Outreach Peer Support Specialist

About Detroit Recovery Project

Detroit Recovery Project (DRP) is committed to supporting individuals affected by substance use disorders and co-occurring mental health conditions through accessible, recovery-oriented, and community-based services. Our work focuses on reducing barriers to care, promoting health and wellness, and connecting individuals with the resources and support they need to pursue their personal recovery goals.

Position Summary

The Outreach Peer Support Specialist plays an essential role in connecting community members with harm reduction services, health education, infectious disease prevention, and supportive resources. This position conducts community outreach to engage people who use drugs, including people who inject drugs, and provides education and supplies designed to reduce health risks and promote safer practices.

Working from community locations and DRP’s mobile unit, the Outreach Peer Support Specialist provides or facilitates rapid HIV and hepatitis C (HCV) testing, distributes safe-use and safer-sex supplies, and helps participants access medical care, substance use treatment, housing, employment, and other services they identify as important to their needs and goals.

The ideal candidate practices harm reduction principles by meeting people where they are, building trusting relationships, and treating every individual with dignity, kindness, and respect. The Outreach Peer Support Specialist maintains engagement with participants and supports their connection to identified services until their goals are addressed or appropriate linkages have been established.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Conduct community-based outreach to identify, locate, recruit, and engage individuals who may benefit from harm reduction and prevention services.

• Build trusting relationships with people who use drugs, including people who inject drugs, and encourage engagement with available health and support services.

• Provide outreach services directly in the community, including through DRP’s mobile unit.

• Coordinate and facilitate supportive services that help participants access and remain engaged in appropriate programs.

• Maintain ongoing contact with participants and assist them in navigating services until identified goals or service needs have been addressed, as appropriate.

• Support participants in developing independence, self-confidence, self-esteem, and the ability to make informed decisions about their health and well-being.

• Apply harm reduction principles by meeting participants where they are, respecting their choices, and providing nonjudgmental support regardless of their current substance use or stage of recovery.

• Educate participants about the potential harms associated with substance use and strategies to reduce health risks.

• Maintain current knowledge of infectious diseases affecting people who use or inject drugs, including HIV and hepatitis C.

• Provide education on infectious disease transmission, prevention, testing, and available treatment resources.

• Provide rapid HIV and HCV testing in accordance with applicable training, authorization, and organizational protocols.

• Distribute safe-use equipment and safer-sex supplies to promote harm reduction and reduce the risk of infectious disease transmission.

• Communicate health information in an accessible, respectful, and culturally responsive manner.

• Encourage participants to seek appropriate medical evaluation, treatment, and preventive services when indicated.

• Help participants identify and access services based on their individual needs, preferences, and goals.

• Connect participants with community resources, including housing, substance use treatment, medical care, behavioral health services, employment assistance, and other supportive programs.

• Maintain familiarity with Detroit-area substance use disorder treatment providers, harm reduction programs, healthcare resources, and community support services.

• Assist participants with navigating referral processes and overcoming barriers to accessing services.

• Coordinate with DRP staff, community partners, and service providers, as appropriate, to support continuity of care and participant engagement.

• Follow up with participants regarding referrals and service connections, as appropriate, to help address outstanding needs.

• Enter participant intake information and service data directly into an iPad, tablet, or other approved electronic system during or immediately following participant encounters, as appropriate.

• Maintain complete, accurate, and timely documentation of outreach activities, participant interactions, services provided, testing, supplies distributed, referrals, and follow-up.

• Protect participant confidentiality and ensure records are maintained in accordance with organizational policies and applicable privacy requirements.

• Assist with maintaining accurate program records and completing required forms and reports.

• Communicate relevant service needs, barriers, and outreach observations to the Prevention Program Director and Prevention Coordinator, consistent with confidentiality requirements.

• Maintain positive, professional working relationships with staff, peers, participants, volunteers, and community partners.

• Attend and participate in required staff meetings, training sessions, and professional development activities.

• Maintain current knowledge of and comply with DRP policies and procedures, the corporate compliance program, code of ethics, and applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations.

• Follow HIPAA requirements and other applicable confidentiality, safety, and regulatory standards.

• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED.

• Minimum of two (2) years of experience working with individuals affected by substance use disorders, HIV, or related populations.

• Strong organizational skills and the ability to maintain accurate records and documentation.

• Knowledge of local community resources, including housing, medical care, substance use treatment, and other supportive services.

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications and general computer-based data entry.

• Ability to communicate effectively, work collaboratively, and build positive working relationships with diverse individuals and teams.

• Ability to take initiative, anticipate service needs, and contribute to departmental goals and objectives.

• Ability to exercise sound judgment and discretion when handling sensitive or confidential information.

• Demonstrated commitment to fostering an inclusive environment that values people of all backgrounds, identities, and abilities.

Preferred Qualifications

• Associate degree in guidance and counseling, psychology, social work, vocational rehabilitation, business administration, public health administration, or a related field.

• Lived experience with substance use disorder and/or sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

• Relevant Michigan Certification Board for Addiction Professionals (MCBAP) and Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) certifications.

• Experience using electronic medical record (EMR) or electronic health record (EHR) systems.

• Familiarity with harm reduction practices, community-based outreach, and infectious disease prevention.

Additional Eligibility Requirements

• Valid, unrestricted driver’s license.

• Reliable access to transportation or an automobile.

• Current automobile/vehicle insurance that meets DRP’s applicable policy requirements.

Work Environment

This position involves direct community engagement and may require working in diverse community settings and through a mobile outreach unit. The Outreach Peer Support Specialist must be comfortable interacting with individuals experiencing substance use-related challenges, housing instability, and barriers to healthcare. The role requires professionalism, flexibility, respect for participant autonomy, and a commitment to providing compassionate, nonjudgmental services.

Equal Opportunity

Detroit Recovery Project is committed to fostering an inclusive environment where employees, participants, and community members are treated with dignity and respect. Employment decisions are made in accordance with applicable equal employment opportunity laws and organizational policies.