Peer Recovery Specialist - Medication Mobile Unit

The ARTS Adult Outpatient Program (AOP) within Addiction Research and Treatments Services (ARTS) at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus is seeking three full-time University Staff (non-classified) Peer Recovery Specialists. The position operates within the Addiction Research and Treatment Services (ARTS) Adult Outpatient Program (AOP), with clinic locations in Denver, Aurora, and Arvada, as well as a Mobile Medication Unit (MMU). ARTS Adult Outpatient clinics provide drug and alcohol assessment, psychosocial and pharmacological treatment for adults. Programs in various clinic locations include traditional outpatient, intensive outpatient and may contain specialty services for clients referred by the criminal justice system, county departments of human services, and services for pregnant women, individuals who are HIV-positive and gender-responsive services.

This position is assigned to the ARTS Mobile Medication Unit (MMU), which will operate and provide SUD services across the greater Metro Denver area and may also work from time to time at the ARTS Clinics in Denver, Arvada, or Aurora or at other ARTS locations.This position is fully on-site working 40 hours per week, typically Monday through Friday, 6:00am to 2:30pm. This position may be required to work some weeknights, Saturdays, and/or Sundays depending on the needs of the clinic. Working hours and locations are subject to change according to the needs of the project and/or the agencies concerned. This full-time position is supported by grant funds, whose funding will be reviewed on a periodic basis. This position is contingent on grant funding and is time-limited. The position’s status and viability may be affected over time by any applicable variations in the grant and/or funding amounts.

Key Responsibilities:

• Serve as a Peer Specialist and educator to implement interventions to improve outcomes for patients who enter care via the ARTS Medication Mobile Unit and/or ARTS Clinics..
• Identify any problems, challenges, or obstacles in coordination of services for patients, and in a timely and effective manner, as well as ensuring all duties and responsibilities are performed for effective and appropriate benefit of patients to whom care and/or services are being provided.
• Conduct structured, Peer-led individual and group interventions that focus on health education, care coordination, identifying and reducing barriers to care for patients, and conduct outreach activities in the community in order to engage pregnant and postpartum patients in SUD treatment.
• Conduct case management for patients, provide referrals of necessary, appropriate resources to patients as needed, implement standardized intervention, track patients for engagement, and connect patients to prenatal treatment and care.
• Actively collaborate with supervisor and staff, and coordinate efforts to ensure successful delivery of services, attend and participate in trainings, team/staff meetings, and other events as needed, be willing to drive to meetings and CU Emergency Department for care coordination, ensure confidentiality of patient health information and/or health records, attend and actively participate in all project advisory committee meetings, etc.
• Continuously maintain accurate and up-to-date records and/or notes as required by agency policy, use electronic health record systems to ensure timely documentation, recording and tracking of communications, interventions, patient data, schedule and maintain multiple, internal, and external appointments, and gather, analyze, and report patient statistical data.
• Work comfortably among patients with or without substance use disorder, who are referred from city and county parole/probation departments, department of social services, and other relevant agencies, and perform other duties as assigned by supervisor and/or other AOP Management Team.
• Perform outreach duties and establish and maintain community/referral partnerships to serve ARTS’ patient population

Onsite – this role is expected to work onsite and is located in the greater Metro Denver area, Colorado.

ARTS promotes the continued development of its employees and assists in the CCAR Recovery Coach Academy training and the Colorado Peer and Family Specialist (CPFS) certification.

Why work for the University?

We have AMAZING benefits and offer exceptional amounts of holiday, vacation and sick leave! The University of Colorado offers an excellent benefits package including:

• Medical: Multiple plan options
• Dental: Multiple plan options
• Additional Insurance: Disability, Life, Vision
• Retirement 401(a) Plan: Employer contributes 10% of your gross pay
• Paid Time Off: Accruals over the year
• Vacation Days: 22/year (maximum accrual 352 hours)
• Sick Days: 15/year (unlimited maximum accrual)
• Holiday Days: 15/year
• Tuition Benefit: Employees have access to this benefit on all CU campuses
• ECO Pass: Reduced rate RTD Bus and light rail service

There are many additional perks & programs with the CU Advantage.

Minimum Qualifications:

• High school diploma or General Education Diploma (GED).
• One (1) year of experience working closely with patients and connecting them to resources.

Applicants must meet minimum qualifications at the time of hire.

Preferred Qualifications

• Associate’s degree or higher in psychology, social work, counseling, human services, or another related field from an accredited institution.
• Prior experience in Patient Navigation and connecting patients to required services or resources.
• Possess certification as a Colorado Peer and Family Specialist (CPFS), Peer Recovery Specialist or Peer Recovery Coach..
• Experience with motivational interviewing techniques.
• Experience working with clients who are involved with the criminal justice system, probation/parole, human services, and/or other similar referral sources.
• Experience providing administrative support to clients, families, staff, and other stakeholders in a substance abuse treatment setting.
• Experience managing financial paperwork including creating invoices, tracking expenditures, and gathering statistical data.
• Experience working with electronic health records
• Current, valid registration with the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA) as Certified Addiction Technician (CAT) or higher.
• Bilingual in English/Spanish.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Excellent written communication skills, which includes the ability to check for typographical, grammatical, and spelling errors.
• Ability to effectively manage difficult behaviors.
• Ability to engage patients in treatment for substance use disorder treatment.
• Ability to comply with established rules, policies and procedures, and meet deadlines.
• Ability to be open-minded and nonjudgmental.
• Ability to develop healthy relationships and boundaries with clients.
• Ability to exercise discretion and maintain patient confidentiality.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees at all levels throughout the institution.
• Knowledge of basic care coordination, medical/hospital, and/or community resources.
• Knowledge of basic therapeutic confrontation and structures.
• Critical thinking skills with the ability to successfully multitask in a high-pressure environment.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office programs (Word, Excel, Outlook etc.).
• Excellent data entry skills.

Conditions of Employment

• Must possess personal, lived experience with SUD or addictions, and maintain continuous recovery with existing sobriety supports.
• Must be willing and able to obtain the one of the following certifications within six (6) months of hire; Colorado Family and Peer Specialist (CFPS), Peer Recovery Specialist, or Peer Recovery Coach..
  • In order for services delivered to be reimbursable, Peer Recovery Specialists must either be certified or in the process of becoming certified.
  • More information on certification can be found here:
  • Costs associated with certification training may be covered by the University/ARTS. Costs associated with the exam and continuing education will be the responsibility of the candidate.
• Must be able to work comfortably amongst patients with substance abuse disorders, who may be referred from city and county parole/probation departments, department of social services, and other relevant agencies.
• Must agree to fingerprinting and criminal background check prior to being hired. Required background checks include a review with the Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
• Subject to pre-employment, post-accident, incident, and/or drug and alcohol testing per UCD Addiction Research and Treatment Services policies.
• Must possess a valid driver’s license, and automobile insurance per State of Colorado requirements, or obtain within 30 days from date of hire.
• Must be willing and able to drive as part of daily responsibilities.
• This position may be required to work on some weeknights and/or Saturdays and Sundays
• This position may be required to occasionally be on-call for emergency purposes.

For full consideration, please submit the following document(s):

1. A letter of interest describing relevant job experiences as they relate to listed job qualifications and interest in the position. This letter must adequately describe how the applicants work/life experiences satisfy the SUD, addictions, and continuous recovery with sobriety supports Condition of Employment. If candidates do not satisfy this condition and/or fail to attach a cover letter to their application, then their application will be removed from consideration.

2. Curriculum vitae / Resume

3. Three to five professional references, including name, address, phone number (mobile number if appropriate), and email address.

Questions should be directed to: Heidi McKinnon - heidi.mckinnon@cuanschutz.edu

Applications will be accepted until finalists are identified, but preference will be given to complete applications received by April 30, 2026. Those who do not apply by this date may or may not be considered.

The starting salary range (or hiring range) for this position has been established as $43,812 – $50,830.

The above salary range (or hiring range) represents the University’s good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting. This position may be eligible for overtime compensation, depending on the level.

Your total compensation goes beyond the number on your paycheck. The University of Colorado provides generous leave, health plans and retirement contributions that add to your bottom line.

Total Compensation Calculator:

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:

The University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus is dedicated to ensuring a safe and secure environment for our faculty, staff, students and visitors. To assist in achieving that goal, we conduct background investigations for all prospective employees.