Peer Support Specialist

State of Utah; Salt Lake City (UT); On-site; USD 29,000 - 43,000; Full time

Job summary

Utah Department of Corrections seeks a Certified Peer Support Specialist to coach justice-involved individuals in recovery and navigate parole. You will draw on lived experience with addiction recovery and incarceration to support clients and promote resiliency in a therapeutic setting.

As part of the Re-Entry and Rehabilitation Division, you’ll work in Salt Lake City in-office, focusing on confidentiality, boundaries, and motivational interviewing to help clients progress toward parole outcomes

Qualifications

• Certification as a CPSS from an approved DSAMH training program.
• Minimum 5 years active addiction recovery and ability to share recovery experience.
• Previously incarcerated with 5 years post Successful Termination of Parole or Probation.
• Valid driver’s license.
• Ability to maintain accurate documentation.
• Ability to work both independently and with a team.
• Professional manner within healthcare settings.
• Understanding of protecting participant confidentiality.
• High School Diploma or equivalent is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Under supervision of a licensed therapist, assist others with peer coaching related to addiction recovery, parole, and probation navigation.
• Engage clients individually and in classes to instill hope and recovery goals.
• Model competency in recovery and coping skills; share recovery story appropriately.
• Observe, record, and report client behavior and progress.
• Understand confidentiality and HIPAA regulations and protect participation confidentiality.
• Familiar with motivational interviewing techniques.
• Respect all recovery pathways (including MAT and harm reduction).
• Maintain appropriate boundaries.
• Develop trust with clients and respond to difficult situations.
• Other duties as assigned.

Skills

CPSS Certification

Active recovery

Incarceration history

Parole/probation completed

Driver's license

Documentation

Teamwork

Confidentiality

Motivational interviewing

Recovery pathways

Education

High School Diploma or equivalent

Job description

FT / PT Status – Full-Time
Salary – $20.89 - $31.41 Hourly Wage
Remote Work / In-Office – In-Office / On-Site
Recruiter – Staci Ditzer | [e-mail] | 801-545-5511
Application Deadline – 11/8/2026

Key Responsibilities

If you would like an opportunity to join a team of dedicated professionals who work hard to provide maximum opportunities for offenders to make lasting changes through accountability, treatment, education, and positive reinforcement within a safe environment, this is the job for you.

Job Description

The Re-Entry and Rehabilitation Division within the Utah Department of Corrections is seeking applicants for our position of Certified Peer Support Specialist . This position will provide peer support coaching for justice involved individuals utilizing their lived experience in both recovery from substance use disorders and criminal justice involvement to deliver services promoting recovery and resiliency.

This position is for certified peers with lived experience of addiction recovery and previous incarceration. This position will deliver peer support coaching to those currently in the criminal justice system. In this position you will utilize your own history of criminal justice involvement and addiction recovery to help coach clients to successfully navigate parole, provide addiction recovery support, and transition into the community.

Principle Duties

Incumbents in this position will facilitate the Re-Entry and Rehabilitation Division’s vision the "We envision a safer Utah by providing opportunities". Specifically, this position will focus on providing peer support coaching to substance use clients preparing for parole or currently on parole.

Qualifications

• Certification as a Certified Peer Support Specialist (CPSS) from a DHHS approved agency.
• Minimum 5 years in active recovery, comfortable sharing brief recovery experience appropriately.
• Previous history of Incarceration.
• Five years post justice involvement and Successful Termination of Parole or Probation.
• Valid driver’s license.
• Ability to maintain accurate documentation.
• Ability to work both independently and with a team.
• Ability to work in a professional manner within healthcare settings.
• Understanding protecting participant confidentiality.
• Familiar with motivational interviewing techniques. Knowledgeable and accepting of all recovery pathways.
• Understanding of and ability to maintain appropriate boundaries.
• Maintains adaptability in a diverse environment and under challenging circumstances.

Responsibilities

• Under the supervision of a licensed therapist this position assists other individuals with peer coaching related to addiction recovery and navigating incarceration, parole, and probation successfully.
• Engages clients individually and in classes to instill hope, encourage personal responsibility for recovery, facilitate the development of recovery goals, self-advocacy skills, and natural supports.
• Models competency in recovery and ongoing coping skills, articulating points in his/her own recovery story that are relevant to the challenges faced by clients receiving services in the program.
• Ability to observe, record and report client behavior and progress.
• Understanding of confidentiality, GRAMA, HIPAA, and 42 CFR pt. 2 protecting participation confidentiality.
• Familiar with motivational interviewing techniques.
• Respects and advocates ALL pathways to recovery, including but not limited to: Substance Use Treatment, Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT), and harm reduction.
• Understanding of, and ability to maintain app ropriate boundaries.
• Good interpersonal skills to develop trust of clients and respond appropriately to difficult situations.
• Any other job duties as assigned.

Qualifications

This list contains requirements, knowledge, skills and abilities associated with these duties:

• Certification as a Certified Peer Support Specialist (CPSS) from an approved DSAMH training program. https://dsamh.utah.gov/peer-support
• Previously Incarcerated with 5 years post Successful Termination of Parole or Probation.
• Minimum 5 years active addiction recovery, and are comfortable sharing lived recovery experience.
• Valid driver’s license.
• Ability to maintain accurate documentation.
• Ability to work both independently and with a team.
• Ability to work in a professional manner within healthcare settings.
• Understanding of protecting participant confidentiality.
• High School Diploma or equivalent is preferred.

Supplemental Information

• Selected applicants will be required to provide authorization for a full background investigation.
• This position requires that candidates are at least 5 years post justice involvement and have no new felony convictions in the past 7 years and no sex offenses.
• Typically, the employee may sit comfortably to perform the work; however there may be some walking, standing, bending, carrying light items, driving an automobile, etc. Special physical demands are not required to perform the work.
• This position is NOT public safety certified and does not require peace officer status or certification.
• All questions must be answered fully and in the format requested, if applicable. Failure to do so may result in disqualification. Entering "see resume" as an answer will be considered an incomplete answer. Cutting and pasting pertinent information from your resume is acceptable, but should be edited to be a precise answer to the question.
• Only applicants selected for an interview will be contacted.
• Salary will be based on the Career Ladder for current UDC employees.
• Salary ranges specified reflect a minimum starting and top of range dollar amount. Actual rate per hour will be determined by evaluation of qualifications and skills of the individual and the availability of monies through budget and grants or by following DHRM rule.
• Members of minority population groups are encouraged to apply.
• NOTE: Department of Human Resource Management rules regarding promotions and transfers apply to current state employees.

About The Role

Location – 1480 N 8000 W
Salt Lake City, Utah, 84116
United States

Background Check Required – A comprehensive background investigation, which may include a polygraph, may be required.
Drug Test Required – Yes
Schedule Code – B - Competitive Career Service

Why You Should Join Our Team

In Utah, We Believe Hard Work Is Important, But Balance Is Essential. Finding Work/life Balance Is a Vital Element To Our Culture. To Find Out More About WHY Utah , Click Here . Other Benefits May Include:

• Job Stability: Enjoy the security and reliability of employment within a well-established organization.
• Career Growth: Develop valuable skills and gain opportunities for leadership within a large organization.
• Meaningful Work: Contribute to an important service that benefits the community and supports organizational goals.
• Supportive Work Environment: Be part of a team that values cooperation, strong work ethics, and mutual support.

The Agency

For more information
The Utah Department of Corrections as a dedicated team of professionals ensures public safety by effectively managing offenders while maintaining close collaboration with partner agencies and the community. Our team is devoted to providing maximum opportunities for offenders to make lasting changes through accountability, treatment, education, and positive reinforcement within a safe environment.
For additional information about the Utah Department of Corrections please go to this link. http://www.corrections.utah.gov/

EEO Statement

The State of Utah is committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity, or Veteran status. We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. For accommodations, please contact [phone].