Outreach Peer Support Specialist

Are you passionate about meeting people where they are, building meaningful connections, and helping individuals access the resources they need to live healthier lives?

Detroit Recovery Project (DRP) is seeking a compassionate and community-focused Outreach Peer Support Specialist to provide outreach, harm reduction education, health education, and linkage to supportive services throughout the Detroit metropolitan area. This role works directly with individuals in the community, including people who use or inject drugs, to reduce harm, increase access to care, and support individuals in reaching their identified goals. If you're approachable, dependable, knowledgeable about community resources, and passionate about helping others without judgment, we'd love to hear from you.

Who We Are

Detroit Recovery Project, Inc. (DRP) is a Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) dedicated to transforming lives through integrated behavioral health, primary care, prevention, recovery support, and community-based services. Our mission is to empower individuals and strengthen communities by addressing the whole person through compassionate, evidence-based care that promotes long-term health, wellness, and recovery.

Our recovery philosophy focuses on helping individuals build meaningful, sustainable lives through:

• Health & Wellness
• Spirituality
• Employment
• Education & Training
• Family & Recovery Support

What We're Looking For

Detroit Recovery Project is seeking an Outreach Peer Support Specialist to support community outreach efforts that increase participant engagement, health education, and access to services. Reporting to the Prevention Program Director and Coordinator, this position educates participants about harm reduction, substance use, infectious disease prevention, and available community resources.

The Outreach Peer Support Specialist provides rapid HIV/HCV testing, distributes safe-use and safe-sex supplies, connects individuals with services such as housing, treatment, medical care, and employment, and provides services directly in the community, including through DRP's mobile unit. This role maintains ongoing engagement with participants as they work toward their identified goals and is expected to practice harm reduction principles by meeting individuals where they are and treating each person with integrity and kindness.

Compensation Range: This position is supported through grant funding. As a result, compensation is determined by the grant budget and may fall within a designated pay rate or range set by that funding source. The hourly pay range for this position is $21.63-$22.84 per hour and is based on non-discriminatory factors such as skills and experience. This is a full-time, non-exempt (hourly) position that is eligible for overtime compensation with prior approval.

The Ideal Candidate Will Perform The Following:

Community Outreach & Engagement

• Conduct outreach activities designed to increase participant engagement and access to services.
• Identify, locate, recruit, and engage participants as needed.
• Engage people who inject or use drugs (PWID/PWUD) in harm reduction services.
• Build positive, professional, and supportive relationships with participants.
• Help participants cultivate independence, self-confidence, and self-esteem.
• Maintain ongoing contact and outreach with participants as they work toward identified goals and services.
• Provide services directly to individuals in the community, including through DRP's mobile unit.

Harm Reduction & Health Education

• Educate participants on harm reduction practices and the potential health risks associated with substance use.
• Maintain knowledge of infectious diseases as they relate to PWID/PWUD and educate participants on risk reduction and prevention.
• Provide rapid HIV/HCV testing.
• Distribute safe-use and safe-sex supplies.
• Practice harm reduction principles, including meeting individuals where they are and providing services with integrity, kindness, and respect.

Resource Navigation & Linkage

• Connect participants with identified community resources and supportive services.
• Assist individuals with accessing housing, substance use treatment, medical services, employment, and other identified needs.
• Maintain familiarity with substance use disorder and community resources throughout Detroit.
• Coordinate and facilitate support services to promote successful program participation.

Documentation & Program Support

• Accurately document services provided to participants.
• Enter participant information and service data using an iPad or tablet during or following participant meetings.
• Document ongoing calls, outreach attempts, and progress toward participant goals.
• Support the team in meeting established monthly program goals.
• Track certification requirements, key due dates, and continuing education requirements.
• Attend and participate in required training.
• Maintain compliance with organizational policies and procedures, HIPAA standards, the corporate compliance program, code of ethics, and applicable federal, state, and local requirements.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Required

• High School Diploma or GED.
• Minimum of two (2) years of experience working with substance use disorder (SUD) or HIV populations.
• Strong organizational skills.
• Knowledge of local resources, including housing, medical care, and other supportive services.
• Familiarity with Detroit-area substance use disorder resources.
• Computer proficiency, including Microsoft Office.
• Ability to communicate effectively, work collaboratively, and build positive working relationships.
• Ability to take initiative and work toward departmental goals and objectives.
• Ability to exercise discretion and sound judgment when handling sensitive or confidential information.
• Valid and unrestricted Driver's License.
• Reliable transportation with current automobile insurance meeting agency requirements.
• Ability to travel throughout the metropolitan area and between program locations as needed.
• Ability to work evenings and weekends as needed.

Preferred

• Associate's degree in Guidance and Counseling, Psychology, Social Work, Vocational Rehabilitation, Business Administration, Public Health Administration, or a related field.
• Lived experience with substance use disorder and STIs.
• MCBAP and/or MDHHS certifications.
• Experience working with EMR/EHR systems.

What's In It For You?

• A collaborative and mission-driven work environment.
• The opportunity to make a direct impact in communities throughout Metro Detroit.
• Meaningful work supporting harm reduction, prevention, recovery, and access to care.
• Flexible scheduling and excellent work-life balance.
• Comprehensive benefits for full-time employees, including:
  • Medical
  • Dental
  • Vision
  • Front-Loaded PTO
  • 401(k) with Company Match
  • Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
  • Pet Insurance
  • Student Loan Forgiveness (PSLF & eligible HRSA programs*)

HRSA Student Loan Forgiveness is available only for positions approved by the HRSA Program.

COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement:

The COVID-19 Vaccination is strongly encouraged but not required for employment with Detroit Recovery Project.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.