Peer Recovery Advocate

Job Vacancy

Program: New Directions

Location: 33 Chestnut Street

Position: Peer Recovery Advocate

Hours: 37.5 hrs/wk 52 weeks/year

Salary Range: $36,952 - $48,531 annually

Salary Grade: 10

Summary of Responsibilities:

Under the direction of the New Directions Dept. Program Director, the Peer Recovery Advocate works with New Directions clinical/support staff, in providing administrative and program support in implementing services offered by ABC’s New Directions Substance Abuse Services Clinic. In accordance with regulatory requirements, the Peer Recovery Advocate’s role is to support others in recovery from a substance use disorder; and to act as a “coach” in providing support throughout their recovery journey.

The Peer Recovery Advocate will serve as a role model, mentor, advocate, and motivator to recovering individuals to help prevent relapses, and to promote long-term recovery. This position must demonstrate a willingness, and ability to share personal recovery experiences, to develop authentic peer-to-peer relationships.

The primary focus for this position includes providing recovery education to service recipients for every phase of the recovery journey from pre-recovery engagement; recovery initiation and stabilization; and sustained recovery maintenance. Duties for this position include outreach, recruitment, and program promotion; development of workshops/training and facilitation; convening individual/group support sessions; case management/conferencing; assist in coordination of special events incl. forums, presentations, etc.; managing assigned database systems; initiating consumer linkages, navigation; information & referral and service coordination; data entry and reporting.

The Peer Recovery Advocate also plays a major advocacy role which includes increasing awareness; and by bringing the perspectives and insights of individuals/families impacted by substance abuse, to policymakers, community leaders and providers. The Peer Recovery Advocate assists in identifying and maintaining partnerships with organizations providing substance abuse treatment to individuals/families; advocating for system change; and increasing substance abuse prevention/intervention resources. This position assists in increasing awareness, access to treatment and opportunities for those impacted by substance abuse and related factors.

Qualifications/Education and Experience:

• Education: High School Diploma/Equivalent required (Associates Degree preferred), with completion of formal coursework/training in Rehabilitation or Substance Abuse Counseling, Health Administration/Science, Community Education, or related discipline.

• Recovery Peer Advocate Certification is required . An equivalent combination of education and experience will be considered. Must be willing to complete recommended training/coursework to enhance skills; and to maintain current any related/required certifications/licensing credentials.

• Experience: Requires a minimum of three (3) year’s direct professional and/or volunteer experience working in a substance abuse treatment, recovery program, rehabilitation setting, or comparable facility. A minimum of 12 months of direct clinical experience must have been completed within the past three (3) years (i.e., group therapy, counseling, intake screenings, etc.).

• Must possess good organizational and planning skills; and should also demonstrate a high level of initiative. Requires good analytical, negotiation, and problem - solving skills; and can use sound judgment, with minimal supervision.

• Requires a working knowledge of the drug and alcohol treatment system, and a demonstrated commitment to the recovery community. Must have a working level of knowledge of chemical/alcohol dependency and mental health issues/treatment strategies; knowledge of local consumer/community needs; as well as trends in recovery care. Familiarity with treatment adherence barriers and integrated treatment strategies for alcohol and chemical dependency, is preferred.

• Must possess a strong understanding of and respect for everyone’s unique path to recovery; and m ust have good understanding and sensitivity of related issues faced by individuals/families in recovery. Requires demonstrated experience in the following areas: recovery education; recovery planning; pre-recovery initiation and care engagement; recovery stabilization; sustained recovery maintenance; and community/consumer self-advocacy. Some demonstrated case management, consumer coaching, and case coordination experience is required.

• Requires familiarity with common terminology/language used in recovery and various treatment phases. Should have the ability to interpret information and directives in a variety of service areas. This includes screening/assessments; intervention & goal setting; obtaining, reviewing and securing required consumer documentation; interviewing; scheduling; consumer advocacy/representation; consumer education and information & referral services.

• Requires strong interpersonal and customer service skills; and must possess the ability to maintain a high level of confidentiality, for all items of a sensitive nature. Direct experience working with the targeted populations/general public, diverse organizations/individuals/groups from diverse backgrounds, in a variety of settings, is required.

• Experience coordinating and facilitating group/individual educational, informational, and coaching sessions is strongly preferred. Must demonstrate some proven ability to convene and facilitate informational sessions, training, presentations, public meetings, public awareness activities, and related special events.

• Requires good communication skills, oral & written; experience in preparing and disseminating educational/ informational announcements, procedures and related communications for partners, consumers and the general public.

• Knowledge of local/state/national public policy issues, health disparities and advocacy strategies regarding substance abuse and treatment is preferred. Knowledge of health care provisions, prevention & intervention strategies required; knowledge of demographic influences, accessibility to treatment, health related issues and advancements in care, is preferred.

• Familiarity with related NYS benefits and health-care systems; private/public municipalities, criminal justice/court systems and law officials (i.e. Drug Court, etc.); community- based organizations and support service programs is preferred.

• Requires proficiency with Microsoft Office Applications including Word, Outlook, and PowerPoint. Must be able to assist in maintaining program data and consumer information, both paper/electronic files; and analyze and interpret progress in meeting program outcomes.

• Requires the ability to complete input and documentation in preparing reports, log sheets, presentations, and announcements on consumer/program status in meeting goals.

• Knowledge of the Greater Rochester/Monroe County area providers/community sectors preferred. Requires ability to develop effective relationships with various organizations including housing, human service, business, financial, health, recovery, transportation, child-care, faith based, DSS, DOH, and other community sectors, both public and private; etc.

• Reasonable accommodations will be made, when possible, for employees who are unable to be vaccinated because of an approved medical exemption and/or sincerely held religious belief, practice, or observance.

• Bi-lingual capabilities English/Spanish useful.

• Requires the physical health capability to work in an office as well as in various community settings.

• Requires a valid NYS Driver’s License, and access to reliable transportation.

All employees of ABC’s New Directions Program must receive and maintain a full clearance from the Justice Center of New York that allows them unsupervised contact with clients (at the Agency’s expense). Any prospective or current employee who has an indication of abuse, maltreatment, or neglect, or who cannot be left unsupervised with clients, will not be hired or retained .

The above description covers the principle functions of the job. It is not intended to be a complete listing of all the miscellaneous incidental or substantially similar duties, which may be assigned during normal or emergency operations.

Please Forward Resumes/Applications to:

Human Resources Department

Action for a Better Community, Inc.

400 West Ave

Rochester, New York 14611

Email: [email protected]

(585) 325-5116

Deadline for Resumes/Applications:

U Internal Posting U External Posting