Trauma-Informed Peer Support Specialist

City of Durham; Durham (NC); On-site; USD 53,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Durham is hiring a Certified Peer Support Specialist within the Durham Community Safety Department. This full-time, benefits-eligible role provides person-centered case management and peer support to neighbors engaged with the Care Navigation Team, leveraging lived experience to connect to services.

Responsibilities include ongoing follow-up, advocacy, and coordination with clinicians and partners to improve access to behavioral health, housing, benefits, and other supports.

Qualifications

• Minimum of a high school diploma or GED, with 2 years of direct lived experience related to substance use, behavioral health, or the criminal justice system.
• Peer Support Specialist Certification required.
• Willingness to travel within Durham and drive with a valid NC license (or obtain one within 60 days).
• Bilingual abilities, especially Spanish, are highly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Respond to referrals involving mental health, substance use, housing instability, and other psychosocial needs using trauma-informed, person-centered strategies.
• Provide case management, crisis support, resource navigation, and advocacy to identify goals and connect neighbors with services.
• Coordinate warm handoffs and follow-up with clinicians, DCSD teams, and community partners to promote continuity of care.
• Build trusting, strengths-based relationships to support self-determination and recovery.
• Maintain accurate documentation of referrals, services, outcomes, and connections.

Skills

Lived experience

Crisis intervention

Peer counseling

Bilingual (Spanish)

Education

High school diploma or GED

Peer Support Specialist Certification

Job description

The City of Durham is hiring a Certified Peer Support Specialist within the Durham Community Safety Department. This full-time, benefits-eligible role provides person-centered case management and peer support to neighbors engaged with the Care Navigation Team, leveraging lived experience to connect to services.

Responsibilities include ongoing follow-up, advocacy, and coordination with clinicians and partners to improve access to behavioral health, housing, benefits, and other supports.