Employment Specialist, Certified Recovery Specialist

Do you have a passion for giving back?

Do you like making a difference?

Do you like helping others?

If you answered “yes” to all the above questions, we would love to have a conversation with you.

Organizational Summary:

Life’sWork of Western PA is a non-profit organization empowering people to live the life they choose. We partner with people with disabilities, people with other barriers, and young adults to pursue their hopes and dreams through strengthening workplace abilities, building life skills, and developing meaningful relationships.

We believe everyone deserves to share in opportunities of meaningful employment. Through employment for all, we envision creating a compassionate, inclusive and equitable community where all individuals have a chance to flourish. A career at Life’sWork means a chance to promote life altering change in an individual’s life.

Job Summary:

The Recovery Specialist is an essential part Life’sWork’s Recovery and Placement program.  The position will support individuals in recovery from substance abuse disorders with the specific objectives of preparing these individuals to enter / re-enter the workforce.  The position includes the development and implementation of alcohol and drug abuse identification and recovery programs and provides education and technical assistance to employers.

Responsibilities:

  • Maintain project logs, reports and records in appropriate files and database(s) in timely manner.
  • Provide recovery education to service clients for every phase of the recovery journey from pre-recovery engagement, recovery initiation, recovery stabilization, and sustained recovery maintenance.
  • Provide a model for both people in recovery and staff by demonstrating that recovery is possible.
  • Assist recovering persons to identify their personal interests, goals, strengths and weaknesses in preparation of return to employment.
  • Assist/coach recovering person with develop their own plan for advancing their recovery; for “getting the life they want.”
  • Support connections to community based, mutual self-help groups. Link individuals to appropriate professional resources when needed. Provide vision-driven hope and encouragement for opportunities at varying levels of involvement in community-based activities (e.g., work, school, relationships, physical activity, self-directed hobbies, etc.).
  • Develop relationships with employers and community groups/agencies in partnership with others.
  • As recovery specialist position evolves and knowledge increases, visit community resources with recovering persons to assist them in becoming familiar with potential opportunities.
  • Identify employments barriers and develop strategies to overcome those barriers.
  • Maintain contact by phone and/or e-mail with recovering person after they leave the program to insure their ongoing success and to provide re-engagement support in partnership with others in the agency if needed. Long-term engagement, support, and encouragement.
  • Other duties as directed by the Coordinator and/or Management Staff.
  • May perform other related duties as assigned.

Requirements:

Benefit Package:

  • Health Coverage: (full-time only) 
    • Pays 100% of employee only coverage.
    • Matches up to $700 towards your health savings account (H.S.A.)
  • Other benefits; (100% paid by employee)
    • Dental and vision
    • Aflac
    • Legal Shield / Identity Theft
  • Paid Time Off (PTO):
    • Beginning your second year, full-time employees will receive 20 days of PTO
    • Beginning your second year, part-time employees may receive up to 10 days of PTO
  • Holidays: (full-time & part-time)
    • Offer 12 holidays per year
  • Retirement Plan (403(b) Thrift Plan):
    • Matches 100% up to 5% of employee’s contribution 
  • Mileage reimbursement:
    • Follows the federal mileage rate.

Diversity and Inclusion Statement: At Life’sWork of Western PA, we have a clear vision: to create a community where difference is valued. As an organization with a mission that is centered around lifting up some of the most vulnerable members of society, diversity and inclusion are more than just words to us. Here, everyone is welcome. We employ, train, compensate, and promote regardless of race, age, sex, religion, color, national origin, language, sexual orientation, pregnancy, gender identity, handicap or disability, and other protected status’. As an employment organization that is continually evolving to provide the best possible services for our clients, we strive to be as diverse as the individuals that we serve. Life’sWork is fully focused on building and nurturing a workplace where inclusion is part of our everyday culture, not just an initiative; where all employees feel their individual gifts are celebrated and appreciated, and where they are encouraged to be who they are.

There is always more work to be done, and we believe that if the services that are provided by our organization are done through a diverse mix of talents, perspectives, and backgrounds, we can play a role in creating ongoing and lasting change.

Life’sWork has developed Safety Operating Procedures. All staff and clients are required to follow these rules diligently so that we can sustain a healthy and safe workplace for all in this unique environment.

COVID-19 Safety Operating Policy/Procedures

Life’sWork of Western PA is committed to providing a safe and healthy work environment for our employee, clients, and visitors. We adopted a COVID-19 Safety Operating Policy/Procedures that is working.

All employees are required to wear a mask and get their temperature taken when they enter the facility.

Back to Top