapse, or lack of resources.
• Use recognized engagement techniques to help participants identify and prioritize needs and strengths, and develop goals/plans.
• Identify emergency or crisis situations, and facilitate access to appropriate resources and systems.
• Provide a range of personal supports to clients (e.g., individual coaching and skills development, psychoeducational groups, job readiness assistance, etc.) and help them connect them to resources.
• Understand and maintain confidentiality required by all applicable rules and regulations.
• Maintain electronic program records, logs, and reports in appropriate files and databases.

MUST HAVES:

• Lived experience of the criminal legal system and at least one year of recovery from substance use/co-occurring disorder.

• Current certification as a PA Certified Recovery Specialist and/or Certified Forensic Recovery Specialist (CRS/CFRS).
• Complete PCB approved Forensic Peer Support Training prior to employment or within one year of hire.
• At least one year of experience working in community-based recovery settings.
• Valid driver’s license and reliable, insured personal transportation.
• Basic computer skills, including MS Office Suite and videoconferencing applications.
• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Effective, empathetic and non-judgmental communication, listening and interpersonal skills.
• Able and willing to work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends.

We offer a competitive salary and benefits package, including health, dental, life insurance, paid time off, retirement plan, and opportunities for advancement. This is a full-time field position based in our Swissvale offices, which have free parking and easy access to the Parkway (Interstate 376). Contact us if you meet the requirements outlined above and are interested in joining our team.

9jQ0Wm3UEI