Peer Recovery Specialist II - PIR

Hampton-Newport News Community Services Board•Hampton, VA

3d•Onsite

About The Position

The Hampton-Newport News Community Services Board is seeking a dedicated and empathetic Peer Recovery Specialist II to support individuals navigating mental health and substance use challenges. In this role, you will draw on your lived recovery experience to provide peer support, advocacy, and practical guidance to individuals experiencing symptoms such as isolation, distressing thoughts, or behavioral health crises. You will play a key role in promoting recovery and resilience by assisting individuals with daily living needs, encouraging positive coping strategies, and fostering connections to employment, education, and community resources. As a trusted role model, you will help empower individuals to build meaningful, self-directed lives while supporting their journey toward sustained wellness and community integration. Since 1971, the Hampton-Newport News Community Services Board has provided the highest quality of behavioral health services to residents of the cities of Hampton and Newport News, Virginia, offering a comprehensive array of programs for both children and adults living with mental illness, developmental disabilities, and/or substance use disorders. Partners in Recovery is the HNNCSB's premier provider of quality comprehensive outpatient counseling, medication management and medication assisted treatment services to adults who are experiencing substance use and co-occurring mental health disorders. Our clinical approach is person-centered and is tailored to address the interaction of the individual's substance use and psychiatric related issues.

Requirements

Registered Peer Recovery Specialist (RPRS) with the VA Board of Counseling
Completion of DBHDS 72-hour Peer Recovery Specialist Training
At least one (1) year of Peer Recovery Specialist experience

Responsibilities

Deliver structured peer support that advances recovery and community stability for individuals experiencing mental health and/or substance use challenges.
Strengthen self-directed recovery, promote wellness, and reinforce skills that support employment, education, and community integration.
Facilitate one-to-one and group sessions.
Help individuals define recovery goals and develop actionable plans.
Support coordination with case managers/treatment teams.
Establish and sustain mutual-support groups.
Use tools such as WRAP and Advance Directives.
Teach problem-solving and strategies to address negative self-talk.
Provide vocational support (applications, interview tips, anxiety reduction).
Complete required documentation.
Maintain confidentiality.
Listen for where someone is today, noticing changes in presentation, and helping them name what they’re experiencing—such as isolation, anxious or aggressive talk, or thoughts of self-harm—so they can use practical coping strategies like positive self-talk.
Create space for people to share what has helped them, build hope, and recognize strengths, while modeling what personal recovery can look like in real time.
Balance planned sessions with outreach and check-ins.
Use WRAP/Advance Directive conversations to keep wellness plans current.
Close out with timely documentation that supports continuity of care.