POST Certified Peer Recovery Specialist - City of Pittsburgh

Project Summary

The Office of Community Health and Safety was established to address longstanding health, safety, and justice issues in the City of Pittsburgh. The office is tasked with redirecting city resources to better address community needs by housing social services, public health, and social work experts who can assist community members and first responders in situations that require longer-term support, harm reduction approaches, and other services.The Office of Community Health and Safety is developing programs that properly address individuals’ health and safety needs, guided by evidence-based practices and community input. This includes hiring social workers, outreach workers, and other professionals to connect residents with services that will provide long-term support and address the root causes of the challenges that they face. 

The Post Overdose Support Team (POST) is a collaborative program involving local first-responders, certified peer recovery specialists, case managers, treatment providers, and social service providers designed to provide supports to individuals who have experienced an overdose and refused medical care. The POST initiative for the City of Pittsburgh will provide people with substance use disorder and co-occurring needs with person-centered social services and intense case management focused on harm reduction and compassion in lieu of criminalization and stigmatization. These individuals will be engaged in supportive services with the goal of reducing their likelihood of experiencing another overdose and improving quality of life.

Job Summary

Certified peer recovery specialists are essential members of the POST team, as they help the case managers navigate the complexities of being in active use, the effects of overdosing, and the complexities of behavioral/mental health challenges. Certified peer recovery specialists will empower individuals in active use to self-advocate for their needs and ensure access to services and support. Within the POST unit the certified peer recovery specialist will advocate, mentor and help participants cope with stressors and overcome barriers. Additionally, they will guide the case managers in the complexities of being in active use and help coordinate access to services and navigating the healthcare systems. The certified peer recovery specialist will provide long term support to participants and will develop strong communication relationships in order to ensure they are receiving the necessary care and services. They will aid participants in goal setting, building strengths and ensuring they have access to the desired services. Lastly, the certified peer recovery specialist must attend and participate in the case conferences to share updates, support and connect participants to the necessary services.

Certified peer recovery specialists self-identify as being in active use or in recovery of substance use as well as being former or current consumers of behavioral/mental health and recovery services. Therefore, their lived experience help guide not only the participants but the case managers and service providers.

Department:  Office of Community Health & Safety

Posting Type: Announcement

Salary:  $54,260 per year. 

Union:  None, this is a non-union position.

Civil Service Classification: Exempt