EMS Peer Support Specialist

Division: McDowell County Emergency Medical Services - Community Paramedic Division
Location: McDowell County, North Carolina
Schedule: Primarily Monday–Friday with flexible hours based on operational need, outreach
activities, emergency activations, and community engagement events
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

McDowell County Emergency Services is accepting applications for the position of Peer Support Specialist. This position performs responsible paraprofessional and outreach work supporting individuals affected by substance use disorder, behavioral health challenges, homelessness,
and barriers to healthcare access. The Peer Support Specialist works closely with Community Paramedicine personnel, healthcare providers, behavioral health agencies, shelters, and community organizations to provide outreach, recovery support, care coordination, and continuity of care services throughout
McDowell County. The position assists with overdose follow up initiatives, recovery engagement, linkage to treatment and support services, harm reduction education, and community outreach activities designed to improve outcomes for individuals and families affected by substance use disorder. The Peer Support Specialist utilizes lived experience, training, and community partnerships to promote hope, recovery, and long-term engagement with healthcare and support systems. Selected applicants may be subject to an applicable probationary period in accordance with county personnel policy.

? Conduct outreach and follow up activities involving individuals experiencing substance use disorder, behavioral health challenges, homelessness, or barriers to healthcare access.
? Assist with overdose follow up and recovery engagement initiatives.
? Provide peer support services utilizing lived experience and recovery principles.
? Assist individuals with linkage to treatment services, healthcare providers, transportation resources, housing programs, food assistance, and other community resources.
? Participate in hotspot outreach, shelter outreach, Recovery Community Center outreach, and multidisciplinary community engagement initiatives.
? Work closely with Community Paramedicine personnel and healthcare partners to promote continuity of care and long-term recovery.
? Assist with harm reduction education and distribution efforts.
? Maintain documentation and referral records in approved reporting systems.
? Participate in agency-wide behavioral health, trauma informed care, stigma reduction, and recovery-focused initiatives.
? Collaborate with healthcare providers, behavioral health organizations, public safety agencies, and community partners to improve outcomes for vulnerable populations.
? Participate in meetings, outreach events, training opportunities, and multidisciplinary coordination activities.
? Perform additional duties as assigned in support of Community Paramedicine and Emergency Services operations.

? Graduation from high school or GED equivalent.
? Current North Carolina Certified Peer Support Specialist credential
? Valid North Carolina driver's license with acceptable driving record.
? Current American Heart Association (AHA) CPR certification or ability to obtain within ninety (90) days of hire.
? Completion of FEMA ICS 100, ICS 200, ICS 700, and ICS 800 courses within ninety (90) days of hire.  

Additional Requirements
? Successful completion of required background check, drug screening, and any applicable county pre-employment requirements.
? Ability to work flexible hours including occasional evenings, weekends, emergency activations, and community events.
? Ability to maintain appropriate boundaries and confidentiality in accordance with applicable laws, regulations, and ethical standards.

Preferred Qualifications
? Previous experience in peer support, recovery services, behavioral health, human services, EMS, healthcare, or case management.
? Experience working with individuals affected by substance use disorder or behavioral health conditions.
? Experience with outreach, harm reduction, or community-based recovery initiatives.
? Experience working within multidisciplinary healthcare or public safety environments.
? EMT certification or willingness to pursue EMS-related education and training opportunities to support integration with Community Paramedicine and emergency services operations.

Physical Demands and Work Environment
Employees must be able to perform the essential functions of the position with or without
reasonable accommodation.

Work involves frequent standing, walking, driving, lifting, and working within dynamic community and field environments. Employees may be exposed to emotionally charged situations, communicable illnesses, inclement weather, and other conditions associated with outreach and emergency services operations. Employees may work within shelters, healthcare facilities, community centers, public spaces, private residences, and other environments during routine outreach activities. Employees are expected to use appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) and follow all applicable safety, infection control, confidentiality, and county operational procedures.

How to Apply

PRE-EMPLOYMENT DRUG SCREENING AND BACKGROUND CHECK IS REQUIRED

APPLICANTS WILL BE GIVEN CREDIT ONLY FOR INFORMATION PROVIDED IN RESPONSE TO THIS ANNOUNCEMENT. No additional information will be solicited by the McDowell County; therefore, persons who submit incomplete applications may not receive full credit for their education, training and experience.

McDowell County is an equal opportunity employer.  It is the policy of the County to recruit, hire, train and promote individuals without regard to age, sex, race, color, religion, political affiliation or national origin. The County will interactively work with disabled applicants and employees to identify reasonable accommodations that will allow the individual to perform essential job functions. 

McDowell County participates in E-Verify.

Applications are available:

• on our website:

              www.mcdowellhrportal.org- under “Job Opportunities”

• McDowell County Administration Building:

              25 W Fort Street Marion, NC 28752

Applications can be submitted:

• Online at www.mcdowellhrportal.org

• in person at the County Administration building:

              25 W Fort Street Marion, NC 28752

• or by Mail to:

               McDowell County Human Resources

               60 East Court Street Marion, NC 28752

• or by email to: 

               employment@mcdowellgov.com