ACT Peer Support Specialist

University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill; Elkins Hills (NC); On-site; USD 48,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

University of North Carolina—Chapel Hill is seeking a Social Work Practitioner (ACT Peer Support Specialist) for the Wake ACT team in Raleigh, NC. The role focuses on peer support within an Assertive Community Treatment framework, collaborating with a multidisciplinary team to meet the complex needs of individuals with serious mental illness.

The position requires a Bachelor's degree in a Human Services field, NC CPSS certification or eligibility, and a valid NC driver's license.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a Human Services discipline with related coursework.
• Certification as NC CPSS or eligibility required.
• Valid NC driver's license is required.

Responsibilities

• Provide direct services and coordinate for assigned individuals on the ACT Team.
• Deliver peer support services including WRAP and recovery interventions.
• Participate in daily team meetings, treatment planning, and on-call rotations.

Skills

Peer support

Team collaboration

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in a Human Services discipline

Job description

Posting Information

Department: Psychiatry-CECMH-Wake ACT-412237

Career Area: Health Professional (Physician/Nurse/Other)

Is this an internal only recruitment?: No

Posting Open Date: 11/10/2026

Application Deadline: 11/18/2026

Position Type: Permanent Staff (SHRA)

Position Title: Social Work Practitioner - Journey

Salary Grade Equivalent: NC11 / GN10

Working Title: ACT Peer Support Specialist

Position Number: 20035364

Vacancy ID: P021549

Full-time/Part-time Permanent/Time-Limited: Full-Time Permanent

Hours per week: 40

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 5:00pm. Occasional evenings/weekends/holidays; rotating on call shifts

Work Location: Raleigh, NC

Hiring Range: $48,000 - $55,000

Pay Band Information: To learn more about the pay band for this branch and role, please see the Career Banding rates spreadsheet.

Notice to Applicants: This position is not eligible for H-1B sponsorship.

Position Summary

Be a Tar Heel!

A global higher education leader in innovative teaching, research and public service, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill consistently ranks as one of the nation's top public universities. Known for its beautiful campus, world‑class medical care, commitment to the arts and top athletic programs, Carolina is an ideal place to teach, work and learn.

One of the best college towns and best places to live in the United States, Chapel Hill has diverse social, cultural, recreation and professional opportunities that span the campus and community.

University employees can choose from a wide range of professional training opportunities for career growth, skill development and lifelong learning and enjoy exclusive perks for numerous retail, restaurant and performing arts discounts, savings on local child care centers and special rates on select campus events. UNC‑Chapel Hill offers full‑time employees a comprehensive benefits package, paid leave, and a variety of health, life and retirement plans and additional programs that support a healthy work/life balance.

Primary Purpose of Organizational Unit

Our mission is to improve the health and well‑being of North Carolinians and others whom we serve. We accomplish this by providing leadership and excellence in the interrelated areas of patient care, education and research.

Patient care: We promote health and provide superb clinical care while maintaining our strong tradition of reaching underserved populations and reducing health disparities across North Carolina and beyond.

Education: We prepare tomorrow's healthcare professionals and biomedical researchers from all backgrounds by facilitating learning within innovative and integrated curricula and team‑oriented interprofessional education to ensure a highly skilled workforce.

Research: We develop and support a rich array of outstanding health sciences research programs, centers and resources. We provide infrastructure and opportunities for collaboration among disciplines throughout and beyond our university to support outstanding research. We foster programs in the areas of basic, translational, mechanistic and population research.

Position Summary

This position works within the UNC Center for Excellence in Community Mental Health on the Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) Team based in Wake County. ACT consists of professionals from multiple disciplines (including psychiatry, nursing, social work, rehabilitation counseling, and peer support) who use a team approach to meet the needs of individuals with severe and persistent mental illness in community‑based settings. ACT works according to a recovery‑based philosophy and provides person‑centered services addressing the breadth of an individual's needs, helping him or her achieve their personal goals. ACT is generally the first responder and single point of responsibility for meeting the client's needs, which necessitates higher frequency and intensity of services and a low staff‑to‑client ratio.

ACT Social Work Practitioners are responsible for the provision of direct services and coordination for an assigned group of individuals served by the ACT Team, including treatment planning, implementation of interventions using empirically supported approaches, and psychosocial rehabilitation. The area of focus of this position will be the provision of peer support services for individuals served by the ACT Team, which includes Wellness Recovery Action Planning (WRAP) and other formalized recovery interventions, as well as informal peer support promoting self‑efficacy and self‑determination.

ACT Social Work Practitioners, including the Peer Support Specialist, participate fully in team activities including daily team meetings, regular treatment planning meetings, and participation in the rotation of the on‑call phone.

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements

Bachelor's degree in a Human Services discipline with coursework related to the area of assignment. Some positions may require certification to practice as a certified or licensed Clinical Social Worker as required by the North Carolina Social Work Certification Board.

Management Preferences

• Experience working with adult behavioral health populations is preferred.
• Experience working in Assertive Community Treatment or other community‑based services (ex: Community Support Team, Individual Placement and Support) is preferred.

Required Licenses/Certifications

• Must hold a current certification as a NC Certified Peer Support Specialist (CPSS), or be eligible for certification as a NC CPSS.
• Valid NC driver's license is required as these roles drive state vehicles.

Campus Security Authority Responsibilities

Not Applicable.

Position/Schedule Requirements

Evening work occasionally, On‑call occasionally, Patient care involved, Rotating shifts occasionally, Valid NC Driver's License, Weekend work occasionally.

Quick Link

https://unc.peopleadmin.com/postings/328515

Contact Information

If you experience any problems accessing the system or have questions about the application process, please contact the Office of Human Resources at [phone] or send an email to [e-mail]

Please note: The Office of Human Resources will not be able to provide specific updates regarding position or application status.

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement

The University is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes all to apply without regard to age, color, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, or sexual orientation. We encourage all qualified applicants to apply, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.