Peer Support Specialist (Peer Recovery Spec II) - BHOP Turning Point

Peer Support Specialist (Peer Recovery Spec II) - BHOP Turning Point

Salary

$45,255.39 - $75,424.96 Annually

Location

MERRIFIELD CENTER, 8221 WILLOW OAKS CORPORATE DR., FAIRFAX (HH12), VA

Job Type

FT Hourly W BN

Job Number

26-00997

Department

Community Services Board

Opening Date

07/04/2026

Closing Date

7/17/2026 11:59 PM Eastern

Pay Grade

S15

Posting Type

Open to General Public

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Job Announcement

This position works within our Behavioral Health Outpatient Services - Turning Point Team. As a Peer Support Specialist and under the direct clinical and administrative supervision of the Behavioral Health Supervisor, you will use recovery-focused approaches to engage youth and young adults in the community following development of psychotic-like experiences (hearing voices, seeing things others do not see, bizarre or odd thinking). Individuals enrolled in the program may have experienced hospitalization, legal challenges, or had decline in functioning at home, school, or work. Provides peer-to-peer recovery-based psychoeducation, linkage, and referrals to supportive services in the community, supports informed decision-making, and advocates for individual choice. Utilizes lived experienced and ones own recovery journey to help engage and motivate individuals to explore avenues of change. Further supports individuals with transitions to other treatment and recovery support as appropriate. Collects data and maintains records of calls to evaluate and improve programming, works collaboratively with emergency personnel, hospital staff, treatment providers, supervisor, and team members. Possesses and shares significant knowledge of local community resources beyond residential treatment that may support individuals' recovery and works to link individuals to those treatment supports and provides ongoing engagement with community stakeholders in the peer and recovery communities. Service provisions are based on client and program need.

More information about CSB Services may be found at Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board Community Services Board (fairfaxcounty.gov).

Fairfax County is home to a highly diverse population, with a significant number of residents speaking languages other than English at home - including Spanish, Asian/Pacific Islander, Indo-European, and many others. We encourage candidates who are bilingual in English and another language to apply for this opportunity. A foreign language skills stipend of up to $1600/year (full-time) may be given for qualified bi-lingual employees.

We strive to create a work environment that facilitates professional growth by broadening your skill base with extensive training and development, modeling best practices in employee relations, employee recognition programs and advancement opportunities along with providing a highly competitive wage and benefits package. Since 1969, the Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board Community Services Board has served individuals of all ages who have mental illness, substance use disorders, serious emotional and/or developmental disabilities. Our vision, aligned with the goals of One Fairfax, is that everyone in our community has the support needed to live a healthy, fulfilling life. Fairfax County is a dynamic and diverse community spanning over 400 square miles. With over 1.2 million residents, Fairfax County is the most populous jurisdiction in Virginia. Operating as part of Fairfax County governments human services system the CSB provides a wide array of services offering opportunities for career growth and advancement.

Note: This position is located in the Sharon Bulova Center for Community Health, 8221 Williow Oaks Corporate Drive, Fairfax, VA

Illustrative Duties

(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.)

• Leads, facilitates, or co-facilitates peer support groups or other education or support groups with a wellness or recovery focus, including preparing materials and developing curriculum;
• Assists individuals served in developing a self-directed recovery plan, (including Medicaid billable Recovery, Resiliency, and Wellness (RRW) plans) and enacting their plans;
• May collaborate with other service providers including Case Managers, Therapists, Nurses, Psychiatrists, and other partners;
• Service locations are varied and may include outpatient program sites, crisis programs, residential treatment programs, in the community, telehealth, and justice system settings;
• Provides navigation services for individuals, families, and other concerned persons, identifying and linking them to community resources that support the individual's goals and interests, including navigating crisis systems of care;
• Collaborates as needed with other health care providers in providing coordinated services;
• Conducts outreach and engagement activities to connect with individuals that may benefit from behavioral health services;
• Provides follow-up support after mental health and/or substance use emergencies, assisting individuals to learn skills, access resources, and receive emotional support to avoid future crises.

Required Knowledge Skills and Abilities

(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, theories, and methods of peer recovery services;
• Knowledge of local resources, services, and support in the community relevant to the population;
• Knowledge of wellness and recovery terminology, theories, and best practices;
• Knowledge of basic clinical psychological, physiological and psychiatric terminology, theories, and practices;
• Ability to effectively relate one's own lived experiences of wellness and recovery;
• Ability to provide one-on-one peer recovery services;
• Ability to provide group peer recovery services;
• Ability to establish rapport and maintain effective relationships with individuals served;
• Ability to facilitate development of wellness, recovery, and resiliency plans;
• Ability to assist individuals to access supports and services needed for recovery;
• Ability to collaborate with other behavioral health professionals;
• Ability to manage a caseload;
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing, including consistent use of recovery-oriented language;
• Ability to maintain records and use evaluation and survey tools;
• Ability to recognize signs of distress and threats to safety in individuals served and in the environment;
• Ability to take appropriate action, consistent with scope of practice, to address distress and crisis.

Employment Standards

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Any combination of education, experience, and training equivalent to the following:(Click on the aforementioned link to learn how Fairfax County interprets equivalencies for "Any combination, experience, and training equivalent to")

Graduation from high school or a GED issued by a state department of education; plus, any combination of education and experience equivalent to 1 year of Human Services experience.

CERTIFICATES AND LICENSES REQUIRED:

• Virginia Certified Peer Recovery Specialist (CPRS) through the Virginia Certification Board, or peer recovery certification by a member board of IC&RC through another state, or National Certified Peer Recovery Support Specialist (NCPRSS) through NAADAC - within six months of hire.
• Registered Peer Recovery Specialist (RPRS) with the Virginia Department of Health Professions (DHP) - within six months of hire.
• Valid motor vehicle drivers license with fewer than six demerit points (or equivalent in another state) maintained throughout employment.

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

• The appointee to this position will be required to complete a criminal background check, a Child Protective Services Registry check, a driving record check, and sanction screening to the satisfaction of the employer. A TB screening upon hire and annually thereafter. Requires a National Provider Identifier.
• Additional Work Schedule Requirements: Some evenings until 8:00 pm and occasional weekend work as necessary.
• This position is emergency/essential services personnel. (Required to report for duty during inclement weather and/or other emergencies.)

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Current certification as a Certified Peer Support Specialist (CPRS) or a Registered Peer Recovery Specialist (RPRS) within the Commonwealth of Virginia.
• Bachelors degree in related field.
• Experience with mental health and substance use challenges.
• Experience with documenting in an Electronic Health Record
• Experience working with Microsoft Office Suite applications.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Ability to travel to various sites. Ability to observe clients symptoms, communicate complex information by phone, in writing, and in person. Ability to lift up to 25 lbs. Ability to input, access, and retrieve information from a computer. All duties performed with or without reasonable accommodations.

SELECTION PROCEDURE:

Panel Interview and may include a practical exercise.

Fairfax County Government prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, age, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetics, political affiliation, or military status in the recruitment, selection, and hiring of its workforce.

Reasonable accommodations are available to persons with disabilities during application and/or interview processes per the Americans with Disabilities Act. TTY 703-222-7314. DHREmployment@fairfaxcounty.gov EEO/AA/TTY.

#LI-AP1

Merit Positions

Fairfax County is proud to offer employees an attractive and comprehensive benefits program, including the following:

• Medical/Vision/Dental Insurance Coverage
• Group Term Life Insurance
• Long Term Disability
• LiveWell Program
• Flexible Spending Programs
• Paid Leave (annual, sick, parental, volunteer activity, and more!)
• Paid Holidays
• Contributory Retirement Plan
• Deferred Compensation
• Employee Assistance Program
• Employees Child Care Center
• Continuous Learning Opportunities

Please click here for a summary of our benefits.

NOTE: Fairfax County Government is a qualifying employer under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. For more information about the PSLF program: Public Service Loan Forgiveness | Federal Student Aid

For additional details please visit the Countys benefits webpage.

Non-Merit Positions

• Non-Merit Benefit Eligible: scheduled to work a minimum 1,040 hours and no more than a maximum of 1,560 hours in a calendar year.

• Medical/Vision/Dental Insurance Coverage

• Flexible Spending Program

• Deferred Compensation

• Temporary: scheduled to work a maximum of 900 hours in a calendar year.

• No benefits

01

What is the highest level of education that you have completed?

• Less than 12th grade
• High school diploma or GED
• Some college
• Associates degree
• Bachelors degree
• Masters degree
• Doctorate degree

02

If you answered "Some college" for the highest level of education completed, please indicate the number of quarter or semester hours you have completed towards a degree.

• Less than 45 quarter hours
• 45 to less than 90 quarter hours
• 90 to less than 135 quarter hours
• 135 to less than 180 quarter hours
• 180 or more quarter hours
• Less than 30 semester hours
• 30 to less than 60 semester hours
• 60 to less than 90 semester hours
• 90 to less than 120 semester hours
• 120 or more semester hours
• Not applicable

03

If you answered that you have a degree or some college in the first question, please indicate your area of study below. If you do not have a degree, please select "not applicable."

• Psychology
• Social work
• Counseling
• Human services
• Behavioral sciences
• Other (related field)
• Other (non-related field)
• Not applicable

04

If you answered "Other (related field)" or "Other (non-related field)" for the previous question, please list the discipline of your degree. If this question does not pertain to you or you do not possess a degree, enter "N/A".

05

Do you currently possess a valid drivers license?

• Yes
• No

06

How many full-time equivalent years of experience do you have in human services?

• None
• Less than one year
• One to less than two years
• Two to less than three years
• Three to less than four years
• Four to less than five years
• Five or more years

07

Please indicate which of the following license(s) and certifications you possess in the Commonwealth of Virginia. (Check all that apply.)

• Certified Peer Recovery Specialist (CPRS)
• Registered Peer Recovery Specialist (RPRS)
• Clinical Psychologist/LMFT/LPC/LCSW
• Other Peer Specialist certifications and trainings
• None of the above

08

If you indicate "other" in the previous question. Please specify. If not applicable, please enter N/A.

09

How many full-time equivalent years of experience do you have using your lived experiences to help individuals experiencing a mental illness?

• None
• Less than one year
• One to less than two years
• Two to less than three years
• Three to less than four years
• Four to less than five years
• Five or more years

10

Check each of the following functions you have at least four months experience performing. (Check all that apply)

• Engaging with individuals during a mental health or substance use disorder crisis.
• Providing information and referrals to additional community-based recovery services.
• Providing information and support to involved family members and other supportive individuals.
• Sharing your own experience to help individuals in their recovery.
• Collecting and reporting data on individuals receiving community-based services.
• Assisting individuals to develop and articulate goals.
• Teaching problem-solving and coping techniques to individuals to manage crises and/or distress.
• Supporting individuals to develop social skills that will enhance job acquisition and development of support in the community.
• Facilitating recovery oriented recreational, social, or therapeutic group events.
• Utilizing Wellness Recovery Action Plans to help individuals.
• Working collaboratively with staff, health providers, medical staff, community supports, self-help providers and others to assure successful interventions with individuals and partners.
• None of the above

11

Do you have any prior experience working with individuals experiencing first episode psychosis (e.g., onset of psychosis within two years)?

• Yes
• No

12

How would you rate your skills when using technical equipment or electronic records to input data and documentation?

• Fair
• Good
• Proficient
• Excellent
• Outstanding
• None of the above

Required Question

Employer Fairfax County

Address 12000 Government Center Pkwy. Suite 270

Fairfax, Virginia, 22035

Phone 703-324-3311

Website http://agency.governmentjobs.com/fairfaxcounty/default.cfm