Recovery Support Specialist

Jewish Family & Childrens Service Of The Suncoast • Sarasota, FL

5d

About The Position

The VIP-ER (Voluntary Interim Placement – Enhanced Recovery) Program at JFCS of the Suncoast provides long-term, holistic, support for individuals who are seeking recovery from substance use. Delivered in collaboration with four core partners—JFCS, The Salvation Army, CareerSource Suncoast, and the Florida Department of Health in Sarasota County—the program offers case management, substance use counseling, education, health care, family reunification, employment support, and life skills development. VIP-ER reflects JFCS’s mission to deliver trauma-informed, person-centered care that restores dignity, promotes independence, and strengthens our community. The Recovery Support Specialist is a frontline, recovery-oriented role focused on recovery screening, group facilitation, and ongoing recovery support within the VIP-ER program. This role supports participants in identifying strengths, goals, and barriers to recovery, facilitates structured psychoeducational groups, and collaborates with the multidisciplinary team to support participant progress. The Recovery Support Specialist functions as a recovery guide and facilitator, helping participants build insight, motivation, skills, and connections that support sustained recovery and stability. This position does not provide clinical assessment or therapy, but instead serves as a recovery mentor, facilitator, and connector, helping participants build insight, motivation, and skills that support sustained recovery.

Requirements

• Two years of experience in substance use recovery services, case management, or behavioral health required.
• Valid Florida driver’s license and reliable transportation.
• Must pass a Level II background screening.
• Strong understanding of substance use recovery, wraparound service models, and trauma-informed care.
• Skilled in participant engagement, de-escalation, and goal-setting strategies.
• Confidence in group facilitation and participant engagement.
• Collaborative and adaptable approach to multidisciplinary teamwork.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and comfort with electronic documentation systems.
• Ability to work independently and in collaboration with a multidisciplinary team.
• Strong time management, communication, and documentation skills.
• Cultural humility and comfort working with diverse populations.
• Adherence to ethical practice, confidentiality, and professional boundaries.
• Committed to empowering clients and supporting their long-term recovery and well-being.
• Completion of all required agency-wide and program-specific trainings.
• Willingness to complete training in the selected psychoeducational curriculum.
• Desk work with computer usage for extended periods
• Reliable transportation and ability to travel locally
• Occasional irregular hours and capacity to work under pressure
• Full range of motion and corrected vision, hearing, and speech (or reasonable accommodations)

Nice To Haves

• Experience facilitating psychoeducational groups strongly preferred.
• Bachelor’s degree in social work, counseling, psychology, or related field preferred.
• Certification as a Peer Recovery Specialist a plus.

Responsibilities

• Recovery Screening & Goal Support · Conduct non-clinical recovery screenings and intake conversations to identify participant strengths, needs, and recovery priorities.
• Support participants in identifying self-directed recovery goals using motivational and strengths-based approaches.
• Share recovery-related observations with the multidisciplinary team to support coordinated care.
• Participate in reflective check-ins to support participant insight, accountability, and engagement.
• Group Facilitation & Recovery Support Facilitate structured psychoeducational and recovery-focused group sessions using evidence-based curricula (e.g., Living in Balance , Seeking Safety ).
• Deliver group content related to: Recovery skills and relapse prevention Health education related to substance use and wellness Motivation, self-efficacy, and goal-setting Emotional regulation, communication, and problem-solving Life skills, employability readiness, and community reintegration
• Create a safe, inclusive, and trauma-informed group environment that encourages participation and peer connection.
• Coordinate group logistics and collaborate with guest speakers or partner agencies as appropriate.
• Collaborative Care & Program Support Work closely with clinical staff to support referrals to counseling and therapeutic services when indicated.
• Participate in weekly multidisciplinary team meetings, sharing assessment insights and participant progress updates.
• Provide recovery-oriented support during moments of instability or increased risk to help participants remain engaged in the program.
• Maintain awareness of community-based recovery resources and support participant connection to those networks.
• Participant Engagement & Program Promotion Support the onboarding and orientation of new participants into the VIP-ER program.
• Serve as a welcoming, consistent, and encouraging point of contact for participants.
• Act as an ambassador for the VIP-ER model, reinforcing program expectations, structure, and values.
• Champion participant voice, choice, and self-determination throughout the recovery process.
• Encourage peer connection and mutual support among participants.
• Documentation & Compliance Document assessments, group facilitation, and individual recovery support activities in accordance with organizational, statutory, and funder requirements.
• Maintain accurate, timely, and well-organized participant records.
• Track participant engagement and outcomes to support program evaluation and quality improvement.
• Adhere to confidentiality, ethical standards, and professional boundaries at all times.

Benefits

• 403(b) retirement plan with matching contributions.
• Health, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance.
• Generous paid time off (starting at 15 days per year) and typically 15-18 paid holidays annually , including federal holidays and key Jewish holidays.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) to support your well-being.
• 37.5-hour work week for better work-life balance.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Number of Employees: 501-1,000 employees