Certified Peer Support Specialist (GEMS)

PHOENIX COUNSELING CENTER; Gastonia (NC); On-site; USD 28,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

PHOENIX COUNSELING CENTER in Gaston County, NC seeks a NCC Certified Peer Support Specialist to support individuals experiencing substance use disorder through recovery-focused engagement, harm-reduction services, and connections to resources. This role collaborates with Community Paramedics on 911 calls and in jail-based settings.

The position emphasizes lived experience, nonjudgmental support, and linkage to treatment, housing, and social services.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED.
• Current NCC Certified Peer Support Specialist (NCCPSS) certification.
• Lived experience in recovery from substance use disorder with at least one year of sustained recovery.
• Valid NC driver’s license and ability to pass background check and drug screen.
• Strong communication, empathy, professionalism, and ability to work with diverse populations.
• Willingness to complete agency onboarding and safety training.

Responsibilities

• Respond with Certified Community Paramedics to 911 calls involving overdoses or other substance-related emergencies.
• Provide on-scene peer support, emotional stabilization, and harm-reduction education after overdose reversal or high-risk events.
• Assist individuals hesitant about treatment options and provide linkage to detox, MAT, crisis services, and other resources.
• Work inside Gaston County Jail to provide peer support, recovery coaching, and motivational interviewing.
• Collaborate with jail medical staff and community partners to support recovery pathways in detention settings.
• Complete timely and accurate documentation of encounters per policy and grant requirements.

Skills

Communication skills

Empathy

Professionalism

Diversity awareness

Education

High school diploma or GED

NCC Certified Peer Support Specialist

Lived recovery experience (SUD)

Job description

• Base Pay $20.19 - $22.12 / Hour
• Employee Type FT Non-Exempt
• Required Degree High school

Position Overview

GastonCountyEMSisseekingadedicatedandcompassionateNCCertifiedPeerSupport Specialist(NCCPSS)tosupportindividualsexperiencingsubstanceusedisorder(SUD) throughrecovery-focusedengagement,harm-reductionservices,andwarmconnections to community resources. This position works closely with the Community Paramedic Program,includingrespondingalongsideCertifiedCommunityParamedicsto911calls involving suspected or confirmed overdoses, conducting post-overdose follow-ups, and workinginsidetheGastonCountyJailtoprovidepeersupporttoincarceratedindividuals.

The NCCPSS is a key member of a multidisciplinary team who uses lived experience, evidence-based recovery principles, and nonjudgmental support to help individuals navigate pathways to treatment, healing, and long-term stability.

Key Responsibilities

EmergencyResponse&Field Engagement

• Respond with Certified Community Paramedics to 911 callsinvolvingopioid overdoses or other substance-related emergencies.
• Provide on-scene peer support, emotional stabilization, and harm-reduction education immediately following overdose reversal or high-risk events.
• Assist Community Paramedicsin engaging individualswho may behesitant or ambivalent about treatment options.
• Offerimmediatelinkagetodetox,residentialtreatment,MATproviders,crisis services, or other appropriate resources.
• Conductfollow-up outreachwith individualswhoexperience anoverdoseand initially refuse services on scene.
• Attempt contactthrough homevisits,phonecalls,orcoordination withEMS,law enforcement, and community partners to safely re-engage the individual.
• Provideongoingharm-reductioneducation,motivationalsupport,andinformation about available treatment options.
• Buildrapportovertimethroughpersistentbutcompassionate engagement.
• OfferlinkagetoMAT,behavioralhealth services,treatmentprograms,crisis resources, or social supports during follow-up interactions.

Jail-BasedPeer Support

• WorkinsidetheGaston CountyJail to providepeersupport,recoverycoaching,and motivational interviewing to incarcerated individuals.
• Supportindividualswho areinitiating orcontinuing medication-assistedtreatment (MAT) during incarceration.
• Assist individualsin developingrecoveryplans, preparingforre-entry,and connecting to needed resources upon release.
• ProvidewarmhandoffstoCommunityParamedics,treatmentproviders,recovery housing, and social-service partners to ensure continuity of care after release.
• Collaboratewithjail medical staff,detentionofficers, and community partnersto support recovery pathways in the detention setting.
• Uselivedexperiencetobuildrapport,trust,andhopewithindividualsseeking support.
• Provide recovery coaching,goal setting, andongoing case supportto individuals enrolled in EMS-based or community programs.
• ConnectindividualswithMAT providers, mentalhealth resources, harm-reduction supplies, housing support, transportation assistance, and socialservices.
• Help individuals overcome barriers to accessing care, including stigma, transportation issues, or limited resources.
• Supportindividualstransitioningfromjail,detoxfacilities,treatmentprograms,or crisis settings back into the community.
• Completetimely and accurate documentation of all encounters per agency policy and grant requirements.
• Collaborate with Community Paramedics, healthcare partners, jail staff, hospitals, and community agencies to coordinate care.
• Participatein multi-agency case reviews, trainings, program meetings, and quality-improvement efforts.
• Contributefeedbackandinsighttosupportongoingprogramdevelopmentand serviceexpansion.
• Participatein harm-reduction initiatives includingnaloxone distribution, fentanyl/xylazine test strip education, and wound-care kit distribution.
• Assistwithcommunitytrainings,outreachevents,andeducation campaigns.
• May be required to assistwith teaching educational classes focused on recovery, substance use education, harm reduction, and community awareness.
• Provideguidancetofamilymembersandsupportnetworksastheynavigate addiction, recovery, and high-risk situations.

RequiredQualifications

• High school diploma or GED
• CurrentNCCertifiedPeerSupportSpecialist(NCCPSS) certification.
• Livedexperiencein recoveryfromsubstanceusedisorderwith atleastoneyearof sustained recovery.
• ValidNC/SCdriver’slicense, abilitytopassbackground screening and drug screen.
• Strong communication skills, empathy, professionalism, and ability to work with diversepopulations.
• Abilityto work in dynamic and sometimes high-stress environmentsincluding overdose scenes, community settings, and detention facilities.
• Willingness to complete agency-specific onboarding and safety training. Preferred Qualifications

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledgeofmedication-assistedtreatment(MAT),trauma-informedcare,and motivationalinterviewing.
• Familiarity withlocaltreatmentproviders, support groups,and communityresource networks.
• settings,andinsidetheGastonCounty Jail.
• Mayinvolveexposuretoemotionallychallengingsituations,withstrongsupervision and support provided by the Community Paramedic leadership team.
• Workhoursmayvarybasedoncommunityneed,911callvolume,andjail-based responsibilities.

Work Schedule

• Normal work schedule will primarily be Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
• Evening hours will be required for teaching education classes/late calls, and expanded evening coverage.
• Some weekend coverage will be required for community-sponsored events.

Summary

• The NC Certified Peer Support Specialist plays a vital role in supporting individuals with substance use disorder throughout Gaston County. By responding to 911 overdose calls with Community Paramedics, conducting persistent post-overdose follow-up, providing in-jail peer support, and assisting with recovery and education initiatives, this position helps reduceoverdosedeaths,improvecontinuityofcare,andstrengthenrecovery opportunities across the community.

Additional Information

• What Shift Will This Position Need? 8a-5p