Behavioral Health Peer Program Liaison

State of Colorado • Colorado Springs, CO

2d • Hybrid

About The Position

This position develops and implements behavioral health peer led programs, training and education that provide measurable outcomes utilizing evidence-based practices to promote instruction and peer/staff engagement that creates a positive prison culture and pathways to successful re-entry.

Requirements

• Applicant must have seven (7) years of experience providing peer recovery coaching, training and/or supervision.
• Applicant must have a Peer Recovery Coach Credential and be able to provide Peer Recovery Support Supervision and in good standing with the COPA credentialing board and/or NCPRSS Credentialing Board .
• Self-control, a strong sense of ability to work in stressful, potentially violent situations.
• Ability to remain alert, emotionally stable, and mentally resilient under pressure and observant throughout their shift.
• Tolerance to stress, confinement, and high-stakes interaction.
• Ability to effectively interact with offenders.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to read and comprehend the English language.
• Ability to effectively communicate fluently in English both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to create accessible documents and technical content that follows plain language guidelines with accessibility in mind.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Must be 21 years of age.
• Possess a valid driver’s license.
• Possess a high school diploma or GED.
• Have NO felony convictions, to include any actions defined in 5 U.S.C. 301; U.S.C. 509, 510; 42 U.S.C. 15601-15609.
• The CDOC shall not hire nor promote anyone who may have contact with an offender who has engaged in sexual abuse which includes acts, activity, and sexual behavior, in a prison or other institution as defined in 42 U.S.C. 1997; or has been convicted of engaging or attempting to engage in sexual activity in the community facilitated by force, overt or implied threats of force or coercion, or if the victim did not consent or was unable to consent or refuse, or has been civilly or administratively adjudicated to have engaged in the activity described in the above paragraph.
• The agency shall consider any incidents of sexual harassment in determining whether to hire anyone who may have contact with offenders or residents.
• Applicants must have valid U.S. work authorization at the time of application; DOC cannot provide H-1B sponsorship at this time.
• Possess the physical ability to successfully complete Defensive Tactics; Lift arms above head and kick as high as own waist; Stabilize another person to accomplish a controlled take down; Use arms, palms of hands, shins, and feet to deliver blows; Withstand impact (slow speed or with a safety bag) on own body from strikes/blows; Swing a baton in a striking technique; Rotate body 90 degrees with feet planted for striking with foot or using a defensive tactic; Get down on one or both knees and up again with multiple repetitions.
• Must be able to see and hear in order to observe, address and respond to potential breaches in safety and security.
• Seize, hold, control or subdue violent or assaultive persons and defend oneself or others to prevent injury.
• Demonstrate body agility, strength of all four limbs and the ability to walk and climb stairs consistently.
• Work in situations involving assaultive behavior, physical control of another person and/or restraint situations.
• Deal with individuals with a range of moods and behaviors, utilizing tactfulness and a congenial, personable manner.
• Work with people of the opposite sex, diverse racial ethnic groups, mentally ill and emotionally disturbed offenders.
• Communicate by talking, listening and/or signaling people to convey or exchange information, assignments.
• Work in an environment with fluctuating noise and temperature (hot and cold) which may include working outdoors in inclement weather and/or concrete floor/wall work settings.
• Willing and able to travel.
• Willing and able to work various shifts, days, afternoons, graveyards (nights) which includes a rotating shift schedule.
• TB (tuberculosis) screening is required of all new employees upon hire.
• Successful completion of a background investigation is required.
• Employees (see exception below) may use marijuana in their personal time but are prohibited from working while under the influence of any substance, including marijuana.
• A drug test will be administered to all new employees; employees must successfully pass.
• Random drug screening will occur throughout employment.

Nice To Haves

• Peer Recovery Support Supervision
• Experience working as a member of a multidisciplinary team.

Responsibilities

• Coordinates training and education for the behavioral health peer training academy, peer specialists and mentoring for the peer coordinators while actively being the conduit of information between the behavioral health and clinical services, facilities, and internal and external stakeholders.
• Direct behavioral health peer program training lead that provides training and education consistency for Peer Specialists training, credentialing and mentoring to ensure highly effective behavioral health peer led programs are delivered to participants at the peer training academy and the staff supporting peer specialist work and supervision hours.
• Ensure all peer led training programs and education, meet evidence based programming and COPA, BHA and SAMHSA guidelines.
• Position is a work leader that is responsible for the mentoring, training and education for the Peer Training Academy programming for the Behavioral Health Peer Program.
• Evaluate approved training to included, but not limited to, Choices Recovery Training, Mental Health Choices training, and ECHO training, as well as peer education programs utilizing measurable outcomes to determine their success and alignment with the goals of the department.
• Designs processes and systems for providing peer recovery supervision commensurate with COPA and BHA standards as applicable for credentialed peer specialists and peer specialist credentialing and re-certification.
• Effectively communicate as a work lead for assigned staff for education, peer training, and peer supervision/mentoring needs are being met to ensure peer recovery coach support services to individuals with an identified substance use disorder (SUD) can increase successful/reintegration into the community by increasing treatment retention, improving relationships with treatment providers, reducing substance use, reducing substance use, reducing relapse rates, improving access to social supports, decrease criminal justice involvement.
• Participate in multidisciplinary committees to review submitted behavioral health peer-led training and programming curriculum.
• Submit COPA certification packets.
• Maintain a database to track peer-to-peer supervision/mentoring work, certification and training hours for peers providing peer recovery support services.

Benefits

• PERA Defined Benefit Plan or PERA Defined Contribution Plan plus 401K and 457 plans.
• Medical and dental health plans
• Short and long term disability coverage
• Paid life insurance
• 11 paid holidays per year plus vacation and sick leave
• Wellness program
• tuition reimbursement
• training opportunities

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: High school or GED