Youth Peer Support Specialist

Unity Recovery•Weatherford, TX

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Youth Peer Support Specialist provides peer recovery support services to youth ages 13–21 at Unity Recovery’s Youth Recovery Community (YRC), a program of the Weatherford Recovery Community Center. The role combines LifeSkills Training, peer support, pro-social engagement, and family involvement to help young people build recovery capital, reduce risk, and thrive in their communities. Drawing on lived and living experience, the specialist serves as a role model, mentor, advocate, navigator, and motivator for youth in or seeking recovery, helping them set and achieve personal goals, strengthen protective factors, and connect with supportive resources. The position involves engaging youth through recreational programming such as gaming, arts, and community service, facilitating group education, supporting families and caregivers, and applying trauma-informed and culturally responsive practices. Services are provided in person five days a week. A background check is required because the role involves direct work with minors.

Requirements

Hold a Recovery Support Peer Specialist (RSPS), Peer Recovery Support Specialist (PRSS), or Certified Peer Specialist credential, or be eligible to earn one within six months of hire.
At least one year of experience providing peer recovery support in community or youth-serving settings.
Experience engaging and supporting adolescents or young adults ages 13–21.
High degree of technological literacy, including use of RecoveryLink, CMBHS, and digital communication platforms.
Knowledge of electronic gaming platforms, including computers, consoles, headsets, and virtual reality.
Reliable and insured personal transportation.
Ability to pass a background check to work with minors.

Responsibilities

Provide individual and group-based peer support services to youth participants in person five days a week.
Facilitate LifeSkills Training sessions adapted for youth in recovery, covering decision-making, coping skills, communication, and resilience.
Build supportive relationships with participants through empathy, active listening, and relatable lived experience.
Develop individualized recovery and wellness plans with youth, incorporating appropriate recovery pathways and personal goals.
Support pro-social engagement through recreational and structured activities, including gaming, arts, service projects, and community events.
Facilitate family engagement workshops and involve caregivers in recovery programming.
Provide overdose prevention education and distribute naloxone when appropriate.
Participate in daily debriefs, weekly supervision, and monthly group supervision.
Complete timely, accurate documentation in RecoveryLink and CMBHS and support program reporting requirements.
Collaborate with schools, juvenile justice programs, and youth-serving nonprofits to enhance referral pathways and participant support.
Conduct services ethically and in accordance with the recovery bill of rights and trauma-informed practices.
Facilitate structured group sessions in LifeSkills Training, recovery skills, and wellness education.
Provide one-on-one mentoring and peer recovery support to youth participants.
Identify crises and connect youth to appropriate resources.
Help youth identify strengths, needs, and goals while building leadership and resilience.
Identify and support connections to community resources, including education, vocational training, social and cultural supports, mutual aid, and clinical providers.
Support youth leadership development and community engagement projects.
Maintain service logs, reports, and accurate participant records.
Engage in professional development and maintain active peer credentials.
Perform other duties as directed by the Peer Supervisor, Program Director, or Site Director.