Housing Support Peer Recovery Specialist (Grant Funded)

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.

The Department of Human Services (DHS) is seeking a Housing Support Peer Recovery Specialist for the Housing Assistance Bureau, which will serve under the direction of the Housing Assistance Bureau’s (HAB) Permanent Supportive Housing Assistant Manager. The Specialist will support the Permanent Supportive Housing Program (PSH), which is an evidence-based practice and effective housing strategy for persons with disabilities. Permanent supportive housing refers to integrated, permanent housing (typically rental apartments) associated with flexible community-based services, which are available to tenants when needed but are not mandated as a condition of occupancy. This position works closely with community landlords to resolve any tenancy issues that may arise. The primary function of this position is to help individuals maintain housing.

Specific duties include:

• Sharing lived experience with recovery to connect with clients and educate about the recovery process and tenancy rights; 

• Serving as a role model, mentor and motivator to clients to help obtain and maintain stable housing;

• Coordinating and conducting a range of recovery-based groups and skill -building classes aimed at maintaining housing; 

• Supporting client attainment of identified goals in their PSH Housing Plan and facilitates appropriate communication with housing specialists and clinical staff;

• Assisting with client engagement of services such as providing outreach and linkage to service provider that are individualized and appropriate for clients’ needs;

• Accompanying and transporting client to appointments to assist in the successful attainment of services, documentation for housing or benefits, and resources;

• Participating in the collaboration and consultation with various service providers, clients and supportive collateral at regular intervals as appropriate to support client housing and treatment plans;

• Advocating and modeling effective communication skills to successfully negotiate service needs; 

• Documenting case activities and reflecting progress toward attainment of client housing and recovery goals; and

• Participating in workshops, seminars and conferences. 

The successful candidate will possess:

• Strong interpersonal communication skills to resolve complaints, persuade others, speak in public and develop trusting positive relationships with tenants, landlords and service providers;

• Working knowledge of behavior healthcare systems and the complexity of the supportive housing needs for individuals with serious mental illness;

• Problem solving skills involving thinking creatively and solving housing problems that may not be addressed through traditional service delivery system;

• Excellent time management skills and ability to prioritize competing tasks; and/or

• Substantial computer skills that include the ability to create engaging presentations.

The Department of Human Services 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. People with lived experience and expertise of homelessness or other affordable housing or housing subsidy programs are encouraged to apply.

Minimum: 

• Completion of the requirements for graduation from High school or GED program.
• Completion of Virginia DBHDS 72-hour Peer Recovery Specialist training within ninety days of hire date. 
• One year of mental health or substance use recovery.

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.

Licenses/Certifications: Certification as a Peer Recovery Specialist (CPRS) and Registration as a Peer Recovery Specialist (RPRS) in Virginia within six months of