TJJD - Certified Peer Support Specialist I-II - Recovery Coach - (EVN) - 55110

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

The Texas Juvenile Justice Department (TJJD) provides a trauma informed, holistic Substance Use Services (SUS) Specialized Treatment Program to youth committed to the agency who have been assessed as needing SUS treatment in addition to participating in the agency’s Texas Model core treatment programming.

The Certified Peer Support Specialist I-II - Recovery Coach serves as a role model, mentor, advocate, and motivator to individuals engaged in the Substance Use Services Specialized Treatment Program. This position serves youth who have been adjudicated of felony offenses, committed to the agency by a juvenile court, and placed in a high security correctional facility.Duties involve providing non-clinical services intended to aid youth in establishing and maintaining individual recovery from addiction. The recovery coach promotes a recovery-based approach to youth care with an emphasis on respect, self-direction, and empowerment by providing recovery support, personal assistance, education on community resources, and other supportive services for individuals with a substance use disorder (SUD).

May be required to work in excess of 40 hours per workweek, different shift patterns, and travel occasionally.

:This position is in the approved TJJD career ladder for Recovery Coaches.Placement on the career ladder is dependent upon experience, education and certification.Recovery Coaches may be promoted based on meeting the established eligibility criteria per agency policy until they reach the top level of the ladder.Progression to the highest pay level on the career ladder is dependent upon experience and performance.

Pre-Service Training Academy Requirement:Newly hired or rehired recovery coaches who separated more than 18 months will be required to attend the pre-service training academy.Recovery coaches who have worked for TJJD and return to employment within 18 months of their separation date are not required to attend the pre-service academy and will be placed in full-time status on their date of employment.

Levels of Work Performed by Career Ladder Level:

Certified Peer Support Specialist I- Recovery Coach:Performs complex (journey-level) peer support work under moderate supervision with limited latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment. Does not have certification at this level, but may be working towards certification.

Certified Peer Support Specialist II- Recovery Coach:Performs advanced (senior-level) peer support work under minimal supervision with extensive latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment. Has certification as a peer coach.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

Provides peer support in a positive and supportive manner through coaching, role modeling and mentoring in order to assist members in developing skills to achieve their goals.

Maintain confidentiality and standards of ethical practice.

Attend any and all meetings and trainings held in the SUS department.

Works in collaboration with the transitional placement staff (Halfway House PSW, Parole, and SUS Specialized Treatment Program Specialist) to identify appropriate services, such as SUS aftercare.

Conducts and facilitates required groups permitted by recovery coaches, SUS psycho-educational groups, and participation in some family contact; and retrieves youth for group and return them in accordance with CMS

Participates in staff development relating to the agency’s approved treatment program, group facilitation, CMS, SUS specific training, substance abuse training, and renews annual mandatory training requirements.

Reads, reviews, and properly applies information found in youth records related to youth health, safety, and security; provides appropriate information to the SUS staff; and complies with policies, procedures, rules, and regulations.

Prepares and maintains records, forms, and reports, as required by CMS and the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS).

Assists the SUS provider during the time the youth is enrolled in treatment by identifying individual treatment goals, maintaining consistent communication with the SUS provider to ensure the youth is progressing in treatment, including participation in groups, progress, transition plans etc.

Performs all duties in compliance with agency safety policies and procedures:

• Reports safety hazards and corrects hazards when possible.

Will be required to travel up to 20% of the time.

Actively embody and support the Texas Model by demonstrating its core values in daily tasks and interactions with others.

Qualifications

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Requirements for Certified Peer Support Specialist I - Recovery Coach:

High school graduation or a GED from an accredited organization, or

No experience required.

Requirements for Certified Peer Support Specialist II - Recovery Coach:

High school graduation or a GED from an accredited organization or Associate’s or Bachelor’s Degree with major course work in Clinical Psychology, Psychology, Sociology, Social Work, Family Relations, Guidance and Counseling, Rehabilitation, or other related social sciences* field.

One (1) year of full-time wage-earning experience providing recovery coaching services. Certified in the State of Texas as one of the following:

·Peer Recovery Support Specialist - (PRSS), or

·Recovery Support Peer Specialist- (RSPS) (Preferred)

The following applies to Certified Peer Support Specialist I-II - Recovery Coach

Any degree, diploma, high school equivalent, or course hours required to meet minimum qualifications must be from an accredited educational institution.

Requirements:

·Must be at least 23 years of age.

·Must be in good standing with the certification agency.

Preferred:

·Experience working with multi-disciplinary teams.

·Experience in substance use programs within a correctional setting.

·Experience providing substance use recovery coaching services to adolescents.

·Have certification or are working towards certification as a Recovery Support Peer Specialist- (RSPS) (Preferred)

Experience and Education Substitutions:

• Pro-rated part-time experience may satisfy the experience requirements.

* Social Science degrees include:Clinical Psychology, Psychology, Sociology, Social Work, Family Relations, Guidance and Counseling, Rehabilitation, Criminal Justice, Education (or education certification).

• pre-employment drug test;
• finger printing, criminal records check, and TB testing;
• Fitness-for-Duty Assessment which may include both physical and behavior evaluations.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

·Knowledge of substance use and alcoholism, addiction, co-dependency, and related disorders.

·Knowledge of recovery Coaching techniques.

·Knowledge of recovery processes.

·Knowledge of community resources.

·Knowledge of SUS program policies and procedures.

·Knowledge of adolescent behavior and counseling and guidance techniques.

·Knowledge of recovery and wellness support

·Knowledge of mentoring

·Knowledge of advocacy

·Skill in advocacy interviewing, active listening, and counseling clients/patients.

·Skill in acting quickly in emergencies.

·Skill in using a computer and applicable software.

·Skill in maintaining accurate records and files.

·Skill in de-escalation skills with youth in a crisis situation.

·Skill in mentoring.

·Skill in being a role model.

• Skill in Implement rehabilitative recovery skills and mentoring youth in SUS programs.
• Ability to assess youth needs.
• Ability to coordinate client services.
• Ability to monitor youth participation.
• Ability to maintain communication with SUS providers.
• Ability to prepare youth for groups.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to organize workloads and set priorities to carry out assigned tasks.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
• Ability to willingness to physically restrain youth in the appropriate manner.

·Ability to gather, assemble, correlate, and analyze facts.

• Ability to work collaboratively with all stakeholders and maintain a professional, courteous demeanor.
• Ability to work occasionally: may work in excess of 40 hours per workweek, may work different shift patterns, may be on-call, and travel collaboratively with all stakeholders and maintain a professional, courteous demeanor.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING CONDITIONS

Analyzing

Ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing

Ability to see

Ability to hear (with or without aid)

Ability to perform tactile discernment

Identify colors

Depth perception

Operate motor equipment

Lifting up to 25 lbs.

Carrying up to 25 lbs.

Restraining combative youth

Climbing stairs

Climbing ladders

Pulling

Pushing

Repeated bending

Reaching above shoulder

Walking

Standing

Sitting

Twisting

Kneeling

Stooping

Finger/manual dexterity

Dual simultaneous grasping

Benefits include: Retirement plan, paid group health & life insurance for employee, paid holidays, paid vacation leave, paid sick leave, longevity pay, educational assistance program, employee assistance program. Optional add-on benefits include: Dental, Vision, Optional Life Insurance, Voluntary AD&D Insurance, Dependent Health & Life insurance, Health & Dependent care flexible spending accounts, etc. Additionally, certain designated positions are eligible for hazardous duty pay, career ladder advancements, and free meals while on duty.