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Peer Support Specialist

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Peer Support Specialist

Salary

$49,737.00 - $77,169.00 Annually

Location

Durham, NC

Job Type

Full time with benefits

Job Number

25-05473

Department

Community Safety

Opening Date

06/19/2025

Closing Date

Continuous

+ Description

+ Benefits

+ Questions

Position Description

H iring Range : $ 49,026 - $59,613

S chedule : 40 hours per week, consisting of three in-person 12 hour shifts and four hours of administrative work time. Responders are assigned shift hours of either 9 am to 9 pm or noon to midnight. Responders will work one out of every three weekends . They will also have a six?to seven?day break every six weeks (built into their schedule). More information on schedul ing will be given during the interview /hiring process.?

START DATE : July 28 th , 2025

POSITION DESCRIPTION :

In 2022, the Durham Community Safety Department (DCSD) launched four 911 crisis response programs—collectively known as HEART (Holistic Empathetic Assistance Response Teams)—to meet the needs of people in crisis with compassionate care and behavioral health expertise.

DCSD is currently hiring Certified Peer Support Specialists for our Community Response Teams . DCSD recognizes lived experience as an important form of expertise that helps better position our teams to provide compassionate care. P lease review the program descriptions below ;

+ The Community Response Team sends multi -person teams— that may include a Clinician ( T eam L ead) , Peer Support Specialist, and /or an EMT . These teams respond to 911 calls involving behavioral health and quality of life related concerns. CRT responds in-person , without law enforcement and our data has shown a safety rating for over 99 percent of calls. Peer Support Specialists regularly engage with neighbors by providing input on community resources , interventions, and support through the lens of their previous lived experience .

+ DCSD’s approach to work is flexible, highly collaborative, and evidence driven . Our departmental culture prizes equity, care, and the health and safety of our staff. We envision adding team members that are not only colleagues , but partners in this challenging and purpose-driven work.

To learn more about Durham Community Safety Department (DCSD) applicants are encouraged to visit DCSD:HEART website (http://www.durhamnc.gov/HEART) -- Data D ashboard (http://www.durhamnc.gov/HEART-data) -- CNN C lip (https://www.cnn.com/2022/10/07/health/911-response-mental-health-durham-wellness/index.html) from CNN’s Sanjay Gupta -- NPR WUNC segment (https://www.wunc.org/news/2023-02-06/national-trend-durham-dispatching-mental-health-police-911-calls) -- Article by The Assembly (https://www.theassemblync.com/politics/criminal-justice/durhams-new-model-for-public-safety/) about our department.

Duties/Responsibilities

+ Respond to 911 calls involving mental health, behavioral health, substance use, and related non-violent crises using trauma-informed, person-centered strategies. Collaborate with Community Responder Team members to assess needs, develop response plans, and provide culturally competent support. Ensure warm handoffs and follow-up based on peer preference and clinical guidance.

+ Maintain timely and accurate documentation in compliance with agency and regulatory standards. Foster strong communication and partnerships with staff, clients, and community agencies.

+ Engage in supervision, team meetings, and professional development, integrating lived experience and peer voices into planning and evaluation. Support strategic initiatives related to crisis response and team culture.

+ Uphold personal resilience and self-care practices to sustain wellness in a high-intensity first responder role.

Minimum Qualifications & Experience

+ High school diploma or GED

+ Completion of a mental health, peer support specialist, or equivalent certificate program (please click this for more information about this certification: LINK (https://pss.unc.edu/) )

+ Two years of experience related to substance use, behavioral health, or the criminal justice system.

+ Must have a valid, unrestricted, North Carolina driver's license "or" if you currently have another state driver's license, must be willing and able to obtain a valid NC driver's license within 60 days of hire ( Team members respond to crisis calls via agency-provided vans)

+ Strong understanding of behavioral health symptoms and crisis intervention strategies, with the ability to connect individuals to appropriate resources.

+ Must be able to travel within Durham

+ Must be able to walk or stand for up to 75% of a shift

+ Basic computer proficiency

Additional Preferred Skills

+ At least two years of experience in peer counseling or related work with diverse populations. Prior professional experience in crisis response or intervention is preferred.

+ Demonstrated commitment to the department’s mission and values.

Benefits – General Full-Time Employees

+ 12-13 paid holidays per year

+ 13 standard work days of vacation per year

+ 13 standard work days of sick leave per year, which accumulates indefinitely; sick leave may be used toward early retirement

+ 2 weeks paid military leave per year

+ Medical, dental, vision, and supplemental life insurance plans

+ State and City retirement plans

+ Short and long term disability plans

+ Paid temporary disability leave for specified conditions

+ City contribution of 13.6% into the N.C. State Retirement System

+ Paid funeral leave

+ Employee Assistance Program - personal and family counseling

+ Paid life insurance equal to annual salary

+ 48 hours for volunteer work each year*

+ 4 hours parental leave each year

+ Workman's Compensation Insurance

+ 457 Deferred Compensation Plans

Benefits - Part-Time (1,000 hours or more per year)

+ 401(k) retirement plan (5.0% of salary)

+ State retirement plan

Benefits Part-Time (Average 30 hours per week over 12 month period)

+ 401(k) retirement plan (5.0% of salary)

+ State retirement plan effective first day of the month following date of hire

+ Health insurance effective first day of the month following date of hire

+ Dental and life insurance, after one year of service

+ Pro-rated vacation, pro-rated sick, pro-rated floating holiday, parttime holiday pay (based on scheduled hours for that day) after one year of service

01

Where did you first hear about this opportunity?

+ City of Durham Website

+ Walk in

+ Job fair

+ Employee referral

+ Professional organization ***Please list the organization in "other" box below***

+ Internet posting ***Please list the specific web site in the "other" box below***

+ Craig's List

+ Facebook

+ LinkedIn

+ GlassDoor

+ governmentjobs.com

+ Monster.com

+ Indeed.com

+ Employment Security Commission

+ Magazine/Newspaper

+ Other

02

If you listed "other" above please give specific web site, organization, or publication.

03

Please select your highest level of COMPLETED education.

+ Less than a High School Diploma or Equivalent (GED, HiSET, TASC)

+ High School Diploma or Equivalent (GED, HiSET, TASC)

+ Associates Degree

+ Bachelor's Degree

+ Master's Degree

+ Doctoral Degree (PhD, Juris Doctorate)

04

How many years of experience do you have that is related to substance use, behavioral health, or the criminal justice system do you have?

+ No related experience

+ Less than 1 year of related experience

+ 1 year but less than 2 years of related experience

+ 2 years but less than 6 years of related experience

+ 6 or more years of related experience

05

How many years of experience in peer counseling or related work with diverse populations do you have?

+ No related experience

+ Less than 1 year of related experience

+ 1 year but less than 2 years of related experience

+ 2 years but less than 6 years of related experience

+ 6 or more years of related experience

06

Do you have a valid, unrestricted, North Carolina driver's license? (If you have a valid license from a State other than North Carolina, you must be willing and able to obtain a valid, unrestricted NC driver's license within 60 days of hire).

+ I have a valid, unrestricted NC driver's license.

+ I have a valid license from another State and I am willing to obtain a valid, unrestricted NC driver's license within 60 days.

+ I do not have a valid, unrestricted driver's license.

07

How would you rate your experience level with MS Office applications such as Outlook, Excel, Word, and PowerPoint?

+ No experience

+ Beginner level

+ Intermediate level

+ Advanced level

+ Expert level

08

How would you rate your understanding/experience level of behavioral health symptoms and crisis intervention strategies?

+ No experience

+ Beginner level

+ Intermediate level

+ Advanced level

+ Expert level

09

Are you registered as a NC Certified Peer Support Specialist? (Please note: If you are NOT a Certified PSS, but you have personal lived experience with Substance Use, Mental Health Crises, or Homelessness--- please answer "YES". PSS certifications must be obtained within your probationary period).

+ Yes

+ No

10

How would you rate your experience and knowledge level of connecting individuals to the appropriate behavioral health resources?

+ No experience

+ Beginner level

+ Intermediate level

+ Advanced level

+ Expert level

11

Are you willing and able to work a 40 hours per week schedule, consisting of three in-person 12 hour shifts and four hours of administrative work time? (Responders are assigned shift hours of either 9 am to 9 pm or noon to midnight. Responders will work one out of every three weekends. Responders will also have a six to seven day break every six weeks (built into the schedule)

+ Yes

+ No

12

Are you willing and able to walk or stand for up to 75% of a shift?

+ Yes

+ No

13

What draws you to this role working with the Durham Community Safety Department?

14

How has your personal lived experience with Substance Use, Mental Health Crises, or Homelessness—shaped your interest in Community Mental Health?

Required Question