Peer Recovery Navigator (Social Services Specialist I)

*$2,500 Sign-on Bonus

This position uses personal recovery experience and training to connect with individuals and offer peer recovery support, engagement, and education to those receiving Medications for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD) Treatment while incarcerated and receiving services through the Sheriff's Office Medical Branch. This role works with individuals recovering from substance use disorders who are incarcerated or in the process of reentering the community after a period of incarceration and involvement in jail-based recovery and treatment services. This position is based within the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center and focuses exclusively on working with incarcerated individuals receiving MOUD and re-entry services. Responsibilities include conducting structured, reentry focused assessments to identify social, health, emotional, and economic needs and supporting successful transition to community-based recovery and treatment, recovery supports, and other identified services.

This position engages and motivates individuals to maintain active participation in recovery and continue active engagement in a recovery lifestyle. The duties may include individual and group support, coordination of transportation coordination, supporting assistance with recovery housing decisions, and connection to essential services and helping individuals access needed services and natural supports such as self-help programs, wellness, and basic needs.

This role requires coordination with the Sheriff's Office medical team, behavioral health team, and other community partners to support continuity of care, including release planning, medication access, and linkage to treatment and recovery supports upon release. The position also supports program data collection and tracking efforts, including accurate documentation of services provided, client engagement, and reentry outcomes to meet program and grant reporting requirements. This position requires strong documentation, coordination, and the ability to effectively manage assigned responsibilities within a structured correctional environment. All responsibilities are carried out in accordance with established protocols and chain of command, with the expectation that any concerns, barriers, or clinical considerations are communicated to supervisory staff in a timely manner for review and guidance.

Note: This is a grant funded position and funding is evaluated each year.

*This position includes a sign-on bonus for fully qualified new county employees in the amount of $2,500 (full-time). This bonus program requires a signed payback agreement between the department and employee.

(The illustrative duties listed in this specification are representative of the class but are not an all-inclusive list. A complete list of position duties and unique physical requirements can be found in the position job description.)

• Works with clients to develop a plan of service to meet social, health, emotional and economic needs;
• With the clients, formulates objectives and identifies actions to resolve the clients' problems;
• Uses automated technology and hard copy files to maintain and update case data, notes, documents, records, contacts and summaries of information.

(The knowledge, skills and abilities listed in this specification are representative of the class but are not an all-inclusive list.)

• Knowledge of the principles and practices of social work;
• Knowledge of current social service problems and methods/approaches to address issues;
• Knowledge of regulations and guidelines relating to the assigned area of social service specialization;
• Ability to analyze case information and to reach sound decisions on the basis of such information;
• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing;
• Ability to use automated technology to establish and maintain case records;
• Ability to maintain professional ethics and confidentiality of client information;
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with a variety of individuals;
• Ability to schedule and manage workload sufficiently to meet deadlines.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Minimum of a Bachelor's degree in a Human Services field OR minimum of a Bachelor's degree in any field with a minimum of two years of appropriate and related experience in a Human Services area (Section 22VAC40-670-20 of the Administrative Code of Virginia).

In order to be evaluated for positions in the Family Services Occupational Group, individuals who do not meet the degree requirement at the time of application for employment must be in their last semester of a degree program that will meet the requirements listed above.

Contingent upon the area of assignment, some positions within this class may require specific certification(s) or experience prior to employment and/or the ability to acquire necessary certification(s) within a specified time period following employment. The certifications and preferred qualifications are identified in the position description and employment advertisement.

CERTIFICATES AND LICENSES REQUIRED:
Virginia Certified Peer Specialist credential or ability to obtain this credential within one year of appointment.

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
The appointee to this position will be required to complete a criminal background check, polygraph exam, psychological exam, and tuberculosis test to the satisfaction of the employer. Driver's license or ability to efficiently access other means of transportation in order to visit clients in their homes and to meet with community service providers is required.

This position is emergency/essential services personnel. (Required to report for duty during inclement weather and/or other emergencies.)

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Virginia Certified Peer Specialist.
• Peer/lived recovery experience.
• Knowledge of and/or experience with Medications for Opioid Use Disorder and community-based recovery supports.
• Experience working within correctional setting or with justice involved populations.
• Experience with reentry planning and coordination of care across systems such as medical, behavioral health, and community providers.
• 1 - 2 years of professional social work experience.
• 1 - 2 years of experience working with people recovering from substance use disorders.