About Us Us Helping Us is a mission-driven nonprofit known for its work at the intersection of culturally appropriate service delivery, community education and mobilization, advocacy, and research. For the past 40 years, Us Helping Us has provided innovative services, programs, and activities to improve the health and wellbeing of racial, sexual, and gender minorities, especially Black sexual minority men, people with HIV (PWH), and persons with substance use and mental health disorders. As it exists today, Us Helping Us offers a variety of clinical, behavioral, and social services in a trusting, affirming, and inclusive environment. Importantly, Us Helping Us is a multi-service organization that is client-centric and provides coordinated, compassionate services that assist clients in realizing their full potential. Position Summary The Recovery Coach provides peer-based recovery support, engagement, education, and care coordination to individuals affected by substance use and related behavioral health needs. As an embedded member of the organization's overdose prevention team, the Recovery Coach builds trusting relationships with clients, supports individuals in assessing their readiness for treatment and recovery services, and helps reduce barriers to accessing appropriate substance use treatment, healthcare, behavioral health, and community resources. Drawing upon recovery-focused principles and possibly lived experience, the Recovery Coach provides non-clinical, person-centered support that promotes client choice, self-determination, harm reduction, and sustained engagement in services. The position also supports community overdose prevention efforts by providing education on naloxone (Narcan), overdose recognition and response, harm reduction practices, and available treatment and recovery resources. Essential Duties & Responsibilities Client Engagement, Peer Support & Recovery Planning - 30% Engage individuals experiencing substance use challenges through respectful, nonjudgmental, culturally responsive, and person-centered approaches. Build trusting relationships with clients and provide peer-based support designed to increase engagement in treatment, recovery, healthcare, and supportive services. Assess client-reported needs, goals, barriers, and readiness to engage in substance use treatment and recovery services within the scope of the Recovery Coach role. Assist clients in identifying individualized recovery goals and developing strategies to support engagement and continued recovery. Advocate for clients and assist them in navigating barriers to treatment and recovery services while supporting client autonomy and self-determination. Maintain appropriate professional and peer-support boundaries and provide services within the established scope of the Recovery Coach role. Treatment Navigation, Referral & Follow-Up - 25% Provide information about available substance use treatment options, including outpatient, inpatient, medication-based, behavioral health, and community recovery services. Coordinate referrals and linkages to substance use treatment, behavioral healthcare, primary care, social services, housing resources, and other community supports. Follow up with clients following referrals and assist in addressing barriers that may prevent successful engagement in services. Accompany or assist clients with accessing treatment and other services when appropriate and consistent with program expectations. Collaborate with treatment providers, community organizations, healthcare professionals, and other service partners to facilitate continuity of care. Maintain knowledge of community treatment providers, recovery resources, harm reduction services, and other resources available to clients. Overdose Prevention, Harm Reduction & Community Outreach - 25% Provide overdose prevention education to clients, families, community members, and partner organizations. Educate individuals on recognizing and responding to an opioid overdose and the appropriate use of naloxone (Narcan). Distribute naloxone and other approved harm reduction supplies in accordance with organizational protocols and applicable program requirements. Educate clients and community members regarding overdose risk reduction, harm reduction strategies, safer practices, and available community resources. Support community outreach activities, overdose prevention initiatives, educational events, and other field-based programming. Interdisciplinary Collaboration & Program Support - 10% Work as an embedded member of the overdose prevention team and collaborate closely with outreach, community health, behavioral health, and clinical staff. Participate in interdisciplinary meetings, case conferences, supervision, staff development activities, and required trainings. Documentation, Compliance & Professional Responsibilities - 10% Complete accurate and timely documentation of client contacts, referrals, services, follow-up activities, and program outcomes in required organizational systems. Maintain client confidentiality and comply with HIPAA, applicable substance use disorder confidentiality requirements, organizational policies, and program requirements. Perform other duties as assigned. Minimum Qualifications Education High school diploma or GED required. Additional education or training in behavioral health, substance use services, human services, public health, social services, or a related field preferred. Experience Minimum of two (2) years of experience working in a substance use treatment, recovery, harm reduction, behavioral health, or related setting. Experience may include inpatient or outpatient substance use treatment, recovery services, community-based programs, overdose prevention, or harm reduction services. Demonstrated experience engaging individuals who may be ambivalent about or not yet ready to enter substance use treatment. Experience providing peer-based recovery support and navigating treatment and community resources preferred. Licenses/Certifications Current Recovery Specialist, Peer Recovery Specialist, Recovery Coach, or equivalent recognized certification required, consistent with applicable program and jurisdictional requirements. Naloxone (Narcan) administration/overdose response training required or must be completed within 60 days of hire. Current CPR/First Aid certification preferred. Valid driver's license with a driving record that meets the organization's insurance requirements. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Knowledge of substance use disorders, recovery principles, peer support, harm reduction, and overdose prevention strategies. Knowledge of opioid overdose recognition, response, and naloxone administration. Knowledge of substance use treatment options, including inpatient and outpatient treatment, medication-based treatment, behavioral health services, and community recovery resources. Strong client engagement, rapport-building, active listening, motivational, and interpersonal skills. Ability to engage individuals at varying stages of readiness for treatment and recovery. Ability to provide support without judgment while respecting client choice, autonomy, and self-determination. Strong care coordination and resource navigation skills. Ability to establish and maintain appropriate professional and peer-support boundaries. Ability to work effectively as part of an interdisciplinary overdose prevention, community health, and behavioral health team. Ability to communicate effectively with clients, families, community members, treatment providers, and organizational partners. Ability to maintain confidentiality and appropriately handle sensitive client information. Ability to maintain accurate and timely service documentation. Strong organizational and time-management skills with the ability to manage multiple clients needs and priorities. Ability to work independently in community settings while maintaining communication and coordination with the broader team. Ability to provide culturally responsive, trauma-informed, affirming, and nonjudgmental services to diverse populations. Ability and willingness to work a flexible schedule, including occasional evenings, weekends, and community-based activities. Preferred Qualifications Lived experience with recovery from substance use and the ability to appropriately use that experience to support and engage individuals in their recovery journey. Two (2) to three (3) years of experience in substance use treatment, recovery support, harm reduction, or overdose prevention. Experience working as part of an overdose prevention or harm reduction team. Experience providing community-based naloxone education and overdose prevention training. Experience supporting individuals transitioning between inpatient, outpatient, and community-based treatment settings. Experience working with LGBTQ+ communities and historically underserved populations. Familiarity with substance use treatment and recovery resources throughout Washington, DC and the surrounding Maryland communities. Bilingual English/Spanish and/or other languages strongly preferred. Physical Demands and Work Environment Work is performed in office, community, outreach, and field-based environments. The position may require regular interaction with individuals experiencing active substance use, behavioral health challenges, housing instability, or other barriers to care. The Recovery Coach must be comfortable working in a variety of community settings and participating in overdose prevention and outreach activities. The position requires the ability to sit, stand, walk, drive, use computers and standard office equipment, maintain documentation, and communicate effectively with clients and interdisciplinary team members. The employee may occasionally be required to bend, stoop, reach, and lift or transport outreach materials and supplies weighing up to 25 pounds. The employee must be able to perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodation. Employment Eligibility The selected candidate must successfully complete a background investigation, drug test, and employment eligibility verification (Form I-9) by presenting documents that establish identity and work authorization within the timeframe required by federal immigration law. Benefits Summary Medical Insurance Dental Insurance Vision Insurance Life Insurance 401(k) Short-Term & Long-Term Disability Insurance (STD/LTD) Flexible Spending Account (FSA) Health Savings Account (HSA) Dependent Care Reimbursement Account (DCRA) Paid Time Off (Vacation/Sick) Paid Holidays

DISCLAIMER

This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by employees assigned to this position. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, qualifications, or working conditions. Management reserves the right to modify this job description and to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities at any time, with or without notice, consistent with applicable law. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position. Us Helping Us is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, District of Columbia, Maryland, or local law.

Pay:

$22.83 - $28.85 per hour Expected hours: 40.0 per week

Benefits:

Dental insurance Health insurance Life insurance Paid time off Vision insurance

Work Location:

In person