POST Certified Peer Recovery Specialist

POSITION SUMMARYu00a0Project SummaryThe Office of Community Health and Safety wasu00a0establishedu00a0to 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 canu00a0assistu00a0community members and first responders in situations that require longer-term support, harm reduction approaches, and other services.u00a0The 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 intenseu00a0caseu00a0management 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 their quality of life.u00a0Jobu00a0Summaryu00a0Certified 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,u00a0mentoru00a0and 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 navigate the healthcare systems. The certified peer recovery specialist will provide long-term support to participants and will developu00a0strong communicationu00a0relationshipsu00a0in order tou00a0ensure 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, theu00a0certified peer recovery specialist must attend andu00a0participateu00a0in the case conferences to share updates,u00a0support,u00a0and connect participants to the necessary services.Peer support specialists self-identify as being in active use or in recovery from substance use, as well as being former or current consumers of behavioral/mental health and recovery services. Therefore, their lived experience helps guide not only the participants but also the case managers and service providers.This position is funded for one (1) year from theu00a0POST SAMSHA Grant. Future years of funding are contingent on grant availability and other funding sources.Department: u00a0Office of Community Health & SafetyPosting Type:u00a0AnnouncementSalary: u00a0$54,260 per year.u00a0Union: u00a0None, this is a non-union position.Civil Service Classification: Exemptu00a0REQUIREMENTSu00a0General Application Requirements:You must submit or show proof of all of the following at the time of filing your application (unless otherwise indicated below) or your application will be disqualified.u00a0Disqualifications based on any of these General Application Requirements areu00a0notu00a0subject to a Civil Service appeal.u00a0- Applicants must submit a complete application including education, work xperience, a resume (if applicable) and completed supplemental questions.u00a0- Applicants must be or become residents of the City of Pittsburgh prior to employment and remain a resident throughout employment. u00a0 - Click to view a map of City of Pittsburgh neighborhoods.u00a0- A current, valid Class C Pennsylvania Driver's License is required prior to appointment and must be maintained throughout employment. Written requests for accommodation based on the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act will be considered by the Department of Human Resources & Civil Service on an individual basis.NOTE:u00a0The City of Pittsburgh, as a matter of policy, conducts pre-employment and promotional background investigations on all candidates being considered for positions. The background investigation includes, but is not limited to, criminal background, driver's license, and City of Pittsburgh real estate tax payments. Candidates may be disqualified from consideration based on the results of their background investigation, as it relates to the job for which the applicant is being considered.u00a0NOTE:u00a0Candidates being considered for employment must submit official transcripts verifying post-secondary education (college/university, trade school, etc.) prior to hire.u00a0Qualifying Requirements:Your work experience and education/training will be evaluated to determine if you meet the qualifying eligibility requirements listed below for this position. u00a0You will receive notice of your eligibility status.- WORK EXPERIENCE: The application must clearly show two (2) years of full-time experience workingu00a0with individuals experiencing substance use issues. (Less than full-time experience will be calculated on a pro-rated basis.)- EDUCATION/TRAINING: The application must clearly show a High School Diploma or equivalentu00a0andu00a0au00a0Certified Recovery Specialist (CRS) or Certified Peer Specialist (CPS) certification. Au00a0bachelor's degree is preferred.u00a0(See NOTE under the General Application Requirements Section aboveu00a0regardingu00a0the verification of education/training).- EQUIVALENCY:u00a0Education/training and/or work experience may be substituted on a year-for-year basis if the application clearly shows the required number of years to meet the Total Qualifying Requirement for this position, based on the sum of work experience and education/training listed above.u00a0The Total Qualifying Requirement isu00a0twou00a0(2) years.u00a0u00a0CIVIL SERVICE EXAMINATIONSu00a0If you meet the qualifying requirements listed above, you will receive a letter of admission (when applicable) for the following examination(s). u00a0You must pass the written and/or performance examination(s) to have your name placed on the official Civil Service eligibility list for this position. u00a0Candidates receiving job offers must pass a medical examination (when applicable) before the date of hire.u00a0- Written: Noneu00a0requiredu00a0for this position.- Performance: Noneu00a0requiredu00a0for this position.```{=html}```- Medical: Noneu00a0requiredu00a0for this position.&

Created: 2026-02-05