Peer Recovery Specialist

Peer Recovery Specialist

Mental Health Support Services

Hiring Range: $59,053 - $69,387

Deadline: 11:59 p.m. February 8, 2026

Who We Are:
Mental Health Support Services (MHSS) is the provider of mental health, developmental disabilities, and substance use disorder services for children and adults in Chesterfield County. The Clinical services program is seeking a Certified Peer Recovery Specialist to join their team. The position is team and community-based, operating primarily outside of an office setting. The Certified Peer Recovery Specialist will meet individuals in various locations, including motels/hotels, encampments, private residences, treatment facilities, and jails. If this is your passion, then come join our team!
 
Minimum Education and Experience:
High school diploma or GED (bachelor's degree in human services or related field preferred); completion of the Certified Peer Recovery Specialist (CPRS) training curriculum, a mandatory prerequisite for the CPRS certification, through the Virginia Certification Board (VCB); one year of experience in providing peer/recovery support services or in related behavioral health work; or an equivalent combination of training and experience. Lived experience with substance use disorder preferred; full-sustained recovery from substances preferred; experience providing community outreach services preferred; experience with medication assisted treatment such as Suboxone, Methadone, Naltrexone, Vivitrol preferred. Those candidates with verbal and written fluency in both English and Spanish are encouraged to apply.
 
Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Working knowledge of assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of mental illness. Ability to support others in recovery and demonstrate efforts at self-directed recover. Effectively represent and advocate for the consumer perspective within the community and the mental health system. Operate a personal computer and related software and other standard office equipment and use of an electronic medical record. Communicate effectively orally and in writing; to develop and maintain effective working relationships with internal and external customers. Knowledge of substance use harm reduction principles preferred; knowledge of substance use treatment and resources preferred.
 
Additional Requirements
 • Completion of the 72-hour training course for Peer Recovery Specialists.

• Must be a self-identified current or former recipient of mental health services for a severe and persistent mental illness.

Current valid driver’s license and good driving record required. Based on the Virginia DMV point system, records must not reflect a total of six or more demerit points within the twenty-four months preceding the anticipated hire date, or one major violation of six demerit points within the preceding thirty-six months. Out of state driving records must be obtained by applicant and presented at time of interview. Records must reflect at least three years of history and be dated within thirty days of interview date.

Pre-employment drug testing, FBI criminal background check and education/degree verification required.

This position is considered Safety Sensitive and is subject to random drug and alcohol testing. 

Duties include but are not limited to the following:
 
 • Serves as a recovery agent by providing and advocating for effective recovery-based services; assists consumers in accessing services by educating about community and natural supports and how to utilize these in the recovery process;
 
 • Monitors and assesses consumer progress and makes recommendations or modifications to treatment plan;
 
 • Prepares and maintains casework documentation as required in the delivery of services (e.g case histories, assessments, treatment plans, progress notes, correspondence);
 
 • Functions as a part of a multidisciplinary team to review cases, treatment approaches, clinical issues, client progress and treatment recommendations, and to promote a recovery perspective;
 
 • Works as part of a team to provide harm reduction tools and strategies, connects individuals to community resources, and links them to recovery services and supports using a person-centered approach;
 
 • Responds to overdose hotspots and collaborates with county and community resources;
 
 • Utilizes motivational and trauma-informed practices to enable consumers move to forward on their self-chosen recovery journey;
 
 • Demonstrates appropriate, professional, and healthy boundaries, as well as exercises appropriate judgment and an understanding of safety concerns; and
 
 • Performs other work as required.

A Chesterfield County application is required and must be submitted online by deadline. Visit chesterfield.gov/careers to view instructions and to complete and submit an application. (804) 748-1551.

An Equal Opportunity Employer Committed to Workforce Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion