The Peer Wellness & Recovery Specialist provides engagement, peer support, advocacy, wellness coaching, recovery support, and resource navigation to individuals accessing the Ocean County Code Red and Code Blue Emergency Weather Response Programs. Drawing upon lived experience, the Peer Specialist promotes hope, recovery, resilience, self-determination, and community integration while supporting participants in accessing housing, healthcare, behavioral healthcare, substance use treatment, employment, benefits, and other community resources. Services are delivered using trauma-informed, person-centered, recovery-oriented, and strengths-based practices consistent with the Certified Peer Recovery Specialist Code of Ethics.

Position Title: Peer Wellness & Recovery Specialist
Position Type: Full Time
Benefits Eligible: Yes
Department: Code Red/Code Blue
Location: Toms River, NJ

Responsibilities:

• Provides peer support, coaching, and wellness/recovery groups using strengths-based, person-centered, trauma-informed, and harm-reduction approaches.
• Supports individuals in identifying and achieving wellness and recovery goals, including coping strategies and relapse/return-to-use prevention.
• Provides case management and connects individuals to benefits, food, transportation, and other community resources.
• Assists with referrals, applications, follow-up, warm handoffs, and coordination with community service providers.
• Connects individuals to substance use treatment and recovery services, including detox, residential, outpatient, sober living, and self-help programs.
• Builds relationships with community partners, recovery supports, and local stakeholders through community outreach and events.
• Assists individuals experiencing homelessness with accessing shelters, housing, recovery housing, and other housing resources; provides transportation as needed.
• Uses trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and non-stigmatizing communication while promoting safety, trust, dignity, collaboration, voice, and choice.
• Provides crisis intervention and de-escalation within the scope of training; participates in assigned Code Blue and Code Red coverage and seeks additional support when needed.
• Maintains accurate documentation and confidentiality; participates in required meetings and trainings and supports safe Center operations in accordance with agency policies and scope of practice.

Requirements

• High School Diploma or equivalent required.
• Certified Peer Recovery Specialist (CPRS) preferred.
• Candidates actively pursuing CPRS certification or other recognized peer support credentials will be considered.
• Ability to work flexible hours, including assigned Code Red and Code Blue emergency weather activations, evenings, weekends, holidays, and other emergency response assignments as required.
• Experience providing peer support, recovery services, homelessness services, behavioral healthcare, substance use disorder services, or other human service programs preferred.
• Lived experience in recovery and/or homelessness preferred.
• Willingness to transport participants as needed.

Benefits

• Full Benefits
• 12 Paid Holidays
• Sick Days
• Personal Days
• Days Accrued Vacation
• Medical/Dental/Vision
• Company paid Life Insurance and Long-Term Disability
• 403B Plan with Company Match
• Opportunities for training/education/Continuing Education Credits
• Opportunities for Public Loan Forgiveness
• Opportunities for Tuition Discounts from Participating Institutions