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Position Title: Peer Support Specialist - Overdose Prevention

Salary: Hourly: $21.63 || Annual: $45,000.00

How to Apply:

Applications are submitted online until the position is filled and/or the posting is closed. After reviewing this job announcement, please click on the link at the bottom of the page to apply online. A resume is required with the application. Further instructions on submission of documents are available in the online application. A resume may not be substituted for an application.

Minimum Requirements:
  • High school diploma or GED


Necessary Special Requirements

  • Possession of a valid automobile operator's license and the use of an automobile during working hours. You must be able to provide your own transportation to and from the various worksites throughout Allegheny County. You will be required to travel.
  • Within six (6) months of hire date, it is required that the certification of Pennsylvania Certified Recovery Specialist (CRS) is achieved/completed. 


Education & School Transcripts

If you are claiming education to meet minimum requirements or as a part of your application, including supplemental questions, you must submit or attach a copy of your official college transcripts for your claim to be accepted. Unofficial Transcripts will not be accepted. 

Condition of Employment

It is the policy of Allegheny County that in order to receive a final offer of employment, candidates must successfully pass a background check, which includes verification of Allegheny County Real Estate Tax status.

Employment Type

  • Full-time, Associate Level.


Grant funded positions are contingent upon grant funding

Relevant Experience

You will receive a score based on the experience you report on your application for employment. It is therefore important that you provide complete and accurate information. Failure to do so may delay the processing of your application or result in a lower than deserved score or disqualification. Call our Office of Human Resource Management if you have any questions.

Who is Eligible

Applications will be accepted from certified Merit System employees of the Allegheny County Health Department and outside candidates who possess the experience and training listed in this announcement and who are capable of performing the duties of this position.

Weights

  • Minimum Requirements - 35%
  • Relevant Skills & Education - 35%
  • Supplemental Questions - 30%


Supplemental Questions

Per the weights (above), the responses to these questions are a significant portion of how an application is scored and hold high value in screening candidates. For these pre-interview questions, in order to provide a thorough/full answer, a typical structure to an interview answer is recommended to be used, i.e. STAR approach (1. Situation/Setting, 2. Task(s) that you were tasked to do, 3. Actions which you took, 4. The result(s) of your actions).

You may upload as a Word document answers to the supplemental questions in the “Upload Page” of the application. Make sure to note “See attached” after the statement on the application form if you are attaching a separate document. If you are unable to upload the document, email to ACHD Human Resources Department.

  1. Describe your experience identifying community resources/recovery support services for people interested in or new to recovery. How have you worked with individuals to engage them with recovery support services?
  2. Describe your experience educating individuals on the following topics: harm reduction, naloxone administration, MOUD treatment (methadone, buprenorphine (Suboxone), naltrexone (Vivitrol).
  3. Describe any other topics you have educated individuals and/or groups on as it relates to recovery.


Allegheny County Civil Service Employees (Non-ACHD)

Regular or probationary employees of County Departments currently in this classification, hired under a State Civil Service System, who apply for this position will not be considered as Open Competitive applicants. Those employees selected for transfer to the Allegheny County Health Department will be considered to have resigned their Civil Service status from the Department in which they are currently working and will be required to complete a probationary period with the Health Department.

This announcement may be modified, amended or canceled by the Allegheny County Health Department at any time.

Purpose

To establish open competitive and promotional eligible lists for use in making merit system appointments in the Allegheny County Health Department. The list will contain the names of successful candidates ranked in the order of final earned ratings. The list will be in effect for one (1) year unless previously exhausted or superseded.

In the ranking, open competitive applicants qualifying for Veteran’s Preference receive an additional ten points on the final earned rating. Form DD-214 must be attached to the application form for consideration for Veteran’s Preference. Determination of Veteran’s Preference is made in accordance with State Civil Service Policy.

If you are claiming veteran's preference, then proof of eligibility; DD-214 Form or other comparable military document must be submitted for initial claim. The document must show dates of entry and separation and character of service.

Credit for a degree or college coursework can only be accepted from an official transcript submitted directly from the college or university to Allegheny County Health Department.

Reasonable Accommodations Statement

To accomplish this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform, with or without reasonable accommodation, each essential function satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to help enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

#INDSJ

Position Summary:

This is a full-time position with the Allegheny County Health Department. The Peer Support Specialist will provide education and resources to individuals and communities in Allegheny County that have been affected by the overdose epidemic, with a focus on communities in the Mon Valley. This role will focus on engaging individuals with substance use disorder and providing peer support.

Overview:

Fringe Benefits

  • Paid holidays, personal days, vacation and sick leave benefits, medical coverage and dental benefits, a retirement plan, life insurance and a deferred compensation plan after eligibility requirements have been met.


Perks Working for ACHD

  • Professional growth through training opportunities (CPR, First AID, Public Health Preparedness, Dignity and Respect, Points of Dispensing, and more); ability to advance in county system; job security; meaningfulness in daily work derived from public service; eligible for federal loan forgiveness; organizational commitment to ACHD’s mission to protect, promote, and preserve the health and well-being of all Allegheny County residents, particularly the most vulnerable.
Duties:

  • Meeting with participants face-to-face and by phone.
  • Documenting interactions with participants using required tracking sheets, forms and systems.
  • Participating in department team meetings and huddles.
  • Identifying local community resources including job readiness, educational, vocational, medical, mental, housing, and family support.
  • Supporting participants during referrals, including making warm handoffs to services and community organizations.
  • Traveling locally to treatment facilities, recovery houses, court, worksites, and program sites to outreach to participants.
  • Training and educating participants and various stakeholders on Narcan administration, harm reduction strategies and other relevant topics.
  • Conducting street outreach in communities with high overdose rates with community and County partners. 
  • Supporting community-based naloxone distribution and tracking overdose reversals. 
  • Representing ACHD at meetings with partners and tabling at community events. 
  • Assisting with administrative tasks, such as developing resources and referrals, managing spreadsheets, updating the community calendar, etc. 
  • Perform related work as instructed & required.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge of:

  • Methods of Community Outreach
  • Substance Use and Recovery Lived Experiences
  • The techniques involved in preparing and displaying posters, exhibits, and other educational visual aids.
  • The facilities, media, methods and techniques of disseminating educational information to the public.
  • The function of community health agencies.
Skill in:

  • Community Outreach
  • Community Engagement
  • Overdose Prevention
  • Interpersonal Communication 
  • Public Relations 
  • Community Health 
  • Family Services 
  • Report Writing
  • Microsoft Office
  • Public Health 
Ability to:

  • Support individuals with substance use disorders
  • Establish and maintain effective working relationships with local health officials, associates, professional and lay groups and the general public. 
  • Speak and write in a manner necessary to promote public health policies. 
  • Present ideas accurately, effectively and concisely, both orally and in writing.
  • Use initiative and resourcefulness in gathering data and composing articles and speeches on public health topics.
  • Analyze the health education problems of community groups.
  • Travel to and from work locations to carry out the responsibilities of the position.
  • Respond to Public Health emergencies. 
Residency: Allegheny County within 1 year.
Veterans' Preference: Will be awarded to eligible candidates.
AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER - M/F/V/D


Apply Online