School-Based Peer Recovery Specialist

Job Title: School-Based Peer Recovery Specialist
Department: Clinical Services
Reports To: Clinical Supervisor / Program Manager
Location: Assigned Partner School(s) Howard County MD
Schedule: Monday Friday 7:30 AM 4:30 PM (Aligned with School Calendar)

Compensation: up to $50000

About Backpack Healthcare

Backpack Healthcare is a mission-driven mental health provider dedicated to improving access to care for youth and families particularly within underserved and minority communities. We offer therapy and psychiatry services through both in-person and telehealth our school-based programs we partner directly with educators families and students to create safe supportive spaces that promote emotional wellness and academic success.

How You Make a Difference

As a School-Based Peer Recovery Specialist youll use your lived experience with recovery from mental health and/or substance use challenges to support students in developing resilience emotional regulation and a sense of hope. You will serve as a mentor advocate and liaison between students school staff and the clinical care team. Through individual check-ins group sessions and school-based initiatives youll help create a culture of empathy and recovery within the school environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide 1:1 peer mentoring and emotional support to students navigating mental health or substance use recovery challenges.
  
  
• Facilitate small peer support groups that promote connection self-esteem and wellness strategies.
  
  
• Act as a relatable recovery-focused role model for students sharing your journey appropriately to reduce stigma and foster trust.
  
  
• Collaborate with school counselors Backpack clinicians and other school staff to identify students who may benefit from peer support.
  
  
• Participate in care team meetings to contribute insights that support youth-centered treatment planning.
  
  
• Help students navigate school-related stress social pressures and access to support services.
  
  
• Support classroom and school-wide mental health initiatives workshops and awareness campaigns.
  
  
• Maintain documentation of peer interactions and group activities in accordance with Backpack Healthcare and school policies.
  
  
• Fulfill other duties as assigned that support the social-emotional needs of students.
• Create curriculum and resources for youth and parents.
  
  

Qualifications & Requirements

Education

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
  
  

Experience

• Personal lived experience with recovery from substance use and/or mental health challenges.
  
  
• At least 2- years of sustained recovery preferred.
  
  
• Prior experience working with youth or in school settings is a plus.
  
  

Licenses/Certifications

• Must be certified as a Certified Peer Recovery Specialist (CPRS) by the Maryland Addictions and Behavioral Health Professionals Certification Board (MABPCB) or actively working toward certification under appropriate supervision.
  
  
• Completion of approved peer recovery training required if not yet certified.
  
  

Additional Requirements

• Ability to connect with adolescents in a respectful youth-affirming and trauma-informed way.
  
  
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
  
  
• Strong boundaries self-awareness and the ability to work independently.
  
  
• Must pass a background check and meet school district onboarding requirements.
  
  

What We Offer

• A supportive mission-aligned clinical team that values lived experience.
  
  
• Opportunities for supervision training and professional growth.
  
  
• Impact-driven work that makes a difference in the lives of young people.
  
  
• Integration into school communities with strong partnerships and staff collaboration.
  
  

Backpack Healthcare is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We actively seek to build a team that reflects the diverse communities we serve. Individuals in recovery are strongly encouraged to apply.

Backpack Health is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We believe that the strength of our care depends on the diversity and well-being of our team. We celebrate differences in age color disability ethnicity gender identity or expression national origin physical and mental ability race religion sexual orientation veteran status and other traits that make each person unique. We welcome and encourage diverse candidates to apply for any position for which they are qualified and to bring their unique perspectives experiences and talents to our team.

Backpack Health is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We believe that the strength of our care depends on the diversity and well-being of our team. We celebrate differences in age color disability ethnicity gender identity or expression national origin physical and mental ability race religion sexual orientation veteran status and other traits that make each person unique. We welcome and encourage diverse candidates to apply for any position for which they are qualified and to bring their unique perspectives experiences and talents to our team.