Peer Recovery Specialist

Job Posting End Date:

November 5, 2026

Department:

HUMAN SERVICES

Compensation Grade:

G20

Compensation Range & Starting Salary:

Pay Range: $44,907.20 - $69,971.20
Starting salary may be negotiable based on qualifications.

Job Exempt (If No, Position is eligible for overtime):

No

About Us:

Recognized as one of America’s Best-In-State Employers for 2024, the City of Virginia Beach is proud to offer a diverse and dynamic work environment. Our workforce plays a crucial role in delivering exceptional government services to both our citizens and fellow City employees. Apply now to join an organization where you truly make a difference.

Job Duties and Preferred Qualifications:

The City of Virginia Beach Department of Human Services is seeking to hire a Peer Recovery Specialists (PRS) who has completed the 72-hour PRS training class with VA DBHDS with lived experience to provide peer support services to adults with substance use disorders for the Intensive Outpatient Program.

The ideal candidate will be certified and/or registered as a PRS with the Virginia Board of Counseling, have experience working as a peer, lived experience specific to substance abuse use, and/or mental illness, experience with facilitation or co-facilitating peer groups, documenting in a comprehensive health record, and working on a multidisciplinary team.

A $3,000 hiring bonus is being offered for this position! Hiring bonuses shall only be for new hires of original full-time employment or reemployment as defined in Human Resources Policy No. 5.0.

• $500 will be awarded in the first paycheck.
• $1,000 will be awarded upon completion of the six (6) month interim performance evaluation with an overall rating of “Meets Expectations”.
• $1,500 will be awarded upon completion of the employee’s one (1) year probationary period and a performance evaluation with an overall rating of “Meets Expectations”.

Duties:

• Responsible for provision of peer support services to adults with substance use disorders.
• Provide support through sharing personal life experience of recovery from a substance use disorder by giving resources, personal experiences, support, advocacy, education and coaching.
• Perform screenings and conduct recovery-oriented service planning.
• Work closely with members of the treatment team to include the medical providers, clinicians, case managers and other peer service specialists to provide client perspective.
• Assist clients in developing a Recovery Plan by identifying client’s goals, strengths, and steps toward recovery, to include needed supports.
• Assist clients with general problem solving and development of skills in obtaining services and support through coaching toward an increased sense of responsibility.
• Educate clients about available community resources and advocate for services on behalf of clients as needed.
• Assist in the development and facilitation of recovery-oriented groups, using educational tools and utilizing personal experiences with substance use and/or mental illness.
• Maintain accurate documentation consistent with agency guidelines, grant requirements, and licensure standards.
• Collaborate with multiple programs as part of a treatment team, community services providers, and significant others as necessary.
• Assist clients with developing skills and strategies to prevent relapse of substance addiction and/or mental health symptoms, reconnecting them with their recovery goals.

 

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 2:30pm-11:00 pm

Must have completed the Peer Recovery Specialist 72-hour training class in Virginia.

The City offers a generous benefits package which includes health, dental and life insurance, retirement, and savings plans, maternity/paternity and parental leave, and Holidays and Leave.

Additional requirements:

• DMV Transcript: Yes

• CDL: No

• Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse: No

• CPS Check: Yes

• Physical: No

• Respirator: No

• Psychological Screening: No

• Polygraph: No

• At Will: No

Minimum Requirements:

Minimum Qualifications: Requires any combination of education (above the high school level) and/or experience equivalent to one (1) year in fields utilizing the required knowledge, skills, and abilities OR eligibility for certification as a Peer Recovery Specialist with Virginia DBHDS. Must have a current and valid driver’s license.

Special Requirements: Must be eligible to become a Certified Peer Recovery Specialist (CPRS) in Virginia. Must have completed the Peer Recovery Specialist 72-hour training class in Virginia. All employees may be expected to work hours in excess of their normally scheduled hours in response to short-term department needs and/or City-wide emergencies.

Skills:

Working Conditions:

Per HR Policy 6.19, Americans with Disabilities, the City follows the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in all hiring and employment decisions. The City shall not discriminate on the basis of disability in its hiring and employment practices. The City shall make reasonable accommodations for the known physical or mental limitations of a qualified applicant or employee with a disability upon request unless the accommodation would cause an undue hardship on the operation of the City’s business. 

The Working Conditions Summary is intended to provide a general overview of the environmental conditions inherent in the job setting, as well as the physical, mental, and sensory requirements necessary to perform the essential functions of the position in the noted job profile.  Please copy and paste the URL below into your web browser to view the Working Conditions Summary for this position.

https://workingcondition-summary-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/P11802.pdf

Official Job Descriptions:

To browse official job descriptions, please access this link - https://virginiabeach.gov/careers/job-descriptions-pay-plans?search=&group=E

VRS Contribution: All full-time employees are required to contribute 5% of annual salary toward their retirement account; in accordance with VRS retirement provisions. This will be handled through a pre-tax payroll deduction.

Drug Free Workplace: The City of Virginia Beach maintains a drug free workplace.

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Statement: The City of Virginia Beach is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing a diverse and inclusive work environment. We do not discriminate against any applicant or employee on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other protected status as defined by applicable law.