Peer Recovery Support Specialist – Return to Work

Ascension Recovery Services•Morgantown, WV

5d•Onsite

About The Position

Ascension Recovery Services is hiring Peer Recovery Support Specialists for its Return-to-Work (RTW) Program in West Virginia. This is a full-time, hourly, non-exempt, field-based peer support role assigned to a primary service region, with regular local and regional travel to meet participants and engage with community partners and recovery resources. Hiring regions include North Central West Virginia (Monongalia and Marion Counties), Southern West Virginia (Wyoming, Mercer, and Raleigh Counties), and Southwestern West Virginia (Mingo, Logan, McDowell, and Wayne Counties). Applicants may identify their preferred region or regions during the application process. Working alongside Return-to-Work Liaisons and other program team members, the specialist provides recovery-oriented support to people pursuing sustainable employment. The role helps participants identify their own goals and strengths, strengthen recovery supports, connect with resources, work through barriers, and navigate job searches, onboarding, workplace transitions, and post-placement follow-up. This is a peer support position, not a clinical treatment role; it requires appropriate professional boundaries, confidentiality, and referral or escalation when needs fall outside the peer role. Success includes building trust, connecting participants with suitable supports, helping them navigate recovery and employment challenges, and contributing to employment retention outcomes at 30, 60, 90, and 180 days. Eligible team members may have access to health coverage, paid leave, retirement benefits, life insurance, an Employee Assistance Program, supplemental benefits, and professional development and training.

Requirements

Meet applicable West Virginia requirements for Peer Recovery Support Specialists and any credentialing or certification required for the position.
Relevant peer recovery or recovery-support experience.
Understanding of recovery-oriented, person-centered, strengths-based, and trauma-informed approaches.
Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
Ability to establish trust while maintaining appropriate professional boundaries.
Strong documentation and follow-through.
Ability to recognize when a participant's needs require clinical or other professional intervention.
Ability to work collaboratively with participants, Return-to-Work Liaisons, community organizations, recovery providers, and other RTW team members.
Understanding of confidentiality and appropriate information sharing.
Ability and willingness to travel regularly throughout the assigned West Virginia service region.

Nice To Haves

Lived experience with recovery may be required or preferred, consistent with applicable certification requirements and organizational policy.

Responsibilities

Build supportive, respectful relationships using recovery-oriented, strengths-based, and person-centered approaches.
Help participants identify recovery goals and understand how recovery stability can support employment.
Encourage connection with peer support, recovery groups, community resources, and appropriate recovery services.
Provide encouragement, practical guidance, and recovery-focused problem-solving within the scope of the peer role.
Help participants strengthen self-advocacy, confidence, and informed decision-making.
Identify recovery-related barriers that may affect attendance, job readiness, workplace adjustment, or continued employment.
Work with Return-to-Work Liaisons to develop practical strategies supporting recovery and employment responsibilities.
Support participants during job searches, onboarding, workplace transitions, and post-placement follow-up.
Help participants navigate transportation, housing, recovery meetings, community support, and other resources affecting employment stability.
Respond promptly when recovery challenges could put employment at risk and connect participants with appropriate support.
Facilitate warm handoffs to recovery organizations, peer resources, community programs, and other approved services.
Help participants navigate access to clinical care when needed while maintaining boundaries between peer support and clinical treatment.
Participate in team meetings and case consultations while maintaining participant confidentiality.
Engage with community partners and other resources when appropriate and authorized.
Document peer contacts, referrals, participant engagement, and follow-up accurately and promptly.
Recognize and promptly escalate safety concerns or needs outside the scope of peer support.
Complete required training, supervision, continuing education, and professional development.