Peer Recovery Specialist

Position Summary

The Certified Peer Recovery Specialist (CPRS) provides evidence-informed, person-centered, and recovery-oriented peer support services to participants enrolled in the NJRWFS initiative. Utilizing lived experience and peer-based approaches, the CPRS assists participants in strengthening recovery capital, addressing barriers to recovery and employment, and building the skills and supports necessary to pursue education, occupational training, and employment goals. The CPRS works collaboratively with participants, Workforce Case Managers, and community partners to promote self-advocacy, wellness, and sustained recovery.

Skills and Knowledge Required

Knowledge of recovery principles, peer support practices, motivational communication, community resources, workforce development services, confidentiality, professional boundaries, and documentation requirements. Ability to establish supportive relationships, navigate recovery and social service systems, and provide culturally responsive, person-centered services.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Provide individualized peer recovery support services based on participants' identified needs, strengths, preferences, and recovery goals.
• Assist participants in developing recovery goals and strengthening recovery capital to support long-term wellness and employment readiness.
• Utilize lived experience, recovery coaching, and motivational communication to promote self-advocacy, resilience, and engagement in recovery.
• Assist participants in navigating treatment, recovery support, workforce development, and community service systems.
• Connect participants to recovery resources, mutual aid, supportive services, and other community-based opportunities.
• Reinforce recovery and wellness strategies introduced through the Coping with Work and Family Stress (CWFS) curriculum.
• Collaborate with Workforce Case Managers to address recovery-related barriers that may impact education, occupational training, or employment goals.
• Encourage participation in recovery-oriented activities, community engagement, and wellness opportunities.
• Maintain accurate and timely documentation of participant services and activities in the Recovery Data Platform (RDP).
• Participate in supervision, team meetings, required trainings, fidelity monitoring, outreach activities, and ongoing professional development.
• Maintain confidentiality, ethical boundaries, and adherence to agency policies and applicable grant requirements.
• Perform additional duties as assigned by the Program Director or agency leadership.
• Services will be delivered throughout Central and Northern New Jersey, with a primary focus on Union, Middlesex, Hudson, and Mercer counties.

Behavioral Competencies and Expectations

• Demonstrate professionalism, empathy, and respect while fostering a supportive, inclusive, and recovery-oriented environment.
• Maintain appropriate professional boundaries, confidentiality, and ethical standards in all participant interactions.
• Promote participant autonomy, self-determination, and empowerment through person-centered peer support.
• Communicate proactively and respectfully with participants, colleagues, supervisors, and community partners.
• Demonstrate reliability, accountability, and effective time management in fulfilling assigned responsibilities.
• Remain flexible, solutions-oriented, and responsive to participant needs while working collaboratively with the project team.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required; Associate's or Bachelor's degree preferred.

• Lived experience in recovery from substance use disorder and/or co-occurring disorders required.

• Current New Jersey Certified Peer Recovery Specialist (CPRS) credential or ability to obtain certification within six months of hire required.

• Previous experience providing peer recovery support services preferred.

• Knowledge of recovery-oriented services, community resources, and principles of person-centered peer support preferred.

• Strong communication, interpersonal, organizational, and documentation skills.

• Ability to work independently and collaboratively with participants, staff, and community partners

Travel

Frequent statewide travel throughout New Jersey is required, primarily within Hudson, Mercer, Middlesex, and Union counties. Reliable, independent transportation is required.

Evening and Weekend Availability: Occasional evening or weekend activities

NOTE: This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. Employee may perform other related duties as negotiated to meet the ongoing needs of the organization. Job descriptions can be revised and updated periodically to meet the needs of the organization.

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) and Anti-Harassment Policy

Prevention Links provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, Prevention Links complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.

Prevention Links expressly prohibits any form of workplace harassment based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, or veteran status. Improper interference with the ability of Prevention Links' employees to perform their job duties may result in discipline up to and including discharge.

Compensation details: 24.73-27.47 Hourly Wage

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