Veteran Peer Support Specialist (Part-Time)

Veteran Peer Support Specialist

Location: 241 Greenhouse Road, Lexington, VA
Employer: Rockbridge Area Community Services (RACS)

Rockbridge Area Community Services strives to impact our local community through innovative behavioral health, substance use and developmental services. Utilizing exceptionally qualified staff from diverse backgrounds, we strive to enhance lives and promote whole health wellness through a vast array of supportive services! We have been providing services throughout Rockbridge and Bath counties and the cities of Lexington and Buena Vista since 1982.

Position Overview:

This is a part-time position. The Veteran Peer Support Specialist (VPSS) provides non-clinical, person-centered, strengths based, wellness focused, and trauma-informed support. VPSS performs a variety of therapeutic and supportive tasks. They can offer support to clients experiencing crisis. They may assist in articulating goals for recovery or other services. VPSS may assist in tracking progress and linking clients to other therapeutic services or veteran services.

VPSS are veterans with lived experience who provide support to other veterans who are experiencing difficulty managing daily life alone, or difficulty navigating veteran services.

Key Responsibilities:

• Assist veteran clients with communicating their personal recovery or wellness goals.
• Provide clients education on wellness and recovery.
• Provide needed information and referrals to appropriate community resources.
• Share their own recovery story in an organized and succinct manner to convey hope and assist veterans to achieve wellbeing.
• Maintain client's electronic health record/medical records in compliance with Board, licensure, and Medicaid standards.
• Function as an advocate for veterans with recovery needs or serious mental illness through attendance or participation in RACS clinical staffing and CIT meetings.

Qualifications:

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Veteran with an honorable discharge who has spent a minimum of two years in personal recovery from trauma, a mental health diagnosis, and/or substance use condition.
• Certification as a Peer Recovery Specialist (CPRS) preferred. Required within six months of hire.
• Strong computer and organizational skills are preferred.
• Must have a valid Virginia driver's license and maintain a safe driving record.

Background Investigation Requirements: All applicants are subject to a background investigation. Investigations may include fingerprint checks (State Police); local agency checks; employment verification; verification of education (relevant to employment); and other checks based on the position.

Probationary Period: All persons that are newly hired, rehired, transferred, promoted, or demoted into a Rockbridge Area Community Services position must serve a new 6-month probationary period.

RACS is an EEO employer and is committed to supporting workforce diversity, equitable opportunities, and inclusivity. Reasonable accommodations are available upon request. RACS values our Veterans and encourages all to apply. AmeriCorps, Peace Corps, and other nation service alumni are also encouraged to apply.