PEER SUPPORT SPECIALIST (PROVISIONAL) - 40011450

Durham County Department of Social Services; Durham (NC); On-site; USD 40,528 - 54,389; Full time

Job summary

Durham County Government is seeking a Peer Support Specialist within Emergency Medical Services to provide guidance and support to individuals facing substance use and mental health challenges. You will help connect clients to community resources and assist in recovery goals.

The role requires strong communication, teamwork, and the ability to work with diverse partners. Provisional employment with benefits is available, with ongoing professional training and supervision.

Qualifications

• High School Graduation or GED equivalent.
• Two years of experience in social work, health services, peer counseling, case management or related fields.
• Lived experience with mental health or substance use treatment.
• Must possess NCCPSS certification and a valid North Carolina driver’s license.

Responsibilities

• Provide one-on-one counseling and support to clients.
• Coordinate with Community Paramedics, Case Managers, Substance Use Disorder Counselors or Mental Health staff to link clients to services.
• Conduct outreach and follow-up with clients in the community, including overdose response.
• Maintain treatment plans, service notes, and other required documentation.

Skills

Peer support principles

Microsoft Office

Recovery process knowledge

Problem-solving

Excellent communication

Teamwork/independence

Education

High School Diploma or GED

NCCPSS certification

North Carolina Driver's License

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Join Durham County Government Durham County Government is home to over 2,000 dedicated professionals working together to deliver essential services that strengthen and support our vibrant, diverse community. As the heart of a fast-growing region, we offer meaningful careers across a wide range of fields—giving you the opportunity to make a real impact where you live, work, grow, and play. Learn more at www.dconc.gov.

Join Durham County Government Durham County Government is home to over 2,000 dedicated professionals working together to deliver essential services that strengthen and support our vibrant, diverse community. As the heart of a fast-growing region, we offer meaningful careers across a wide range of fields—giving you the opportunity to make a real impact where you live, work, grow, and play. Learn more at www.dconc.gov.

DEPARTMENT

Emergency Medical Services

DATE POSTED

July 21, 2026

CLOSING DATE

Open Until Filled

HIRING RANGE

$40,528 - $54,389

POSITION NUMBER

40011450

JOB TYPE

Full-Time, 40 hrs/week, Non-Exempt, Provisional

THIS IS A PROVISIONAL, GRANTED FUNDED POSITION SUBJECT TO END June 30, 2027. THIS POSITION IS SUBJECT TO RENEWAL (Opiod Settlement Fund)

This position is eligible for provisional benefits in accordance to the subject end date.

• THIS POSTING IS SUBJECT TO CLOSE WITHOUT PRIOR NOTIFICATION**

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

The Peer Support Specialist will provide guidance and support to individuals struggling with substance abuse, psychological trauma and /or mental health issues. This position assists in implementing/creating a recovery environment and acts as an advocate for the needs and rights of the client. This position will assist Community Paramedics, Case Managers, Substance Use Disorder Counselors or Mental Health staff with getting the client connected to community resources to ensure continuity of care for their identified needs. This position work under the general supervision of the Program Manager.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

The essential functions listed below are those that represent the majority of the time spent working in this class. Management may assign additional functions related to the type of work of the class as necessary.

• Respond to overdose calls in Durham County.
• Conduct client outreach and follow‑up with the clients in the community.
• Conduct follow‑up visits to individuals who have experienced an overdose.
• Meet with clients regularly to provide one‑on‑one counseling and support.
• Provide individualized harm reduction education and efforts to clients on overdose prevention, use of naloxone, Hepatitis C Virus, STI and HIV risk reduction and safer drug use.
• Arrange medical appointments, monitor client behavior, schedule pro‑social activities, and provide client transportation.
• Train individuals on local overdose reversal protocol, offer harm reduction resources, and care options.
• Assist clients with identifying personal strengths to help them reach and maintain recovery goals.
• Model recovery values, attitude, beliefs, and personal action to encourage wellness.
• Teach and promote self‑advocacy and empower clients to use their legal rights.
• Provide linkage to community resources. Interact with all public agencies.
• Participate in team meetings and in‑person training sessions on best practices in harm reduction and complete ongoing training to maintain certification compliance.
• Maintain and submit required documentation (treatment plans, service notes, etc.).
• Work with community agencies to link clients to wraparound services as needed and complete and submit necessary referral paperwork.
• Collect and maintain up‑to‑date knowledge of local resources: healthcare, treatment, and social services providers in Durham County.
• Assist in community educational and outreach activities such as overdose recognition and treatment, community naloxone distribution, etc.
• Performs related work as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Knowledge of peer support principles, values, and ethics.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office products.
• Knowledge of the Recovery process and the ability to facilitate recovery using established standardized mental health processes.
• Knowledge and skill to teach and engage in basic problem‑solving strategies to support individual clients in self‑directed recovery.
• Knowledge of the signs and symptoms of mental illness (i.e. auditory and visual hallucinations, aggressive talk and behavior, thoughts of self‑harm or harm towards others, isolation) and the ability to assist the client to address symptoms using strategies such as positive self‑talk.
• Knowledge and skill sufficient to use community resources necessary for independent living and ability to teach those skills to other individuals with severe mental illness.
• Excellent communication skills in writing and in oral form with the ability to interact with internal and external partners/resources.
• Ability to share lived experience to support, encourage and enhance a beneficiary’s treatment and recovery.
• Ability to work as a team, accept constructive criticism, and provide input and work autonomously and independently with little direct supervision.
• Ability to create, implement, and execute individualized care plans related directly to an individual’s recovery.
• Familiarity with community resources.
• Ability to work with diverse communities.

MINIMUM EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

• High School Graduation or GED equivalent.
• Two (2) years of experience in social work, health services, peer counseling, case management or related experience, or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
• Lived experience with either Mental Health or Substance Use Disorder struggles and/or treatment.

SPECIAL CERTIFICATIONS AND LICENSES REQUIREMENTS

Must possess and maintain valid North Carolina Certified Peer Support Specialist (NCCPSS) certification.

Must possess and maintain a valid North Carolina driver’s license with a three-year acceptable driving history.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Performs light to medium work that involves walking or standing virtually all the time and involves exerting between 20 and 50 pounds of force on a regular and recurring basis or skill, adeptness, and speed in the use of the fingers, hands, or limbs on repetitive operation of mechanical or electronic office or shop machines or tools within moderate tolerances or limits of accuracy.

UNAVOIDABLE HAZARDS (WORK ENVIRONMENT)

Unavoidable hazards refer to the job conditions that may lead to injury or health hazards even though precautions have been taken.

• Involves routine and frequent exposure including but not limited to:
• Bright/dim light; Dusts and pollen.
• Extreme heat and/or cold; Wet or humid conditions.
• Extreme noise levels, Animals/wildlife/exotics pet.
• Vibration; Fumes and/or noxious odors.
• Traffic; Moving machinery.
• Electrical shock; Heights.
• Toxic/Caustic chemicals
• Explosives
• Violence/Assaults/Verbal Threats
• Radiation; Disease/pathogens.

STANDARD CLAUSES

May be required to work nights, weekends, holidays and emergencies (man‑made or natural) to meet the business needs of Durham County.

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of essential functions and responsibilities that are required of an employee for this job. Other duties, responsibilities, and activities may change or be assigned at any time with or without notice.

AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT COMPLIANCE

Durham County is an Equal Opportunity Employer. ADA requires Durham County to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified persons with disabilities. Prospective and current employees are encouraged to discuss ADA accommodations with management.

BACKGROUND CHECK STATEMENT

This position may be subject to a background check, which could include, but is not limited to, criminal history (employment‑related and/or SBI fingerprint‑based), credit history, motor vehicle records, educational verification, and checks of the sexual offender registry, depending on the specific requirements of the role. A conviction record does not automatically disqualify an applicant from employment consideration, unless otherwise required by applicable state law.

Nearest Major Market: Durham

Nearest Secondary Market: Raleigh

Join Durham County Government

Durham County Government is home to over 2,000 dedicated professionals working together to deliver essential services that strengthen and support our vibrant, diverse community. As the heart of a fast‑growing region, we offer meaningful careers across a wide range of fields—giving you the opportunity to make a real impact where you live, work, grow, and play. Learn more at www.dconc.gov.

BACKGROUND CHECK STATEMENT

This position may be subject to a background check, which could include, but is not limited to, criminal history (employment‑related and/or SBI fingerprint‑based), credit history, motor vehicle records, educational verification, and checks of the sexual offender registry, depending on the specific requirements of the role. A conviction record does not automatically disqualify an applicant from employment consideration, unless otherwise required by applicable state law.