What are the responsibilities and job description for the POST Certified Peer Recovery Specialist position at City of Pittsburgh?
Position Summary
Project Summary
The Office of Community Health and Safety was established to address longstanding health, safety, and justice issues in the City of Pittsburgh. The office is tasked with redirecting city resources to better address community needs by housing social services, public health, and social work experts who can assist community members and first responders in situations that require longer-term support, harm reduction approaches, and other services. The Office of Community Health and Safety is developing programs that properly address individuals’ health and safety needs, guided by evidence-based practices and community input. This includes hiring social workers, outreach workers, and other professionals to connect residents with services that will provide long-term support and address the root causes of the challenges that they face.
The Post Overdose Support Team (POST) is a collaborative program involving local first-responders, certified peer recovery specialists, case managers, treatment providers, and social service providers designed to provide supports to individuals who have experienced an overdose and refused medical care. The POST initiative for the City of Pittsburgh will provide people with substance use disorder and co-occurring needs with person-centered social services and intense case management focused on harm reduction and compassion in lieu of criminalization and stigmatization. These individuals will be engaged in supportive services with the goal of reducing their likelihood of experiencing another overdose and improving their quality of life.
Job Summary
Certified peer recovery specialists are essential members of th e POST team, as they help the case managers navigate the complexities of being in active use, the effects of overdosing, and the complexities of behavioral/mental health challenges. Certified peer recovery specialists will empower individuals in active use to self-advocate for their needs and ensure access to services and support. Within the POST unit, the certified peer recovery specialist will advocate, mentor and help participants cope with stressors and overcome barriers. Additionally, they will guide the case managers in the complexities of being in active use and help coordinate access to services and navigate the healthcare systems. The certified peer recovery specialist will provide long-term support to participants and will develop strong communication relationships in order to ensure they are receiving the necessary care and services. They will aid participants in goal setting, building strengths, and ensuring they have access to the desired services. Lastly, the certified peer recovery specialist must attend and participate in the case conferences to share updates, support, and connect participants to the necessary services.
Peer support specialists self-identify as being in active use or in recovery from substance use, as well as being former or current consumers of behavioral/mental health and recovery services. Therefore, their lived experience helps guide not only the participants but also the case mana gers and service providers.
This position is funded for one (1) year from the POST SAMSHA Grant . Future years of funding are contingent on grant availability and other funding sources.
Department : Office of Community Health & Safety
Posting Type : Announcement
Salary : $54,260 per year.
Union : None, this is a non-union position.
Civil Service Classification : Exempt
Requirements
General Application Requirements:
You must submit or show proof of all of the following at the time of filing your application (unless otherwise indicated below) or your application will be disqualified. Disqualifications based on any of these General Application Requirements are not subject to a Civil Service appeal.
NOTE: Candidates being considered for employment must submit official transcripts verifying post-secondary education (college/university, trade school, etc.) prior to hire.
Qualifying Requirements
Your work experience and education/training will be evaluated to determine if you meet the qualifying eligibility requirements listed below for this position. You will receive notice of your eligibility status.
If you meet the qualifying requirements listed above, you will receive a letter of admission (when applicable) for the following examination(s). You must pass the written and/or performance examination(s) to have your name placed on the official Civil Service eligibility list for this position. Candidates receiving job offers must pass a medical examination (when applicable) before the date of hire.
Project Summary
The Office of Community Health and Safety was established to address longstanding health, safety, and justice issues in the City of Pittsburgh. The office is tasked with redirecting city resources to better address community needs by housing social services, public health, and social work experts who can assist community members and first responders in situations that require longer-term support, harm reduction approaches, and other services. The Office of Community Health and Safety is developing programs that properly address individuals’ health and safety needs, guided by evidence-based practices and community input. This includes hiring social workers, outreach workers, and other professionals to connect residents with services that will provide long-term support and address the root causes of the challenges that they face.
The Post Overdose Support Team (POST) is a collaborative program involving local first-responders, certified peer recovery specialists, case managers, treatment providers, and social service providers designed to provide supports to individuals who have experienced an overdose and refused medical care. The POST initiative for the City of Pittsburgh will provide people with substance use disorder and co-occurring needs with person-centered social services and intense case management focused on harm reduction and compassion in lieu of criminalization and stigmatization. These individuals will be engaged in supportive services with the goal of reducing their likelihood of experiencing another overdose and improving their quality of life.
Job Summary
Certified peer recovery specialists are essential members of th e POST team, as they help the case managers navigate the complexities of being in active use, the effects of overdosing, and the complexities of behavioral/mental health challenges. Certified peer recovery specialists will empower individuals in active use to self-advocate for their needs and ensure access to services and support. Within the POST unit, the certified peer recovery specialist will advocate, mentor and help participants cope with stressors and overcome barriers. Additionally, they will guide the case managers in the complexities of being in active use and help coordinate access to services and navigate the healthcare systems. The certified peer recovery specialist will provide long-term support to participants and will develop strong communication relationships in order to ensure they are receiving the necessary care and services. They will aid participants in goal setting, building strengths, and ensuring they have access to the desired services. Lastly, the certified peer recovery specialist must attend and participate in the case conferences to share updates, support, and connect participants to the necessary services.
Peer support specialists self-identify as being in active use or in recovery from substance use, as well as being former or current consumers of behavioral/mental health and recovery services. Therefore, their lived experience helps guide not only the participants but also the case mana gers and service providers.
This position is funded for one (1) year from the POST SAMSHA Grant . Future years of funding are contingent on grant availability and other funding sources.
Department : Office of Community Health & Safety
Posting Type : Announcement
Salary : $54,260 per year.
Union : None, this is a non-union position.
Civil Service Classification : Exempt
Requirements
General Application Requirements:
You must submit or show proof of all of the following at the time of filing your application (unless otherwise indicated below) or your application will be disqualified. Disqualifications based on any of these General Application Requirements are not subject to a Civil Service appeal.
- Applicants must submit a complete application including education, work experience, a resume (if applicable) and completed supplemental questions.
- Applicants must be or become residents of the City of Pittsburgh prior to employment and remain a resident throughout employment.
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- A current, valid Class C Pennsylvania Driver's License is required prior to appointment and must be maintained throughout employment. Written requests for accommodation based on the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act will be considered by the Department of Human Resources & Civil Service on an individual basis.
NOTE: Candidates being considered for employment must submit official transcripts verifying post-secondary education (college/university, trade school, etc.) prior to hire.
Qualifying Requirements
Your work experience and education/training will be evaluated to determine if you meet the qualifying eligibility requirements listed below for this position. You will receive notice of your eligibility status.
- WORK EXPERIENCE : The application must clearly show two (2) years of full-time experience working with individuals experiencing substance use issues . ( Less than full-time experience will be calculated on a pro-rated basis.)
- EDUCATION/TRAINING : The applicati on must clearly show a High School Diploma or equivalent and a Certified Recovery Specialist (CRS) or Certified Peer Specialist (CPS) certification. A bachelor’s degree is preferred. ( See NOTE under the General Application Requirements Section above regarding the verification of education/training ).
- EQUIVALENCY : Education/training and/or work experience may be substituted on a year-for-year basis if the application clearly shows the required number of years to meet the Total Qualifying Requirement for this position, based on the sum of work experience and education/training listed above. The Total Qualifying Requirement is two ( 2 ) years .
If you meet the qualifying requirements listed above, you will receive a letter of admission (when applicable) for the following examination(s). You must pass the written and/or performance examination(s) to have your name placed on the official Civil Service eligibility list for this position. Candidates receiving job offers must pass a medical examination (when applicable) before the date of hire.
- Written : None required for this position.
- Performance : None required for this position.
- Medical : None required for this position.
- Communicates with individuals experiencing active substance use issues to build trust, promote wellness, an d mitigate risk.
- Aids case managers in formulating individualized service plans (ISP) for program participants.
- Provides secondary response to opioid overdoses and d e-escalates individuals who have recently experienced an opioid overdose and refused additional medical treatment.
- Advocates, with the case manager, for program participants as they navigate treatment services, mental health services, and the criminal legal system.
- Collaborates with EMS personnel who have recently responded to an opioid overdose to ensure a successful warm handoff to the POST unit.
- Alternates between working 1 st shift (9 am 5 pm) and second shift (3 pm – 11 pm), depending on program and program participant needs.
Salary : $54,260