Peer Recovery Specialist

** Note: The Salary range varies and will be determined during the offer process based on education, licensure, and skills (e.g., bachelor’s, master’s, unlicensed, independent license, bilingual language capacity.

Job Title: Peer Recovery Specialist

Program/Department: Family Engagement Program 

Position Type: Non-Exempt, Full-time 40 hours/week, – In Home and Community

Location: Statewide ( Greater Boston, Northeast MA, Southeast MA, Central MA, Wester MA)

Reports to: Peer Recovery Specialist Supervisor

About IHR: The Institute for Health and Recovery (IHR) helps people heal, strengthen their relationships with loved ones, and thrive. We support people navigating complex and intersecting challenges: substance use, trauma, mental health and medical needs, isolation, poverty and housing instability, and child welfare and justice system involvement.  Our services are rooted in compassion and lived expertise—supporting people across all dimensions of identity and experience.    We know that with hope, support, and meaningful connection to others, recovery and healing are possible for every person.   At IHR, we are proud to offer an inclusive, recovery friendly, and supportive work environment. We welcome and value lived experience of recovery. 

Summary Statement: The Peer Recovery Specialist is a person with lived experience of parenting in recovery from a substance use disorder (SUD). Working as part of a multidisciplinary team, the Peer Recovery Specialist supports pregnant and parenting people impacted by substance use, trauma, and mental health needs. Using their own lived experience and professional training, the Peer Recovery Specialist assists people with accessing care, identifying and building on their strengths, learning about recovery, and navigating supports and services for themselves and their families. The Peer Recovery Specialist will work closely with an interdisciplinary team on all family activities. 

Essential Functions: 

• Work collaboratively with clinical staff and partners to identify and engage pregnant and parenting people in services; 
• Provide recovery-oriented, trauma-informed services in homes and community settings; 
• Support families in developing and maintaining recovery support plans, and in identifying goals for attaining and maintaining recovery, including cultivating a recovery support network; 
• Work with parents to develop self-worth and skills that build connection with their children, using Relational-Cultural Theory; 
• Build rapport with parents to supportively challenge negative beliefs and promote positive change, using Motivational Interviewing Techniques; 
• Facilitate or co-facilitate groups; 
• Engage in weekly supervision and maintain all required documentation; 
• Participate in collecting evaluation data for further assessment and/or services as needed; 
• Collaborate with team members on an ongoing basis to discuss and coordinate client care and treatment. 
• Solicit feedback from participants about satisfaction and service delivery improvements and share with team. 
• Participate in BSAS Recovery Coach Academy and related training if not already certified as a Recovery Coach. 
• Participate in required training and become knowledgeable in relevant evidence-based practices, such as Seeking Safety, the Nurturing Program, and Trauma Informed Care. 
• Maintain timely records of all services providers in EHR system in accordance with state and federal confidentiality laws. 
• Use cloud-based systems for communication with IHR’s site office, including shared calendars, timesheets, and supervisor check-ins. 
• Attend team and agency staff meetings. 

Qualifications/Requirements: 

• Lived experience of parenting in recovery, and willingness to share experiences, skills, strengths, and resources. 
• Strong understanding of child development and attachment. 
• Knowledge of recovery pathways, Peer Recovery Centers, agencies, and services a plus 
• Knowledge of medication assisted treatment; training in peer recovery support role preferred. 
• Skills in Motivational Interviewing, and in strengths-based, trauma-informed service delivery. 
• Demonstrated oral and written communication skills. 
• Current certification as Peer Recovery Coach, or eligibility and willingness to obtain certification within 6 months of hire. 

Other Requirements: (If Applicable) 

• Valid driver's license, current auto insurance, good driving record, and regular access to a reliable vehicle. Travel between IHR work sites and training/community locations is required. Reimbursement for approved work-related travel is provided in accordance with the IHR's mileage reimbursement policy.

Competencies: 

• Clear and effective communication 
• Strong organizational skills 
• Ability to work effectively in teams 
• Self-motivated and independent 
• Problem-solving skills 
• Adaptability and flexibility 
• Commitment to ongoing development and learning 
• Dedication to diversity, equity, inclusion and justice 

Physical Requirements: The physical demands of this position include talking, hearing, sitting, standing, walking, lifting, and using hands for activities such as grasping, handling, and reaching. These physical and mental demands are essential for the successful execution of job responsibilities. Reasonable accommodation will be made for qualified individuals with disabilities.