Gambling Harms Peer Recovery Specialist

Center for Community Alternatives • Rochester, NY

13d

About The Position

The Center for Community Alternatives (CCA) is seeking a Gambling Harms Peer Recovery Specialist to join the New York State OASAS Recovery Community Outreach Centers (NYS RCOCs). This role is crucial in providing integrated recovery support for the prevention and mitigation of harms due to gambling across New York State. The specialist will increase public awareness about gambling harms and connect those affected with individualized recovery supports. This position is primarily for peers with lived gambling experience who have experienced harm as a result of their gambling. They will engage with individuals to support their recovery journey, build and maintain specific gambling recovery support services, and provide education on gambling harms within the community. The specialist will serve as a positive role model, inspiring hope and recovery through their personal experience.

Requirements

• Personal lived experience with gambling harm.
• High School Diploma or GED.
• Training or certification as a certified recovery peer advocate (CRPA), CRPA-Provisional (CRPA-P), or Certified Addiction Recovery Coach (CARC).
• If the peer has not participated in the OASAS 30-hour Gambling Harm Peer Support Training, they must complete the training within 90 days of hire.
• If the peer does not hold a CARC, CRPA, or CRPA-P, they must complete the required trainings within six months of hire and obtain either the CARC, CRPA-P, or CRPA within one year of hire.
• Willingness to embrace both abstinence and non-abstinence models as well as the philosophy that there are many pathways to recovery.
• Excellent communication skills including public speaking.
• Motivational and empowerment skills.
• Ability to build relationships with multiple contacts including callers, individuals, clinicians, referral sources, and community organizations.
• Ability to maintain personal recovery while supporting others.
• Understanding and sensitivity to diverse backgrounds, including different cultural, socioeconomic, and family dynamics.
• ALL APPLICANTS MUST SUBMIT COVER LETTER WITH RESUME.

Nice To Haves

• Using personal experience to inspire and serve as a positive role model promoting hope and recovery.
• Effectively earning the trust of a diverse range of participants while fostering a positive workplace culture.
• Demonstrating the ability to listen attentively and communicate clearly, including the use of clarifying questions to ensure understanding.
• Exhibiting a nonjudgmental approach in interactions, using active listening, maintaining (culturally appropriate) eye contact, and fostering positive relationships.
• Collaborating with team members and collaborative partners to ensure a smooth and safe transition to continuum of care resources and support.

Responsibilities

• Effectively engage with individuals who are recovery curious or people in various stages and pathways of gambling harms recovery.
• Facilitate one-on-one peer sessions.
• Conduct educational groups at the RCOC on the prevention and mitigation of harms associated with gambling.
• Support the creation and maintenance of mutual aid groups at the RCOC and/or in the community.
• Support individuals in pre-crisis or crisis situations.
• Provide community outreach, education, and public awareness about the prevention and mitigation of harms related to gambling and available resources to a broad range of constituents onsite and at meetings, trainings, community events and at partner service provider organizations.
• Link individuals with community recovery resources, prevention, treatment, harm reduction, financial counseling, and other applicable services for both individuals and affected others.
• Ensure that an OASAS-approved screening tool for gambling is offered at the RCOC consistently and in the community at appropriate trainings, educational sessions, and/or screening days.
• Work collaboratively with the Problem Gambling Resource Center, and all appropriate referrals sources including but not limited to OASAS’ continuum of care, voluntary self-exclusion support, financial counseling through GamFin, and physical and other behavioral health services.
• Share experiential knowledge, hope, and skills mentoring to support pathways of harm reduction or recovery around gambling, problem-solving, goal setting, and skill-building.
• Educate individuals about recovery principles, self-care strategies, and the importance of maintaining a balanced lifestyle.
• Understand and educate about the co-occurring substance use and mental health implications of gambling harms.
• Support engagement in evidence-based prevention, treatment, harm reduction, and recovery supports.
• Ensure there are specific support services, resources, and materials at the RCOC and within the larger organization, if applicable, that are updated and available including but not limited to mutual aid groups, educational groups, gambling-free activities.
• Provide content and materials to promote gambling recovery supports.
• Participate in agency team meetings and community meetings as appropriate.
• Attend regular training sessions, workshops, and recovery-related events to stay current on best practices in peer support and recovery.
• Complete required monthly reporting as determined by OASAS.

Benefits

• 12 paid holidays per year
• 20 days of earned time off (ETO) for full-time staff, with the ability to use it after 90-days of employment.
• Time off is earned starting on your first day.
• 7 days of paid sick time
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program

What This Job Offers

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