Opportunities at Heart Rock recovery center

Reports To: Executive Director of Heart Rock Justus Family Recovery Center

Position summary

The Peer Recovery Coach at Heart Rock Recovery House provides non-clinical, trauma-informed, and strengths-based peer support to women in early recovery from substance use disorder (SUD). Drawing on lived experience, this role engages, mentors, and empowers participants as they stabilize, build recovery capital, and connect to treatment, services, and community supports. This position operates within the scope of peer support services and does not include clinical diagnosis or therapy.

Key responsibilities

• Build trusting, respectful relationships with women in early recovery using shared lived experience and recovery principles.
• Provide one-to-one peer coaching: goal-setting, recovery planning, coping skills, relapse prevention, crisis support, and motivational encouragement.
• Offer support during crises through de-escalation and connection to appropriate clinical or emergency services as needed.
• Facilitate and co-lead peer support groups and recovery-oriented activities.
• Conduct outreach and engagement (phone, in-person, community locations) to reduce barriers to participation.
• Assist residents in accessing and navigating services: treatment referrals, medication-assisted treatment (if applicable), mental health services, housing, childcare, employment, benefits, legal resources, transportation, and healthcare.
• Provide referrals and resources for parenting and family support for women with caregiving responsibilities.
• Model healthy recovery behaviors and support connect with local recovery communities and mutual-help groups.
• Coordinate with clinical teams, case managers, social workers, and community partners while maintaining appropriate boundaries.
• Document contacts, referrals, and progress notes in the agency record system within required timeframes in alignment with program and compliance standards.
• Adhere to confidentiality, HIPAA, mandatory reporting, and organizational policies.
• Participate in supervision, team meetings, training, and ongoing professional development.
• Help identify gaps in services for Heart Rock residents and provide feedback to improve program services.

Qualifications Required

• Personal lived experience with recovery from substance use disorder, with the ability to apply that experience appropriately and professionally in a peer support role; a minimum of two years in stable recovery is preferred.
• High school diploma or equivalent required; some college or relevant coursework preferred.
• Certified Recovery Peer Specialist or Peer Recovery Coach certification required, or willingness to obtain within specified timeframe after being hired in accordance with state requirements.
• Basic computer skills for documentation and communication.
• Must be able to pass the Department of Child Services and criminal background check
• Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation preferred, if the role includes community-based outreach.

Qualifications Preferred

• Experience working with women, trauma-informed care, co-occurring mental health conditions, parenting/family systems, or justice-involved populations.
• Training in motivational interviewing, CPR/first aid, naloxone administration.
• Bilingual skills or cultural competency with target population.

Skills and attributes

• Strong empathy, active listening, and a nonjudgmental, person-centered approach.
• Ability to establish and maintain professional boundaries.
• Crisis de-escalation and basic safety skills.
• Strong organizational skills, reliability, and adaptability.
• Willingness to work a flexible schedule, including evenings and weekends as needed.
• Commitment to trauma-informed, client-centered, and harm reduction approaches.

Working Conditions

• On-site community-based role with a mix of office, outreach, home, and virtual visits.
• Flexible schedule that may include evenings, weekends, and travel within the service area.
• Regular exposure to individuals experiencing crisis, trauma, or instability, requiring a calm and professional approach.
• Supportive supervision and access to ongoing training and self-care resources.

Equal opportunity statement

Overdose Lifeline is an equal opportunity employer committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce. We strongly encourage individuals of all backgrounds and recovery pathways to apply and recognize lived experience as a valuable and essential qualification for this role.

How to apply

If you are passionate about supporting families in recovery and advocating for the well-being of mothers and children affected by substance use disorder, we encourage you to apply.

Please submit a resume, cover letter describing lived recovery experience and interest in recovery work, and contact information for two references to James D’Imperio at james@overdoselifeline.org