Peer Support Specialist

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Join a dedicated team committed to empowering individuals on their recovery journeys and strengthening the health of our community.  In this role, you’ll build meaningful, trusting relationships, help connect people to valuable community resources, and support them in developing skills for long-term wellness and independence. You’ll collaborate with care teams and community partners to ensure person-centered support while contributing to outreach and engagement efforts that promote recovery and resilience. You’ll also enjoy outstanding benefits, a supportive work environment, and opportunities for professional growth. If you’re looking for a role where your experiences can inspire hope and create lasting impact, this is your opportunity to make a difference.

This position provides support, guidance, and mentorship to individuals navigating challenges related to substance use and mental health while also helping to connect Chatham residents to services they may need. This role leverages lived and living experience to foster trust, encourage recovery and well-being, and connect clients with community resources. The Peer Support Specialist serves as a bridge between clients and services, helping individuals develop coping strategies, access necessary resources, and build resilience through shared experiences.

Position functions are subject to change based on departmental needs and external factors including, but not limited to, regulatory requirements.

• Leads the development and facilitation of peer-led support groups, and partners with community organizations to support the Syringe Service Program (SSP). Groups held will be determined by the needs expressed within the community;
• The Chatham County Public Health Department provides buprenorphine and buprenorphine-naloxone via CCHS clinic. This positions provides services to individuals who express interest or need for ongoing support;
• Provides peer-based support and mentorship to individuals who are in need of support related to current, recurrent, or past substance use, fostering hope and motivation, including but not limited to people accessing clinic services;
• Facilitates one-on-one and group discussions to promote well-being, encourages open dialogue about recovery and healing and self-care strategies;
• Assists clients in navigating systems that impact overall health, including explaining processes, accompanying them to appointments, and advocating for their needs (housing, food security, etc.);
• Advocates for client needs and helps them develop self-advocacy skills to foster independence and self-determination;
• Provides immediate emotional support and crisis de-escalation to individuals in distress while referring them to appropriate professional services;
• Maintains accurate records of client interactions, progress, and challenges while adhering to confidentiality and ethical standards;
• Collaborates with healthcare providers, social workers, and other professionals to ensure coordinated and effective support;
• Organizes and participates in community outreach programs, peer-led workshops, and support groups;
• Upholds ethical guidelines and maintains confidentiality to ensure a safe and trustworthy environment for clients;
• Engages in ongoing professional development, training, and supervision to enhance skills and effectiveness in the role;
• Supports harm reduction efforts to mitigate the impacts of overdose in the Chatham community;
• Actively partners with Starting Point Rural Harm Reduction Collaborative’s Syringe Services program to deliver essential harm reduction materials directly to the Chatham Community;
• Increases access to health care services by aiding in the development of peer support services for the clinic, as well as the CCPHD mobile clinic with the goal of providing social support and resources to individuals accessing mobile health services;
• Provides drug checking services via UNC Street Drug Analysis Lab to individuals who use drugs in the community;
• Participates in public forums, engages with community members, and advocates for public health approaches to substance use;
• Participates in community coalitions and committees on efforts to address housing and peer respite;
• Acts as a bridge and resource between the community and essential care by helping peers access substance use and mental health treatment;
• Helps clients navigate local resources for housing, food, and transportation that are essential for a healthy, stable, and stronger path to recovery;
• Engages with and expands community partnerships with organizations in the county such as: UNC Chatham Hospital, Central Pines Regional Council Street Outreach Worker, Salvation Army, LOVE Chatham, Veteran Services Officer, Second Bloom, Court Diversion and Advocacy Program, DSS, mental health and substance use treatment providers, etc.; 
• Assists in recruiting, training, and mentoring volunteers with lived/living experience to increase engagement with various advisory committees (e.g. Substance Use and Harm Reduction Advisory Committee); 
• Works alongside staff to ensure clients receive holistic support tailored to their recovery journey; 
• Assists in developing and delivering training sessions on substance use recovery, and peer support best practices for community members and professionals;
• Helps document peer support successes and outcomes, contributing to reports for grant applications and funding initiatives;
• Advocates and represents CCPHD at various coalitions such as the Sheriff’s Prevention Partnership on Controlled Substances, Chatham Housing Collective, Chatham Health Alliance, Chatham Drug Free, Chatham Crisis Response Collaborative, etc.;
• Serves as a resource for others in the Chatham community by (1) providing guidance to other community organizations and members on how to connect to available community resources, (2) assists with the coordination of a collaborative of staff across agencies who connect clients in specific programs to resources, (3) assists with the development and maintenance of resources and outreach materials to raise awareness of community-based services (e.g., online directories, print materials, etc.), and (4) participates in outreach events and community collaboratives;
• Perform other duties as assigned.

High school diploma or GED; Certification as a Peer Support Specialist strongly preferred. Experience with mental health and/or substance use recovery, and a willingness to share personal recovery journey appropriately. Spanish-speaking preferred.

• Strong communication, listening, and interpersonal skills;
• Ability to build rapport and trust with clients;
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team, maintaining professionalism in various settings;
• Knowledge of community resources, recovery-oriented & harm reduction-oriented services, and peer support models;
• Ability to demonstrate empathy and patience with cultural competency and sensitivity;
• Ability to establish trust, demonstrating cultural competency and sensitivity;

• Ability to demonstrate strong emotional resilience and self-care strategies in response to emotionally charged situations and individuals in crisis;
• Understanding of trauma-informed care and harm reduction approaches;
• Basic computer literacy for documentation, reporting, and communication with team members;

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with associates and the general public.  

Chatham County is fully committed to equal employment opportunity (EEO) principles and issues this anti-discrimination/EEO compliance clause to support and maintain employee’s rights and responsibilities relating to equal employment. The core of equal employment opportunity is the right to work and advance on the basis of merit, ability, and potential, free from prejudice or discrimination. In accordance with the applicable anti-discrimination statutes, executive orders, and other authorities, Chatham County protects employees against discrimination, to the fullest extent of law, on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, political affiliation, whistleblower activity, parental status, and military service (past, present, or future), and against retaliation for participation in EEO activity or opposition to discrimination.