TJJD - Certified Peer Support Specialist -II - Recovery Coach HSC

Certified Peer Support Specialist I–II – Recovery Coach

The Texas Juvenile Justice Department (TJJD) provides a trauma‑informed, holistic Substance Use Services (SUS) Specialized Treatment Program to youth committed to the agency. The Recovery Coach serves as a role model, mentor, advocate, and motivator to individuals engaged in the SUS program.

El Paso, Texas

Essential duties include:

• Provide peer support, coaching, and mentoring to youth to aid in recovery from addiction.
• Maintain confidentiality and adhere to ethical standards.
• Attend all meetings and trainings in the SUS department.
• Collaborate with transitional placement staff to identify appropriate services, such as SUS aftercare.
• Conduct and facilitate recovery‑support groups, psycho‑educational groups, and certain family contacts.
• Participate in staff development and renewable mandatory training.
• Review youth records and convey pertinent information to SUS staff.
• Prepare and maintain records, forms, and reports required by CMS and the Texas Department of State Health Services.
• Assist the SUS provider by identifying treatment goals and maintaining communication to ensure progress.
• Report and correct safety hazards.
• Travel up to 20% of the time and may work varying shifts, on‑call, or beyond 40 hours per week.
• Demonstrate the Texas Model core values in daily tasks.

Minimum requirements

• High‑school graduation or GED from an accredited institution.
• No prior experience required for Level I.
• For Level II:
  Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree with coursework in Clinical Psychology, Psychology, Sociology, Social Work, Family Relations, Guidance and Counseling, Rehabilitation, or related social sciences.
• One year of full‑time wage‑earning experience providing recovery coaching services.
• Certification in Texas as either Peer Recovery Support Specialist (PRSS) or Recovery Support Peer Specialist (RSPS) – the latter preferred.
• At least 23 years of age.
• In good standing with the certification agency.

Preferred

• Experience working with multidisciplinary teams.
• Experience in substance‑use programs within a correctional setting.
• Experience providing recovery coaching to adolescents.
• Certification or work toward certification as RSPS.

• Knowledge of substance use, addiction, co‑dependency, and related disorders.
• Knowledge of recovery coaching techniques and recovery processes.
• Knowledge of community resources and SUS program policies.
• Knowledge of adolescent behavior and counseling techniques.
• Skill in advocacy, active listening, counseling, de‑escalation, and mentoring.
• Ability to use computer and maintain accurate records.
• Ability to assess, coordinate, and monitor youth participation.
• Ability to communicate effectively, organize workloads, and establish relationships.
• Ability to safely restrain youth when necessary.

• Lifting up to 25 lbs., carrying up to 25 lbs., climbing stairs and ladders.
• Ability to perform tactile discernment, visual and auditory tasks, and sustained standing and walking.
• Potential to work in excess of 40 hours per week, on variable shifts, and on call.

• Retirement plan, paid health & life insurance, paid holidays, vacation, sick leave, longevity pay, educational assistance, employee assistance.
• Optional benefits:
  Dental, Vision, optional life insurance, voluntary AD&D, dependent health & life insurance, HSA/FSA.
• Hazardous duty pay, career ladder advancement, and free meals on duty for designated positions.

• Certified Peer Support Specialist I – Recovery Coach: complex peer support under moderate supervision, eligibility for certification.
• Certified Peer Support Specialist II – Recovery Coach: advanced peer support under minimal supervision, requires state certification.

• Pre‑service training academy required for newly hired or rehired coaches separated >18 months.
• Recovery coaches returning within 18 months are not required to attend the academy.
• Pre‑employment drug test, fingerprinting, criminal records check, TB testing, and fitness‑for‑duty assessment.