Peer Recovery Support Specialist

MISSION STATEMENT

The Children’s Network of Hillsborough is committed to working with the community to protect children and preserve families.

General Purpose of Job

The Peer Support Specialist provides guidance and support to families involved in the child welfare dependency system, helping them navigate recovery from substance use challenges. This role focuses on empowering families by offering lived experience, encouragement, and connections to resources that promote stability and well-being.

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.  The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Meet with families at identified points in their individual cases to provide information on community recovery resources.
• Utilize lived experience and professional training to engage parents and support them in their recovery journey.
• Participate in staffings and case reviews to provide input on family progress, as needed.
• Provide timely documentation and feedback to the child welfare case manager.
• Conduct home visits, as requested by child welfare case managers, to ensure engagement and progress of identified families.
• Recognize crisis situations and take appropriate action in accordance with established policies, procedures, and protocols.
• Ensure accurate and timely data entry and adherence to all documentation requirements in FSFN.
• Produce reports related to clients and programmatic operations, as required.
• Drive and complete field-based work assignments, including meeting with clients in their homes and at various locations within the community.
• Maintain regular in-office attendance when not performing required field-based duties in order to carry out essential job functions, collaborate effectively with team members, participate in meetings with internal and external stakeholders, access agency resources and systems, and provide timely support for agency operations and service delivery.
• Must be able to drive and have reliable transportation to perform required field based activities.
• Perform other duties as assigned to support departmental and agency goals, as needed and appropriate to the position.

Working HOurs

Children’s Network of Hillsborough’s standard business hours are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. This position is an in-office based position with fieldwork requirements, that averages 40 hours per week. Work hours may vary outside of these standard hours, including evenings and weekends, as needed to meet operational demands. All hours worked will be compensated in accordance with the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and agency policies, including applicable overtime and other compensation requirements.

Travel

Travel within and outside of Hillsborough County is required. The employee must be able to drive and have reliable transportation to perform the essential functions of the position.

Training

All employees must complete fifteen (15) hours of on-line or classroom Training on an annual basis. All non-certified Peer Recovery Support Specialists must attend formal instruction (Peer Recovery Support Training and Wrap-Around training). Upon successful completion of training, the candidate will enter provisional status.  The candidate will be required to become fully certified according to the requirements of the Florida Certification Board. All Certified Peer Recovery Support Specialists Professionals must complete twenty (20) hours of relevant in-service training on an annual basis. 

Supervisory Responsibilities

This position does not have supervisory responsibilities

Education and Experience

• High school diploma or equivalent
• Minimum of two (2) years of years of peer recovery experience; either as an adult in recovery, or as a caregiver another person who is living with a mental health and/or substance use condition 
• Must have a working knowledge of community services in our local area.

Skills and Abilities

Strong communication and active listening to build trust and rapport with clients. They demonstrate empathy, patience, and nonjudgmental support, fostering a safe and encouraging environment. Problem-solving and crisis intervention skills are essential for guiding individuals through challenges and connecting them with appropriate resources. Peer Recovery Specialists also possess strong advocacy and collaboration abilities, working alongside healthcare professionals, community organizations, and support networks to promote holistic recovery.

pre-employment requirements

Certificates, License, Registrations, backgrounds, drug screens, Etc.

• Valid driver’s license required, with proof of insurance
• Driver’s license check is a requirement
• Criminal background screening (fingerprinting) (Local Law Enforcement and FBI/FDLE)
• Drug Screening is a requirement
• Children’s Network participates in E-Verify
• Peer Recovery Specialist certification

Other Requirements

LANGUAGE SKILLS

Strong verbal and written communication skills are essential for effectively engaging with families, professionals, and community partners. The ability to actively listen, convey information clearly, and adapt communication styles to diverse audiences is critical. Bilingual or multilingual abilities are a plus, enhancing the capacity to support families from various cultural backgrounds.

REASONING ABILITY

Strong reasoning and problem-solving skills are essential for assessing situations, making informed decisions, and supporting families in overcoming challenges. The ability to think critically, exercise sound judgment, and adapt to changing circumstances is crucial in providing effective guidance and resources

Physical Demands

This role requires the ability to perform field and community-based work, including traveling to various locations, conducting home visits, and attending meetings or events. The position may involve prolonged periods of standing, walking, and driving, as well as occasional lifting of materials up to 25 pounds. Flexibility and stamina are essential to effectively engage with families in diverse settings and respond to needs as they arise. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

This is an in-office position, with responsibilities that extend beyond the office environment. While most duties are performed within an indoor office setting with a moderate noise level, field-based work is a required component of this position and includes frequent community-based interactions. The ability to drive and travel within the community is required to perform essential job functions. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the role.

ADA:       Children’s Network of Hillsborough, LLC will make reasonable accommodations in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.

EEO:     Children’s Network of Hillsborough, LLC does not discriminate based on race, national origin, gender, religion, veteran status, or disability in employment, in provision of services, or in access to programs.

Children’s Network of Hillsborough, LLC is a Drug-Free Workplace.