IMPORTANT NOTICE:
Arlington County requires all applicants to thoroughly complete each section of the application, including prior job responsibilities, duties, and supplemental questions. While you may attach a resume, it will not replace a completed application. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
POSITION INFORMATION
Do you have a passion for providing services to adults in community settings? Arlington County Department of Human Services (DHS) Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) Program is hiring a certified Peer Recovery Specialist who has experience in providing community-based services to adults who are severely-mentally ill. This employee is part of a multi-disciplinary team and will work primarily in the community providing an array of Mental Health/Substance Use services. The employee will spend about 75% of the time primarily providing peer support, rehabilitation, and skill building out in a community setting, with some intervention directed or performed by staff with specialty training and skills.
ACT services promote independent living in the community for persons with the most severe and persistent mental illnesses. These services focus on increasing client tenure in the community, stabilizing psychiatric symptoms and improving the quality of life for identified high need, high-risk consumers in the community.
Specific duties include:
- Providing best practices-based care coordination and/or peer to peer recovery support to clients and natural supports;
- Assisting clients with obtaining services and care, while using a holistic approach that supports client physical and mental well-being and is focused on their recovery;
- Completing clinical documentation;
- Performing administrative duties to ensure compliance with policies, procedures, and regulations;
- Planning and providing individual and group activities which promote wellness, as well as planning and coping skills;
- Monitoring and supporting appropriate client engagement with treatment providers (case managers, therapists, etc.);
- Using peer coaching and Action Planning for Prevention and Recovery (APPR) program to assist clients with learning about their illness, symptoms and recommended treatment;
- Transporting client to appointments to assist with the attainment of various services and to help understand the eligibility requirements for those services;
- Participating in collaboration and consultation with other service providers, clients, and supportive collaterals; and
- Developing a calendar of community social events for clients.
Arlington County DHS is committed to delivering client services in an effective, equitable, respectful, and trauma-informed manner. Our staff is dedicated to ensuring our clients are approached, engaged and cared for in ways that demonstrate competency, sensitivity and awareness of factors which impact the client experience including but not limited to: cultural identity, gender, racial, and ethnic diversity, religious/spiritual ascription, physical capability, cognitive and literacy levels, sexual orientation, and linguistic needs.
Minimum Requirements:
- Completion of the requirements for graduation from High school or GED program.
- One year of mental health or substance use recovery.
- Certification as a Peer Recovery Specialist (CPRS) and Registration as a Peer Recovery Specialist (RPRS) in Virginia within six months of hire (may be extended to one year for part-time positions). Application, requirements and instructions can be found on the Virginia Department of Health Professions Webpage. https://www.dhp.virginia.gov/counseling/counseling_forms.htm and https://www.vacertboard.org/
Substitution: Completion of coursework in Social Work, Sociology, Psychology, Special Education, Mental Health, or Counseling from an accredited college or university can substitute for the experience requirement.
SELECTION CRITERIA
Desirables : Preference may be given to candidates with experience in one or more of the following:
- Serving individuals who are severely-mentally ill;
- Providing ACT services; and/or
- Assessing emergent needs or crisis situations.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
A pre-employment criminal records check will be conducted. It may include checks of the following: criminal record, driving record, education, professional licensure, and credit history. You may be required to sign a release authorizing the County to obtain your background information.
Applicant must possess, or obtain by time of appointment, a valid motor vehicle operator's license from the applicant's place of residence. The applicant must authorize Arlington County to obtain, or the applicant must provide, a copy of the applicant's official state/district driving record. Any offer of employment may be contingent upon a favorable review of the applicant's driving record.
Must complete pre-hire federal background check and State of Virginia Central Registry check.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Work Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Some evenings, weekends and rotating Holidays. Limited telework opportunities available upon supervisor approval.
This is a grant-funded position and is contingent upon funding availability.
Your responses to the supplemental questionnaire are considered part of the selection process and are required for this position. Please do not give "see resume" as a response to the questions. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
