Lutheran Family Services is seeking a Peer Recovery Support Specialist with lived experience related to substance use treatment or experience with medication assisted treatment for the treatment of Opioid use disorder. The selected individual must have the ability to be certified in Peer Support in the State of Nebraska.

Position Summary:

• The Peer Recovery Support Specialist supports individuals through sharing their knowledge, beliefs, and experiences that promote recovery and wellness. A Support Specialist supports each individual’s recovery journey through advocacy, modeling skills and behavior, education, and assistance with navigating the system of care. The Support Specialists will provide expertise to the team on the recovery process and consumer choice.

Job Duties:

• Educate the individual about the peer support relationship to include topics such as healthy personal boundaries, individual rights, and the significance of shared decision making.
• Support the individual in their unique recovery journey through active listening, modeling, and connection to resources.
• Assist individuals and staff to identify, understand, and combat stigma and discrimination.
• In collaboration with the individual, develop a peer support recovery plan.
• Provide support to consumers using evidenced-based models such as wellness recovery action plans (WRAP) and Whole Health Action Management (WHAM).
• Provide coaching to facilitate system navigation, accessing community resources, and engagement with formal and informal resources and supports.
• Provide coaching on advocacy and self-help skills to enhance the client's process of recovery.
• Share experiences, skills, strengths, supports, and resources to benefit the individual by demonstrating wellness through their own effective symptom management.
• Assist the individual to socialize and plan and carry out leisure activities.
• Organize and lead individual and group social and recreational activities.
• Provide side-by-side support, skills modeling, and transportation to support health and wellness, vocational/educational, and independent living goals.
• Provide expertise and consultation from a mental health consumer perspective to the team.
• Serve as a liaison between the team and consumer-run programs.
• Work with the team to complete required assessments.
• Participate in regular peer supervision sessions and team meetings as required by the program.
• Participate in and represent LFS at community and partner meetings to provide peer advocacy.
• Other job-related duties as assigned.

Required Skills/Abilities:

• Excellent verbal communication and interpersonal skills.
• Excellent time-management and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to collaborate with team members, clients, and other individuals in the work environment.
• Strong client advocacy skills.
• Thorough knowledge of recovery principals and the unique role of peer support.
• Ability to act with integrity, professionalism, and confidentiality.
• Regular and predictable attendance, and promptness for work.
• Commitment to uphold the mission, vision, and values of Lutheran Family Services.
• Support Lutheran Family Services in the organization’s objective to be a diverse, equitable, inclusive, and accessible workplace.

Position Competencies:

• Helping
• Decision Making
• Empathy
• Relationship Builder

Education and Experience:

• A high school diploma or GED is required.
• Paid or volunteer experience providing service/support to behavioral health clients (preferred).
• Must have at least a 12-month period of sobriety from drugs and alcohol.
• Willing to identify as a former or current consumer of mental health or substance abuse services.
• Must hold a Peer Support Certification or complete requirements within 12 months of hire or first available opportunity.

Physical Requirements

• Hybrid work environment (in-office, remote, and field setting).
• Company-issued laptop and cell phone.
• Walking and transporting client to and from various locations in the community.
• Valid driver’s license, proof of liability auto insurance, and ability to drive a personal vehicle on a daily basis for client and program needs within the community required.

Lutheran Family Services is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment on the basis of age, race, religion, color, ethnicity, disability, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin.