Recovery Peer Support Specialist (Community Services Aide, Grade 18) - TERM

This position is a one-year term position; scheduled to end on July 1, 2027. Continued employment in this position is contingent upon renewal of term.

This term position encompasses treatments for persons with substance use disorders, who are involved with the legal/Corrections systems and will provide direct services to inmates at the county correctional facility to facilitate their participation in the Jail Addiction Services (JAS) program.

• Use life experience in addiction’s recovery and skills developed in trainings to develop positive relationships with clients to support their recovery.
• Provide community outreach related to substance abuse treatment and provide ongoing support to client/families via in-person meetings and telephone calls.
• Work collaboratively as part of a multidisciplinary treatment team that includes internal and external behavioral health professionals, medical staff, case managers, correctional staff, and community service provides.
• Maintain good working boundaries with clients and peers.
• Complete timely documentation in electronic health records such as Nextgen and access database.
• Support team and collaborate with treatment planning for recovery.
• Maintain confidentially and follow all required compliance measures with HIPPA and other privacy regulations.
• Provide ongoing support to those seeking recovery in the JAS program as well as those in the jail preparing/returning to join the JAS program.
• Participate in the family outreach which includes education of using NARCAN and distribution of the NARCAN kits to the families visiting the inmates.
• Conduct a recovery peer specialist group and follow up with clients upon release.

The selected candidate will be required to successfully complete a pre-employment medical exam, drug screening, and a background check through the Department of Correction and Rehabilitation.

Certifications: The selected candidate must be able to obtain certification as a Certified Peer Recovery Specialist (CPRS) through the Maryland Addictions Professional Certification Board (MAPCB), and must obtain Narcan training and CPR/First Aid certification.

Work Schedule: This position requires flexibility to work during weekend and evening hours. Outreach activities, recovery support services, and coordination with corrections staff may require work outside of standard business hours.

Driver’s License: This position requires possession of a valid driver's license to travel to County locations, correctional facilities, partner agencies, community sites, and training locations as required for the delivery of peer support services.

Experience: Three (3) years of experience providing delivery of social, health and/or public assistance services.

Education: Completion of high school or High School Certificate of completion recognized in the State of Maryland.

Equivalency: An equivalent combination of education and experience may be substituted.

Background Investigation: Must have the ability to pass the Department of Corrections Background Investigation allowing them to work within the correctional facility.

LICENSE REQUIREMENT: Possession and maintenance of a valid Class C (or equivalent) driver’s license from the applicant’s state of residence.

Medical Protocol: This position requires successful completion of a pre-employment medical evaluation, which includes a physical examination and drug screening.

The applications of those individuals meeting the minimum qualifications will be reviewed to determine the extent, relevancy of training, and experience in the following areas:

• Lived experience in recovery from addiction.
• Experience providing recovery peer support to individuals in recovery.
• Completion of peer support training.
• Training or certification in the use of Narcan (naloxone).
• Experience supporting individuals with substance use disorders who are involved with the legal or corrections system.
• Experience working within a jail, detention center, or secure facility setting.
• Experience documenting client interactions in electronic health record systems such as NextGen.
• Current Certified Peer Recovery Specialist (CPRS) certification (MAPCB) – preferred.
• Current CPR/First Aid certification – preferred.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

The Office of Human Resources (OHR) reviews the minimum qualifications of all applicants, irrespective of whether the candidate has previously been found to have met the minimum requirements for the job or been temporarily promoted to the same position. This evaluation is based solely on the information contained in the application/resume submitted for this specific position.

MCG also provides hiring preference to certain categories of veterans and veterans/persons with a disability. For more information and to claim employment preference, refer to the Careers webpage on Hiring Preference.

All applicants will respond to a series of questions related to their education, relevant experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities required to minimally perform the job. The applicant's responses in conjunction with their resume and all other information provided in the employment application process will be evaluated to determine the minimum qualifications and preferred criteria or interview preference status. Based on the results, the highest qualified applicants will be placed on an Eligible List and may be considered for an interview. Employees meeting minimum qualifications who are the same grade will be placed on the Eligible List as a "Lateral Transfer" candidate and may be considered for an interview.

This will establish an Eligible List that may be used to fill both current and future vacancies.

If selected for consideration for this position, you may be required to provide evidence that you possess the knowledge, skills, and abilities indicated on your resume.

Montgomery County Ethics Law: Except as provided by law or regulation, the County's "Public Employees" (which does not include employees of the Sheriff's office) are subject to the County's ethics law including the requirements to obtain advanced approval of any outside employment and the prohibitions on certain outside employment. The outside employment requirements of the ethics law can be found at 19A-12 of the County Code. Additional information about outside employment can be obtained from the Ethics Commission website.

Please note: The salary range above represents this position’s earning potential. The anticipated hiring range for this position will be $64,104 to $90,993, based on the candidate’s qualifications and experience.

Our generous leave package starts with non-MLS permanent and term employees earning 15 days of sick leave and 15 days of annual leave in their first year, as well as up to three additional personal days each calendar year. Positions in MLS earn 35 days of paid time off each year. In addition, we offer all employees 10 paid holidays. Our leave policies adhere to the Family Medical Leave Act of 1993, and we provide six weeks of paid parental leave for new parents.

All permanent and term positions are eligible for robust retirement plans. Public safety positions are eligible for a defined benefit pension plan in which they are vested after only five years. Employees in non-public safety positions can participate in retirement plans that contribute up to 12 percent of their annual salary. All employees can also participate in a supplemental retirement plan, the 457 Deferred Compensation Plan, to contribute even more to their retirement goals.

Tuition Assistance & Student Loan Forgiveness

Montgomery County employees are eligible to participate in the Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. Participants who meet all requirements may qualify for forgiveness on the remaining balance on their Direct Loans after making 120 qualifying monthly payments under a qualifying repayment plan while working full-time in a qualifying public service position. To learn more about PSLF, please visit the Student Loan Repayment Benefits page. Our tuition assistance program allows you to receive up to $2,130 annually in tuition assistance to help you achieve a degree that supports your career path.

County employees are entitled to use the RideOn Bus service for free with a valid County-employee ID. This benefit can be used any time of the day or evening, including weekends. We also offer a pre-tax flexible spending account to reduce the cost of other mass-transit options such as MARC trains and Metro.

Reduced Child and Health Care Costs

Working for Montgomery County also entitles permanent and term employees to participate in healthcare and childcare Flexible Spending Accounts. These plans allow eligible employees to save on a pretax basis for healthcare and dependent care costs incurred during the plan year.

Employee Wellbeing

We deeply care about your holistic wellness. Our award-winning wellness program, LiveWell, will support you in improving and maintaining your physical, mental, financial, social, and intellectual well-being.

Learn more about our wonderful benefits available to you once you join our team. Montgomery County Benefits

Montgomery County is located adjacent to Washington, D.C., and with over one million residents, is the most populous County in the State of Maryland. The County is also the most diverse County in the State and ranks among the top ten most diverse Counties in the nation. Montgomery County contains many major U.S. government offices, scientific research and learning centers, and business campuses.

The Department of Health and Human Services is responsible for delivery of the County’s public health and human services that meet the needs of our community’s most vulnerable children, adults and seniors. The Department provides services through more than 120 programs at more than 20 locations. With over 2,000 employees, the Department of Health and Human Services is the largest County Department.

As a Department, we believe health and wellness of the county can only be achieved by ensuring that every resident has fair opportunities to reach their fullest potential. This means access to quality housing, transportation, education, employment, health care, human services, safe neighborhoods, and healthy food. HHS provides critical services for residents who face a variety of obstacles in achieving their full potential. HHS plays an essential role in building a healthy and strong community.

If you are interested in being a recovery peer support specialist working for the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services, we invite qualified candidates to apply for our Community Services Aide III position, in Behavioral Health and Crisis Services.