Peer Support Jobs Where Passion & Purpose Come Together.

Find rewarding work in any of the peer support jobs we offer at Strength In Peers. Strengthen your own recovery, support the recovery efforts of our participants, and learn valuable skills with frequent training and educational opportunities. We are an equal opportunity employer proud to offer our employees:

  • Competitive wages
  • Healthcare coverage
  • Retirement plan
  • Holidays and other paid time off
  • Built-in wellness days to focus on your personal recovery
  • Flexible schedules
  • Short-term disability
  • Flexible medical and dependent spending accounts

Peer Recovery Specialist

Full-Time (40 hours/week)

Strength In Peers seeks a qualified individual to fill a Peer Recovery Specialist position working out of its Harrisonburg office. Occasional evenings or weekends for special events and peer groups may be required. Training and coaching in peer support skills will be provided.

Position summary:

The Peer Recovery Specialist is an individual with lived experience overcoming substance use, mental health, and/or trauma-related challenges who offers peers support to others seeking recovery. The Peer Support Specialist functions as role model, exhibiting competency in personal recovery and use of coping skills, and inspires hope that recovery and resiliency are achievable goals. The Peer Recovery Specialist supports individuals to achieve their personal recovery goals based on self-determination, personal responsibility, and the empowerment inherent in self-directed recovery. This position assists others to: articulate their recovery goals, learn and practice coping techniques, monitor their progress, navigate community services, and advocate for their needs and preferences with service providers.

General Job Duties:

  1. Provide peer support services to individuals with substance use, mental health, and/or trauma-related challenges.
  2. Educate individuals about various pathways to recovery and available services that support recovery.
  3. Help participants to navigate community services for health care, behavioral health, housing, employment, and other needs.
  4. Assist participants to apply for Medicaid, other public benefits, rental housing, and employment.
  5. Support participants to adhere to the requirements of other agencies, such as probation/parole, child protective services, etc.
  6. Collaborate with case managers, counsellors, and other providers to plan and coordinate services to mutual participants.
  7. Transport and accompany participants to appointments and community resources.
  8. Facilitate peer support groups and workshops.
  9. Collect and report data on activities and participant outcomes.
  10. A complete list of tasks and duties will be provided in the position’s full job description.

Minimum qualifications:

  1. Identify as a person in active recovery from substance use, mental health, and/or trauma-related challenges.
  2. Believe that anyone can recover and thrive; support all recovery pathways.
  3. Able to connect with others and inspire confidence, hope, and healing.
  4. Able to communicate effectively in writing and interpersonally in one-on-one and small group settings.
  5. Strong knowledge of computer applications for data entry, word processing, email, and internet navigation.
  6. Minimum of a high school diploma or equivalent.
  7. Completed 72-hour PRS training and certification (CPRS) a plus.
  8. Driver’s license required.

To apply:

Send cover letter and resume to Director@StrengthInPeers.org. Applications will be accepted until positions are filled. Only applications that provide both cover letter and resume will be considered. Please no phone calls.

Peer Recovery Support – PAID INTERNSHIP

Earn the 500 hours of peer support experience needed to qualify for the Virginia PRS Certification!

Paid Internship: $12.00/hour

20, 30, or 40 hours/week depending on your schedule for up to 500 total hours.

Applications for in-person placement at either our New Market or Harrisonburg office locations are accepted on a rolling basis. 

 * Candidates must successfully complete their 72-hour DBHDS PRS Training before applying for an internship position. Information on the PRS training and certification process can be found at www.vaprs.org.

** Candidates must have a valid driver’s license.

General Job Duties:

  • Learn from peers in recovery and share experiences in order to help others.
  • Get and give support that is based on respect and mutual agreement of what is helpful.
  • Motivate others to move past fear and towards goals and aspirations.
  • Help with the development of wellness plans and action plans.
  • Assist with our Harm Reduction and Street Outreach programs to provide overdose reversal training, prevention education, and resource connection.
  • Support evidence-based peer recovery groups.
  • Provide resource connections and linkages to health and social services.
  • Collect data and learn why data collection is important to the peer recovery field.
  • Collaborate in a supportive environment that encourages multiple recovery pathways.

Minimum qualifications:

  1. Minimum of 1 year in active recovery from substance use, mental health, and/or trauma-related challenges.
  2. Minimum of a high school diploma or equivalent.
  3. Must have completed the Virginia DBHDS 72-hour PRS training.
  4. Background check required.
  5. Driver’s license required.

Apply for our Internship Position here: https://forms.gle/pRedKpmFAtSXgLVQ9