Requisition ID:
48795 Work Location:
Human Services - Pembroke 6 offices Pay Range:
G.20, $44,678.40 - $69,243.20 Starting Salary:
Depending upon Qualifications Work Schedule:
Monday - Friday, 8:00 am - 4:30 pm Part Time Hours/Wk:
Job Open Date:
4/6/26 Application Deadline:
4/13/26 Job Duties:
The City of Virginia Beach Department of Human Services is seeking to hire a Peer Recovery Specialist who has lived experience with recovery from a substance use disorder or a mental illness and has experience working with people with mental illness, substance use disorders, active Military, Veterans & Family for the Adult Outpatient Services (AOS) program.
A $3,000 hiring bonus is being offered for this position. Hiring bonuses shall only be for new hires of original full-time employment or reemployment as defined in Human Resources Policy No. 5.0.
- $500 will be awarded in the first paycheck.
- $1,000 will be awarded upon completion of the six (6) month interim performance evaluation with an overall rating of “Meets Expectations”.
- $1,500 will be awarded upon completion of the employee’s one (1) year probationary period and a performance evaluation with an overall rating of “Meets Expectations”.
Duties:
- Carry out rehabilitation, support function and assist consumers with reaching recovery goals in treatment.
- Provide education, support, and crisis counseling as appropriate and under the supervision of Program Supervisor.
- Provide recovery-based peer support services and outreach to peers Veterans who are experiencing difficulties in the community that may lead to hospitalization, incarceration, and homelessness.
- Provide peer counseling to Adult Outpatient Services, (AOS) consumers who require high levels of advocacy, supportive counseling to achieve recovery goals, motivational enhancement, and assistance with the development of problem-solving skills.
- Provide support services in office/community-based setting as specified in the treatment plan to include assisting consumers with activities of daily living such as interpersonal skill development and improving healthy socialization.
- Assist the individual directly, which may include transportation, for the purpose of obtaining needed resources and services. Assistance also includes advocating for the client and working with primary staff in order to procure needed resources or services, while empowering the individual to be as independent as possible.
- Provide consumer and family education related to Peer Support and Recovery,
- Assist the family and other members of the team to understand the clients' perspective and subjective experience.
- Participate in treatment team meetings, provides training in recovery, and leads recovery dialogues.
- Provide assessment of recovery goals and needs; updates treatment plans as necessary to capture peer counseling services.
- Maintain all clinical records in accordance with licensure and program standards in electronic and paper records.
The City offers a generous benefits package which includes health, dental and life insurance, retirement and savings plans, maternity/paternity and parental leave, Holiday and accrued leave.
Official City Job Description:
https://virginia-beach-departments-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/city/job-descriptions-pay-plans/Peer-Recovery-Specialist-03302.pdf
Working Conditions:
https://workingcondition-summary-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/B.007512.2.pdf
Minimum Requirements:
MINIMUMS: Requires any combination of education (above the high school level) and/or experience equivalent to one (1) year in fields utilizing the required knowledge, skills, and abilities OR eligibility for certification as a Peer Recovery Specialist with Virginia DBHDS. Must have a current and valid drivers license.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: All employees may be expected to work hours in excess of their normally scheduled hours in response to short-term department needs and/or City-wide emergencies. Must be eligible to become a Certified Peer Recovery Specialist (CPRS) in Virginia. If not obtained prior to hire, the peer counselor will receive Peer Certification Recovery Services training.
Additional Requirements:
DMV Transcript: Required
CDL: Not Required
DOT History: Not Required
CPS Check: Required
Physical: Not Required
Respirator: Not Required
Polygraph Review: Not Required
Psychological Screening: Not Required
Attachments Required: Resume
Preferences:
Certified Peer Recovery Specialist.
Experience working with people with substance use disorders, active Military, Veterans & Family.
Experience and comfort working with people with serious mental health concerns.
Credentials as a qualified mental health professional for Adults (QMHP-A).
Experience facilitating wellness groups.
Experience with Wellness Recovery Action Plans (WRAP).
Experience with an electronic health record.
Special Instructions:
Must have personal lived experience with serious mental illness (SMI) and/or substance abuse and be a Certified Peer Recovery Specialist or able to obtain certification within one year.
- Please complete the application in its entirety and include your resume if required by the posting.
- Your responses to any "Supplemental Questions", if attached to this requisition, must be supported by the information you provide on your application and/or resume; or otherwise demonstrated during the hiring process.
- You will not be able to access the details of this job ad once the closing date has passed. If you would like to retain this information, please take a screen shot or print using your browser's printing capability.
VRS Contribution: All full-time employees are required to contribute 5% of annual salary toward their retirement account; in accordance with VRS retirement provisions. This will be handled through a pre-tax payroll deduction.
Drug Free Workplace: The City of Virginia Beach maintains a drug free workplace.
