Title: Health Counselor- MR027

State Role Title: Counselor II

Hiring Range: $43,335-$51,097

Pay Band: 4

Agency: Virginia Department of Health

Location: MT ROGERS HQ

Agency Website: www.vdh.virginia.gov

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

The Mount Rogers Health District is looking for a Health Counselor-Peer Recovery Specialist to join our team at the Smyth County Health Department.

The Health Counselor serves as a peer recovery resource, offering support and guidance to individuals in recovery from substance use disorders while maintaining confidentiality and adhering to public health protocols. This role is based out of the Smyth County Comprehensive Harm Reduction program and will be working with individuals who are unable to, or not ready to stop using drugs.

The Health Counselor (PRS) also is responsible educating individuals about their health risks, recommending behavior changes to reduce risks, and providing information on available resources and treatment options to control disease and prevent further transmission. Additionally, the position requires conducting follow-up with clients to ensure they have received appropriate treatment, adopted risk-reducing behaviors, and accessed other necessary services to improve overall health outcomes.

**This is a restricted position, which is solely funded by the Peer Recovery Specialist SOR DBHDS grant for a year period ending September 30, 2026. The availability of funding is scheduled for review before the grant expiration date and periodically thereafter. Continued employment is contingent on the continued availability of funds.**

Special Assignments:
May be required to perform other duties as assigned. May be required to assist the agency or state government generally in the event of an emergency declaration by the Governor. May be required by VDH to adjust work hours, location, and job duties and participate in training to meet public health business needs, including emergencies. If this position is designated as a mobile worker, this includes both working in the field and teleworking at an alternate location when not in the field or during an emergency closing. You may be required to periodically come into your assigned office to attend meetings or training

In addition to a rewarding work experience, VDH offers excellent employee benefits including health and life insurance, pre-tax spending accounts, state funded Short- and Long-Term Disability, paid holidays, vacation, tuition assistance, free wellness programs, and a state retirement plan with options for tax-deferred retirement savings including employer matching.

The Virginia Department of Health offers 13 paid holidays, medical, dental, vision and life insurance, retirement plans (including 401a Cash Match and 457 Deferred Compensation Plan) as well as sick, family/personal, and annual leave.

Minimum Qualifications

• Knowledge of and/or experience in public health practices, HIV, STIs (e.g., chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis), HBV/HCV, and other communicable diseases; experience performing phlebotomy
• Effective oral and written communication, organizational and decision-making skills
• Ability to listen, understand and empathize in a culturally sensitive manner, and use motivational skills to build rapport with clients and engagement in disease intervention services; ability to work with diverse populations in diverse settings; develop and make presentations
• Ability to recognize, analyze and solve problems; perform basic mathematical calculations; conduct accurate data entry; maintain confidentiality; comply with program and data security policies and procedures; and work independently during various hours and settings (e.g., field, non-clinical and clinical, office)
• Experience working under pressure (e.g., meeting deadlines, managing competing priorities)
• Possess skill or knowledge of case management; basic computer knowledge/skills, including word processing, electronic mail and data base management
• Effective oral and written communication; organizational; and decision-making skills; bilingual skills are beneficial

Additional Considerations

• Experience working in a social service, public health, or healthcare environment

Special Instructions

You will be provided a confirmation of receipt when your application and/or résumé is submitted successfully. Please refer to “Your Application” in your account to check the status of your application for this position.

VDH accepts only on-line applications. Faxed, mailed, or e-mailed applications will not be considered. Applications are accepted until 11:55 p.m. on the job closing date. Applications and/or resumes should include relevant work history which indicates your qualifications for this position. Supplemental questions are encouraged to be answered in a comprehensive manner and reference any pertinent knowledge, skills, and abilities as well as any previous experience that relates to the position.

Employment is contingent upon satisfactory results of a state and federal criminal history background check and the Department of Social Service’s Child Abuse and Neglect Central Registry check, U.S. HHSIG Exclusion List check, employment reference check and E-Verify. Other financial, credit, driving, background checks or completion of Statement of Economic Interests may be required for certain positions.

It is the policy of the Commonwealth and VDH that all aspects of human resource management be conducted without regard to race (or traits historically associated with race including hair texture, hair type, and protective hairstyles such as braids, locks, and twists); sex; color; national origin; religion; sexual orientation; gender identity or expression; age; veteran status; political affiliation; disability; genetic information; and pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions. VDH employees have a shared Code of Ethics, which can be found in the bottom banner of our website: www.vdh.virginia.gov.

If you have been affected by DHRM Policy 1.30 layoff and possess a valid Interagency Placement Screening Form (Yellow Card) or a Preferential Hiring Form (Blue Card), you must submit the card before the closing date for this position. The Card may be submitted with the state application as an attachment.

As a V3 (Virginia Values Veterans) employer VDH Welcomes Veterans to apply!

Contact Information

Name: Jessica Bennett

Phone: N/A

Email: jessica.bennett@vdh.virginia.gov

In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at 800-552-5019.

Note: Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.