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Community Safety Specialist (Peer Support Specialist)

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Community Safety Specialist (Peer Support Specialist)

Salary

$49,737.00 - $77,169.00 Annually

Location

Durham, NC

Job Type

PT w/ benefits (30 hours or more per week)

Job Number

25-05544

Department

Community Safety

Opening Date

08/20/2025

Closing Date

Continuous

+ Description

+ Benefits

+ Questions

Position Description

Work. Serve. Thrive. With the City of Durham

Advance in your career while making a real difference in the community you serve.

Hiring Range: $ $21.87 - $24.59 per hour

SCHEDULE: This position is part-time with benefits, requiring 32-40 hours per week. Standard working hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM; however, flexibility is essential, as hours may vary based on program needs, including participant appointments that may occur earlier or later in the day. Occasional light travel outside of Durham may be required for conferences, correctional facility visits, reentry resource fairs, and other program-related events.

The Welcome Home Program is a reentry initiative within the Durham Community Safety Department (DCSD) focused on supporting justice-involved individuals as they transition from incarceration back into the Durham community. The program provides personalized support, resource navigation, and workforce development assistance with a trauma-informed, equity-based approach.

DCSD is currently hiring Certified Peer Support Specialist for our Welcome Home Program. DCSD recognizes lived experience as an important form of expertise that helps better position our team to provide compassionate care. Please review the program descriptions below:

+ The Peer Support Specialist will serve as a mentor, advocate, and liaison for individuals returning from incarceration. Drawing from lived experience, the Peer Support Specialist will assist participants in achieving stability, connecting with housing and employment resources, and accessing supportive services that reduce recidivism and promote long-term reintegration. This role will also facilitate connections to a variety of local resources, including the Local Reentry Council, employment services, mental health care, and assistance with obtaining identification. The Peer Support Specialist will provide individualized support during the critical first 120 days post-release, helping participants build positive social support networks and develop a comprehensive Wellness and Recovery Action Plan (WRAP). In close collaboration with the Local Reentry Council, the Peer Support Specialist will play a key role in ensuring a supportive and empowering reentry experience for Durham residents.

+ 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.

Work Environment:

+ Hybrid office and field-based environment.

+ Frequent travel throughout Durham County.

+ Regular interaction with individuals in crisis or dealing with complex challenges.

Duties/Responsibilities

1. Peer-Based Mentorship & Support

+ Use lived experience to build trust and rapport with participants.

+ Provide emotional support and encouragement during reentry and adjustment.

+ Discuss the significance of support systems which can foster a supportive community, reinforcing their commitment to their individual reentry journey.

2. Case Support & Reentry Planning

+ Assist in developing individualized reentry plans and Wellness and Recovery Action Plans (WRAP).

+ Support participants in identifying goals related to housing, employment, education, and personal development.

+ Monitor progress and adjust plans as needed in collaboration with the Program Manager.

3. Resource Navigation

+ Connect participants to vital resources such as:

+ The Local Reentry Council (LRC)

+ Employment and job training opportunities

+ Mental health and substance use treatment

+ Housing programs and food assistance

+ DMV and Social Security services for obtaining ID and documentation

+ Healthcare services and medication management

+ Faith-based teams if applicable

+ Family reunification

4. Community Engagement & Advocacy

+ Accompany participants to appointments, interviews, or court hearings when needed.

+ Advocate on behalf of participants in community, legal, and employment settings.

+ Promote participant rights, reduce stigma, and educate partners on the value of peer support.

5. Crisis Intervention & Conflict Resolution

+ Recognize signs of mental health or substance use crises.

+ De-escalate situations using trauma-informed and harm reduction practices.

+ Refer participants to appropriate crisis services or emergency housing resources when needed.

6. Documentation & Reporting

+ Maintain accurate, up-to-date case notes and progress reports.

+ Track service referrals, participant milestones, and program engagement in the database.

+ Participate in data collection for performance measures and grant reporting.

7. Collaboration & Teamwork

+ Attend weekly team meetings, partnership meetings and department staff meetings.

+ Coordinate with partner agencies, probation/parole officers, and program staff.

+ Participate in reentry fairs, community events, and outreach initiatives.

8. Professional Development

+ Attend ongoing training on peer support, motivational interviewing, trauma-informed care, and reentry best practices.

+ Maintain certification as a Certified Peer Support Specialist (CPSS)

Minimum Qualifications & Experience

+ High school diploma or GED

+ Completion of a mental health, peer support specialist, or equivalent certificate program

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

+ One year of direct lived experience related to justice impacted, 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

+ Peer Support Specialist Certification --- LINK (https://pss.unc.edu/) (not required at time of hire but MUST obtain one within 6 months of the start date)

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

+ A track record of demonstrating initiative and sound judgment when handling ambiguity.

+ Must be able to travel to and from worksite and other locations within Durham.,

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

+ Must have basic computer proficiency.

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

+ A commitment to equity, which could include having already attended racial equity training.

+ A commitment to and interest in the mission of the department: to enhance public safety through community-centered approaches to prevention and intervention as alternatives to policing and the criminal legal system.

+ Ability to maintain confidentiality standards and ethic practices at all times.

+ Must successfully complete PREA (Prison Rape Elimination Act) training within six (6) months of start date, as mandated by federal standards for individuals working with incarcerated or formerly incarcerated populations. Failure to complete this training within the designated timeframe may result in disqualification/termination from the position.

Additional Preferred Skills

+ Experience engaging with individuals under high stress, including those impacted by mental illness, substance use, intellectual and developmental disabilities, justice involvement, or homelessness. Lived experience in these areas strongly valued.

+ Knowledge of service delivery systems including counseling, treatment planning, documentation, utilization review, and NC clinical policies (e.g., ACT, CST, IOP, SACOT, Innovations Waiver). Skilled in data management and maintaining HIPAA compliance.

+ Bilingual abilities, especially in Spanish, are highly preferred. Familiarity with Durham’s health systems and community resources is a plus.

+ Strong interpersonal and collaboration skills, with a demonstrated commitment to community advancement and advocacy—particularly within Durham.

+ W.R.A.P (Wellness Recovery Action Plan) certified

+ Peer support experience with justice involved residents

+ Personal lived experience with those struggling with symptoms of mental illness, Intellectual Developmental Disabilities, alcohol or other drug use, justice involvement and/or homelessness.

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 related experience do you have with peer counseling or related work with diverse populations?

+ 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 related direct lived experience do you have related to justice impacted, substance use, behavioral health, or the criminal justice system?

+ 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 engaging with individuals under high stress, including those impacted by mental illness, substance use, intellectual and developmental disabilities, justice involvement, or homelessness?

+ No experience

+ Beginner level

+ Intermediate level

+ Advanced level

+ Expert level

08

How would you rate your proficiency with Basic Computer work applications (such as email, MS Office, etc.)?

+ No experience

+ Beginner level

+ Intermediate level

+ Advanced level

+ Expert level

09

How would you rate your understanding of behavioral health symptoms and crisis intervention strategies, with the ability to connect individuals to appropriate resources?

+ No experience

+ Beginner level

+ Intermediate level

+ Advanced level

+ Expert level

10

Have you completed a mental health, peer support specialist, or equivalent certificate program?

+ Yes

+ No

11

Do you have a Peer Support Specialist Certification ?

+ Yes, I have a Peer Support Specialist Certification

+ No, I do NOT have a Peer Support Specialist Certification, but I AM willing and able to obtain one within 6 months of my start date

+ No, I do NOT have a Peer Support Specialist Certification, and I AM NOT willing or able to obtain one within 6 months of my start date

12

Are you willing and able to travel to and from worksite and other locations within Durham?

+ Yes

+ No

13

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

+ Yes

+ No

14

Are you willing and able to maintain confidentiality standards and ethic practices at all times?

+ Yes

+ No

15

Have you completed a PREA (Prison Rape Elimination Act) training? (or are you willing and able to complete it within six (6) months of start date)?

+ Yes, I have completed a PREA (Prison Rape Elimination Act) training

+ No, I have not completed a PREA (Prison Rape Elimination Act) training, but I AM willing and able to complete it within 6 months of my start date.

+ No, I have not completed a PREA (Prison Rape Elimination Act) training, and I AM NOT willing or able to complete it within 6 months of my start date.

16

Do you have a W.R.A.P (Wellness Recovery Action Plan) certification ?

+ Yes

+ No

17

Do you have previous peer support experience with justice involved residents?

+ Yes

+ No

18

How would you rate your familiarity with Durham’s health systems and community resources?

+ No experience

+ Beginner level

+ Intermediate level

+ Advanced level

+ Expert level

19

How would you rate your knowledge level of service delivery systems including counseling, treatment planning, documentation, utilization review, and NC clinical policies (e.g., ACT, CST, IOP, SACOT, Innovations Waiver)?

+ No experience

+ Beginner level

+ Intermediate level

+ Advanced level

+ Expert level

20

Do you have personal lived experience with those struggling with symptoms of mental illness, Intellectual Developmental Disabilities, alcohol or other drug use, justice involvement and/or homelessness?

+ Yes

+ No

21

Are you proficient in the Spanish language (speak, read, and write)?

+ Yes

+ No

Required Question