Unity Recovery Youth Peer Support Specialist Weatherford, TX · Full time Company website

Apply for Youth Peer Support Specialist

Recovery is a reality for over 22 million Americans with past substance use concerns, over 40 million in mental health recovery, and countless more millions across the globe. We truly believe that recovery is individual, dynamic, and ultimately, best directed by the individual with support from their community.

With this philosophy in mind, Unity Recovery was founded to be an inclusive recovery community organization and community center for everyone. We offer non-clinical, peer-based recovery support services in our communities to support individuals and family members on their paths of recovery.

Vision: We envision a world where recovery is no longer hidden in the shadows and the millions of Americans with mental health and substance use disorders are celebrated and supported.
Mission: To provide inclusive community-based recovery support services and education for all individuals in or seeking recovery.

The Peer Support Specialist (PSS) will provide peer recovery support services to youth ages 13–21 at Unity Recovery’s Youth Recovery Community (YRC) program, a program of the Weatherford Recovery Community Center (RCC). This role is part of Unity’s innovative youth-focused programming, combining structured LifeSkills Training (LST), peer support services, pro-social engagement, and family involvement to help young people build recovery capital, reduce risk, and thrive in their communities.

As a peer with lived and living experience, the PSS will serve as a relatable role model, mentor, advocate, navigator, and motivator for youth in or seeking recovery. They will help participants set and achieve personal goals, strengthen protective factors, and connect with supportive resources both inside and outside the RCC. This role requires creativity in engaging youth through recreational programming (e.g., gaming, arts, community service), strong facilitation skills for group education, and a commitment to trauma-informed and culturally responsive practices. A background check is required due to direct work with minors.

Minimum Requirements/Qualifications:

• Recovery Support Peer Specialist (RSPS), Peer Recovery Support Specialist (PRSS), Certified Peer Specialist, or eligibility to earn within 6 months of hire.
• At least one (1) year of experience providing peer recovery support in community or youth-serving settings.
• Experience engaging and supporting adolescents or young adults (ages 13–21).
• High degree of technological literacy, including use of RecoveryLink, CMBHS, and digital communication platforms.
• Knowledge of electronic gaming platforms such as computers, consoles, headsets, and virtual reality.
• Reliable and insured personal transportation.
• Must be able pass a background check to work with minors.

*Don’t meet every single requirement? Studies have shown that women, people of color, and those who identify as LGBTQ+, are less likely to apply to jobs if they don’t meet every single qualification. At Unity Recovery, we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive and authentic workplace, so if you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.

Essential Duties:

• Provide individual and group-based peer support services for youth participants 5 days a week in person.
• Facilitate LifeSkills Training (LST) sessions adapted for youth in recovery, teaching decision-making, coping skills, communication, and resilience.
• Build authentic, supportive relationships with participants through empathy, active listening, and relatable lived experience.
• Develop individualized recovery and wellness plans with youth, incorporating appropriate recovery pathways and personal goals.
• Support pro-social engagement through recreational and structured activities (gaming, arts, service projects, community events).
• Provide family engagement support by facilitating workshops and involving caregivers in recovery programming.
• Deliver overdose prevention education and distribute naloxone when appropriate.
• Participate in daily debriefs, weekly supervision, and monthly group supervision.
• Complete timely, accurate documentation in RecoveryLink and CMBHS, and support program reporting requirements.
• Collaborate with schools, juvenile justice programs, and youth-serving nonprofits to enhance referral pathways and participant support.
• Conduct services ethically and in accordance with the recovery bill of rights and trauma-informed practices.

Daily Job Responsibilities:

• Facilitate structured group sessions (LST, recovery skills, wellness education).
• Provide one-on-one mentoring and peer recovery support to youth participants.
• Support crisis identification and intervention, connecting youth to appropriate resources.
• Assist youth in identifying strengths, needs, and goals while building leadership and resilience.
• Actively identify and support linkages to community resources (education, vocational training, social and cultural supports, mutual aid, clinical providers).
• Support youth leadership development and community engagement projects.
• Maintain service logs, reports, and accurate participant records.
• Engage in professional development and maintain active peer credentials.
• Other duties as directed by the Peer Supervisor, Program Director, or Site Director.

Compensation: $36,000 – $42,000 salary range. Includes optional health, dental, and vision benefits; 401k with company match after 1 year of service; unlimited PTO; and other benefits as designated by the organization.

Job Type: Full-time

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Bereavement leave
• Dental insurance
• Flexible schedule
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Mileage reimbursement
• Parental leave
• Professional development assistance
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person