Peer Support Specialist - Criminal Justice Systems

Job Summary

Salt Lake County…A career with a purpose in the community you love!

Salt Lake County invites you to explore our exciting career opportunities. We seek highly enthusiastic individuals to enrich our County with your experience and talent. If you enjoy working in a team environment that is committed to changing the lives of its community, please keep reading.

What it is like to work here:

At Salt Lake County our culture is woven into all aspects of our work and our employees’ lives, from the way we treat each other to the way we support the community.  To promote and foster a fun and healthy work environment, we appreciate employees through great benefits, a healthy work life balance and room to grow and develop.

Surround yourself with:

Peers who are motivated to make a difference in the lives of those we serve. We serve Salt Lake County and envision a safe and beautiful place for all to live, work and have fun. Salt Lake County is about connecting people and championing our community.  Community is more than a place….its our heart and service that bring us together.

We encourage a work life balance:

Working for Salt Lake County is more than just a paycheck.  A career with /Salt Lake County includes several benefits and perks.  We support our employees with 12 Holidays, up to 24 vacation days, 12 sick days and one personal day every year.  

Additional Benefits include:

• Retirement options for hybrid pension/401(k) or 401(k) only with a 10% contribution
• Medical coverage including a 100% county paid premium option-Dental and Vision coverage including coverage for adult designees
• Health Savings account with a county contribution up to $1200/year, Flexible Spending Account
• 100% county-paid Long-Term Disability and Short-Term Disability option
• Professional Development including professional membership fees paid
• Plus: Onsite medical clinic, childcare and gym; hospital insurance, pet insurance auto and home insurance and discounts at County facilities. 

For Benefits information Click HERE 

To estimate how much your pay and benefits could be worth use our Total Rewards Estimator

Join our team in a career that centers on alternatives to incarceration, evidence-based practices and community collaboration. We focus on community safety through positive behavior change and supporting individuals involved in the justice system. Our services address the underlying issues that lead to criminal behavior and provide the opportunity for change.

Peer Support Specialists with Criminal Justice Services do work that really matters.  Peer Support Specialists will assist clients develop pro-social skills by utilizing evidence-based practices that have lasting behavior changes.  We value teamwork, collaboration with community partners, accountability, a client-focused approach, a safe and supportive environment, empowerment, and continued professional development opportunities. We hire the most knowledgeable and experienced employees in the industry.

At Salt Lake County, we do not just accept individual difference; we value and support it to create a culture of dignity and respect for our employees. We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Not only does Salt Lake County offer an excellent benefits package, but it is also an incredible place to call home and enjoy a quality lifestyle!

JOB SUMMARY

Supports program participants in recovery from mental health and/or substance use disorder. Serves as a role model, mentor, advocate and motivator to recover individuals to help prevent relapses and promote long-term recovery.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

High School diploma or GED required.

Must have a strong working knowledge of the drug and alcohol treatment system and a demonstrated commitment to the recovery community.

Must obtain knowledge/training to provide a trauma- informed approach utilizing trauma-specific   interventions when responding to clients in crisis within one (1) year of hire date.

Must have a Certification as a Certified Peer Support Specialist/Peer Recovery Coach from an approved curriculum.

Preference will be given to applicants who are bilingual in English and Spanish.

Must obtain and maintain security clearance through the Salt Lake County Jail.

Due to the nature of this position, the successful applicant must pass a required background check through fingerprinting and enrollment in the continuous RAP Back (Record of Arrest and Prosecution Back) program in accordance with current County Human Resources policy requirements.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Provides a model for both people in recovery and staff by demonstrating that recovery is possible.
• Assists program participants to identify their personal interests, goals, strengths regarding recovery.
• Assists participants in identifying barriers & potential support to critical/essential needs.
• Supports agency and jail staff in planning for services for clients, through face-to-face meetings and facilitation of group discussions.
• Assists in connecting clients with community-based support resources, behavioral health services, and other ancillary services.
• Provides recovery education to program participants and their family members/support persons for every phase of the recovery journey from pre-recovery engagement, recovery initiation, recovery stabilization, and sustained recovery maintenance.
• Develops collaborative and supportive relationships with community groups and agencies in partnership with agency. Collects and distributes community-based recovery group meeting literature and schedules as needed.
• Maintains documentation, logs, reports and records of client interactions and services provided in appropriate files and database(s).

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSA)

Knowledge of:

• Basic structure of the criminal justice system
• Community resources for substance abuse treatment and recovery support, as well as knowledge in relation to factors which support long-term substance abuse recovery
• State and Federal mandates
• The signs and effects of substance abuse on individuals as well as their children and family members

Skills and Abilities to:

• Build rapport with clients and engage them in case management
• Adhere to Utah Peer Support Specialist Code of Ethics & CPSS Core Competencies.
• Maintain confidentiality and adheres to Utah Peer Support Specialist Code of Ethics & Core Peer Support Competencies (CPSS)
• Assist individuals in building a support system
• Establishing trusting relationships with individuals from diverse backgrounds and cultures
• Maintain a calm demeanor working with potentially high distress population.
• Communicate effectively with a variety of individuals including colleagues, court personnel, case managers, treatment providers and client population
• Maintain appropriate boundaries with participants.
• Use computer office equipment related to job-specific duties

"Please note that this job posting is for multiple Time Limited Peer Support Specialist openings.”

Minimum Qualifications

IMPORTANT INFORMATION REGARDING THIS POSITION

Time-limited Appointed employees will perform work for a specified amount of time dependent on agency funding. They are exempted by law from the rights of a merit employee and work as an at will employee.

WORKING CONDITIONS AND PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

This position is located at the Salt Lake County Jail.  Will work in a secure facility and may have a shared workspace. Some travel to government center and off-site locations may be required.