Certified Peer Support Specialist

Burke; Morganton, Northern (NC, KY); Hybrid; USD 32,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

Burke County seeks a Certified Peer Support Specialist (CPSS) to join the BEAR team. You will use lived experience with substance use and recovery to provide compassionate, non-judgmental support, connect individuals to treatment, and reduce stigma while aiding families affected by overdose.

Responsibilities include outreach within 24-72 hours after overdose, peer counseling, resource navigation, harm-reduction education, and coordination with EMS, law enforcement, and community partners.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required. An Associate degree in human services or related field preferred.
• Certification as North Carolina Certified Peer Support Specialist (NCCPSS) required upon hire.
• Lived experience with substance use and sustained recovery.

Responsibilities

• Partner with EMS, law enforcement, and community paramedics to provide immediate and follow-up support to individuals who experience non-fatal overdose.
• Conduct outreach within 24-72 hours of an overdose event to engage individuals and families in supportive services.
• Offer peer counseling, recovery planning, and resource navigation including linkage to MAT, detox, inpatient/outpatient treatment, housing, employment, and social services.
• Provide harm reduction education and distribute naloxone and other supplies.
• Assist with referrals, follow-ups, and coordination of care among community providers.
• Participate in community education and outreach events to promote awareness, reduce stigma, and support prevention efforts.
• Document all contacts, services provided, and referrals in accordance with HIPAA, County policies, and grant requirements.
• Attend team meetings, case reviews, supervision, and required training.
• Performs other duties as required or assigned

Skills

Proficient in English

Harm reduction knowledge

Flexible hours

Excellent communication

Independent worker

Team collaboration

Data/documentation

Education

High school diploma or GED

Associate degree in human services (preferred)

Job description

Job Opportunities

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Working Schedule will be 12 hour shifts, 12 pm - 12am

GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES

The Certified Peer Support Specialist (CPSS) will serve as a vital member of the Burke Emergency and Addiction Response (BEAR) team. The CPSS will use their lived experience with substance use and recovery to provide compassionate, non-judgmental support to individuals and families affected by overdose. This role focuses on connecting individuals to treatment services and recovery resources while reducing stigma and preventing future overdose fatalities.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

To successfully perform this position, an individual must be able to perform the following:

• Partner with EMS, law enforcement, and community paramedics to provide immediate and follow-up support to individuals who experience non-fatal overdose.


• Conduct outreach within 24-72 hours of an overdose event to engage individuals and families in supportive services.


• Offer peer counseling, recovery planning, and resource navigation including linkage to MAT, detox, inpatient/outpatient treatment, housing, employment, and social services.


• Provide harm reduction education and distribute naloxone and other supplies.


• Assist with referrals, follow-ups, and coordination of care among community providers.


• Participate in community education and outreach events to promote awareness, reduce stigma, and support prevention efforts.


• Document all contacts, services provided, and referrals in accordance with HIPAA, County policies, and grant requirements.


• Attend team meetings, case reviews, supervision, and required training.


• Performs other duties as required or assigned

REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• High school diploma or GED required (Associate degree in human services or related field preferred).


• Certification as a North Carolina Certified Peer Support Specialist (NCCPSS) required upon hire.


• Lived experience with substance use and sustained recovery.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS (UPON HIRE, UNLESS OTHERWISE INDICATED):

• Valid North Carolina Driver's License

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS, WORKING CONDITIONS, AND OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURES

• Standard vision requirements, with or without corrective lenses


• Occasionally lifts up to fifty (50) pounds


• Occasionally spends time walking, sitting, and engaging in repetitive motions


• Routinely spends time standing


• Regular exposure to inside and outside environmental conditions


• Frequently spends time speaking or hearing, and using hands and fingers to handle, type, feel, or text


• Must be able to express and exchange ideas through verbal communications


• Must be able to operate motor vehicles or other machinery


• Must be able to observe general surroundings and activities


• Must be able to prepare and analyze written or computer data

REQUIRED SKILLS/ABILITIES

• Proficient in spoken and written English


• Knowledge of harm reduction principles, local treatment options, and community resources.


• Comfort with flexible work hours, including evenings and weekends as needed.


• Excellent verbal and written communication and interpersonal skills


• Ability to work independently and as part of an interdisciplinary team.


• Ability to receive detailed instructions or information through verbal communication


• Ability to operate and use Burke County's systems, technologies, and machines


• Ability to select, evaluate, interpret, and analyze data from several sources


• Excellent analytical, decision-making, and problem-solving skills


• Excellent organizational skills

Burke County is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, or disability in employment or the provision of services.