Certified Recovery Peer Support Specialist (Part-Time)

We are looking for a Part-Time Certified Recovery Peer Support Specialist (CRPSS) to provide peer recovery support to individuals involved in the pretrial and probation system who are working toward recovery from substance use disorders and related challenges. Embedded within Old Dominion Court Services, this role uses lived experience, recovery-oriented principles, and evidence-based peer support practices to engage clients, promote stability, reduce barriers to court compliance, and connect individuals with treatment and community resources.

Working Schedule:

This is a part-time position requiring approximately 24 hours per week.

As a Part-Time Certified Recovery Peer Support Specialist (CRPSS), you will:

• Engage individuals involved in pretrial and probation supervision to provide peer-based recovery support, focusing on motivation, stabilization, and successful compliance with court conditions.
• Connect clients to Medication for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD) services, offering support in navigating appointments, transportation barriers, and treatment readiness.
• Connect clients to professional mental health care, including counseling, psychiatric services, or crisis intervention resources, and assist clients with appointment scheduling and follow-through.
• Facilitate client connection to peer support resources—including recovery groups, peer-led programs, and community recovery organizations.
• Distribute Naloxone kits to individuals at risk of overdose, including education on overdose recognition and response.
• Distribute fentanyl test strips to individuals at risk, including brief harm-reduction education on safe use practices and risk awareness.
• Collaborate regularly with substance use treatment programs, mental health providers, housing resources, social service agencies, and other community partners to ensure coordinated client support. Work closely with pretrial and probation staff to share appropriate information, support case planning, identify barriers affecting compliance, and coordinate referrals to needed services.
• Document all client interactions, referrals, connections, kit distribution, and engagement activities according to grant requirements and agency policy.
• Participate in multidisciplinary meetings, staff check-ins, and community outreach events to strengthen pathways to recovery and increase access to supportive services.
• Uphold recovery-oriented principles, cultural humility, and trauma-informed practices in all interactions.

• High School Diploma or GED equivalent required.
  
• A valid driver's license with an acceptable driving record is preferred
• Must possess and maintain certification as a Certified Recovery Peer Support Specialist (CRPSS) through the Virginia Certification Board or another credential recognized by the Commonwealth of Virginia. 
• Naloxone administration training must be obtained within the timeframe established by the Department if not held upon hire. 
• Trauma-informed care training is preferred.
• Experience providing peer recovery support services, mentoring, advocacy, or case management to individuals with substance use disorders, mental health conditions, or co-occurring disorders is preferred.
• Experience working with justice-involved individuals is preferred.
• Experience collaborating with community-based treatment providers and social service agencies is preferred.
• Experience documenting client services, referrals, and engagement activities in electronic case management or recordkeeping systems is preferred.
• Lived experience in recovery and personal knowledge of the recovery process are strongly preferred.

NRADC Automatic Disqualifiers

Criminal History:

1. Any conviction or plea of guilty or no contest to a felony or any offense that would be a felony if committed in the Commonwealth of Virginia.

2. Any conviction of plea of guilty or no contest to any misdemeanor involving moral turpitude including but not limited to petit larceny under Section 18.2-96 of the Code of Virginia or any offense involving moral turpitude that would be a misdemeanor if committed in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Crimes of moral turpitude include but limited to: fraud, all theft offenses and perjury.

3. Any conviction or plea of guilty or no contest to any misdemeanor sex offense in the Commonwealth of Virginia, another state, or the United States, including but not limited to sexual battery under Section 18.2-67.4 of the Code Of Virginia or consensual sexual intercourse with a minor 15 or older under clause (ii) of Section 18.2-371 of the Code of Virginia, or domestic assault under Section 18.2-57.2 of the Code of Virginia or any offense that would be domestic assault under the laws of another state or the United States.

4. Any conviction that requires the registration in the Virginia Sex Offender Registry.

5. Undetected commission of any of the above crimes, as an adult.

Traffic Violations:

1. Has not held a valid driver’s license for a minimum of two (2) years.

2. Driver’s license suspended or revoked within three years of application.

3. Convicted within the past five years of any of the following:

• Operating under the influence of drugs or alcohol 
• Fleeing or eluding a police officer
• Failure to stop after an accident (hit and run)
• Operating a vehicle with a suspended license
•  Participating in a speed contest or drag race
• Reckless driving or driving to endanger
• Violation of state regulations on implied consent

4. Convicted within the past ten years of any of the following:

• Homicide or manslaughter with a motor vehicle
• Theft or use of a motor vehicle in the commission of felony
• Assault with a motor vehicle
• More than two convictions for motor vehicle moving violations (other than those listed in b above) during the past three years 
• Involvement in two or more avoidable (at fault) accidents during the previous three years

Drugs:

1. The illegal sale or distribution of any illegal drugs in the past 7 years.

2. Any use of a controlled substance listed in Schedule I of Title 54.1 of the Code of Virginia in the past five years from the date of application submission is an automatic disqualifier unless you have successfully completed a drug rehabilitation program. This does not include marijuana.

3. Any illegal use of a controlled substance listed in Schedule II of Title 54.1 of the Code of Virginia in the past two years from the date of application submission is an automatic disqualifier unless you have successfully completed a drug rehabilitation program.

4. The illegal use, possession of marijuana or a derivative thereof within the previous twelve months.   

Illegal drug is defined as set forth in the Federal Controlled Substance Act, 21 U.S.C. §800 et al. and by the Code of Virginia. 

Others:

1. Past or current gang affiliation.

2. Dishonorable discharge from any military service.

3. Untruthfulness and/or the intentional withholding of information on any application, interview, or paperwork associated with the position. Examples of intentional withholding of information would include deliberate inaccuracies or incomplete statements.

4. Intentional failure to follow the directions outlined in the testing process or relying on others to complete any portion of the testing process. 

Note:

This is not intended to be an exhaustive listing of background disqualifiers. Applicants who are successful in the initial testing will undergo a thorough background investigation, including polygraph examination. Areas of concern will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis within the context of the full investigation/review. Examples of areas of concern may include, but are not limited to:

• Reduction of charges as a result of a plea agreement or other form of sentencing disposition prior to a conviction in any of the aforementioned criminal and driving history categories.

• Crimes committed as a juvenile, including undetected crime.

• Patterns of reckless and/or irresponsible driving.

• Multiple convictions of driving under the influence.

• Illegal drug use or possession that does not fall within the parameters defined above, including the use or possession of prescription drugs without a proper prescription.

• Less than honorable military discharge, erratic work record, or unfavorable employment references.

• Pending litigation or prosecution for criminal offenses must be resolved prior to consideration for employment. Some minor offenses are classified as Class 1 misdemeanors (e.g. littering) but would not result in automatic disqualification. 

Convictions of this nature would be evaluated on a case-by-case basis in the context of the full investigation/review.

Physical Demands: The position requires light physical activity, including frequent sitting, standing, walking, bending, reaching, and lifting or carrying materials up to 20 pounds. The employee must have the ability to operate standard office equipment and a computer and possess sufficient visual, hearing, and verbal communication skills to perform the essential functions of the position.

Environmental Conditions: Work is primarily performed in a climate-controlled office environment, with occasional travel to courts, jails, training locations, satellite offices, and other community sites. The position may involve working in criminal justice facilities and interacting with justice-involved individuals, requiring awareness of the risks associated with these environments.

To learn more about Frederick County, Virginia employee benefits, please visit the following webpage:https://www.fcva.us/departments/human-resources/employee-benefits 

All positions are subject to a criminal background check for any convictions that relate to the job duties and responsibilities. Frederick County Virginia Government is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

The County’s EEO Utilization Report is available at www.fcva.us/jobs