"Peer Recovery Specialist (I – II) – Resident Services"

University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus

School of Medicine | Department of Psychiatry | Addiction Research & Treatment Services (ARTS) | Recovery Residences

Job Title: Peer Recovery Specialist (I – II) – Resident Services

Position #: 00677702 – Requisition: #37576

Job Summary:

The Peer Recovery Specialist is instrumental in providing peer support for adult females and/or adult males residing in the Recovery Residences program. This is a full-time University Staff (non-classified) position that provides activities to engage, educate, and offer support to clients as they navigate steps to embrace a sober lifestyle. This position assists clients with attending appointments in the community once admitted. This position also provides positive support and resources to clients who are transitioning to aftercare programming. This position is responsible for conducting outreach activities, assisting with following up on intake inquiries, keeping clients engaged while awaiting a treatment bed, providing support services and coordination to recovery support services, and traveling to various referral sites such as hospitals, DHS offices, various community locations to meet clients, and perform other duties as assigned or required. Standard working days are Tuesday through Saturday, and this position may be required to work extended hours (for clinic coverage, assisting getting clients into treatment, and/or appointments).

Addiction Research and Treatment Services (ARTS) is the clinical program of the Department of Psychiatry, Division of Substance Dependence at the University of Colorado, School of Medicine. ARTS has provided residential and outpatient empirically supported substance abuse treatment services in Colorado for over 45 years, with an emphasis on psychosocial and pharmacological treatments for adolescents, women, men, families, and those involved in the criminal justice system. It is the mission of ARTS to improve the quality of life and productivity of individuals and families affected by substance use and co-occurring mental health disorders through the application of scientifically supported prevention, education, and treatment services.

The Recovery Residences program provides a safe place to live for up to 20 women (some with children), and 20 men (in a separate house) while they learn the skills needed to be successful and remain sober in the community. Recovery Residences is a grant and Medicaid funded program and provides a safe place to live for adults with their children who suffer from severe substance use and co-occurring mental health disorders. The program provides drug and alcohol assessment, psychosocial and educational services, and links to medication management if needed.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide support to individuals living in Recovery Residence(s) by engaging them in activities and education.
• Offer support to residents struggling to enroll in treatment and follow through with intake appointments.
• Assist resident with attending appointments in the community once admitted.
• Assist residents with making community linkages as they transition into the community.
• Assist with coordination to recovery support services, including traveling to various referral sites such as hospitals, DHS office, various community locations to meet clients.
• Leverage their own lived experience with, and recovery with support from, SUD to encourage and support individuals who may be reluctant or hesitant to embrace a sober lifestyle.
• Be responsive to, and affirmative of, the individualized and differing needs of each patient under their care.

Work Location: Onsite – this role is expected to work onsite and is located at the Ft. Logan Grounds, Denver, CO.

Why Join Us: Addiction Research and Treatment Services (ARTS) is the clinical program of the Division of Substance Dependence, Department of Psychiatry at the University of Colorado, School of Medicine. ARTS has provided residential and outpatient empirically supported substance abuse treatment services in Colorado for over 45 years, with an emphasis on psychosocial and pharmacological treatments for adolescents, women, men, families, and those involved in the criminal justice system. It is the mission of ARTS to improve the quality of life and productivity of individuals and families affected by substance use and co-occurring mental health disorders through the application of scientifically supported prevention, education, and treatment services.

Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications:

• Level I: High school diploma or General Education Diploma (GED).
• Level II: High school diploma or General Education Diploma (GED). One (1) year of experience working closely with patients and connecting them to resources, or an equivalent combination of education and work experience.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Certification as a Peer Specialist (for example, Colorado Peer and Family Specialist/CPFS).
• Current, valid registration with the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA) as Certified Addiction Technician (CAT) license or higher.
• Experience with motivational interviewing techniques.
• Prior experience in Patient Navigation and connecting patients to required services or resources.
• Experience providing support to individuals with substance use disorders.
• Experience working with electronic health records.
• Experience working with clients who are involved with the criminal justice system, probation/parole, human services, and/or other similar referral sources.
• Experience providing administrative support to clients, families, staff, and other stakeholders in a substance abuse treatment setting.

Conditions of Employment: Applicants MUST have lived experience with SUD or addictions, and recovery with existing sobriety supports. Minimum two (2) years of sobriety with existing sober support from SUD or addictions recovery. The employee must successfully complete the CCAR Recovery Coach Academy training within 6-12 months of the hire date (training costs will be borne by employer). Employee must obtain certification as a Peer Specialist (for example, Colorado Peer and Family Specialist/CPFS) within one (1) year of hire date. Must agree to fingerprinting and criminal background check prior to being hired. Required background checks include a review with the Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI), the Central Registry of Child Protection (Trails), and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Subject to pre-employment, post-accident, incident, and/or reasonable suspicion drug and alcohol testing per Addiction Research and Treatment Services Department Policies. Must possess and maintain a valid Colorado Driver's License.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to engage successfully with substance use disordered clients in treatment.
• Ability to comply with established rules, policies and procedures and meet deadlines.
• Ability to develop healthy relationships and boundaries with clients.
• Ability to exercise discretion and maintain patient confidentiality.
• Ability to use an electronic health care record.
• Proficiency utilizing Microsoft Excel to create, revise, update and maintain spreadsheets.
• Proficiency utilizing Microsoft Outlook to create, send and receive e-mail communication.
• Demonstrated critical thinking skills.

How to Apply: For full consideration, please submit the following document(s): 1. A letter of interest describing relevant job experiences as they relate to listed job qualifications and interest in the position. 2. Curriculum vitae / Resume 3. Three to five professional references, including name, address, phone number (mobile number if appropriate), and email address. Questions should be directed to: Irene Arguelles, irene.arguelles@cuanschutz.edu.

Screening of Applications Begins: Applications will be accepted until finalists are identified, but preference will be given to complete applications received by September 30th, 2025.

Anticipated Pay Range: The starting salary range for this position has been established as: Level I: $41,736 – $48,413; Level II: $43,812 – $50,830.