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.

Description

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.
  
  

2. Case Support & Reentry Planning3. Resource Navigation4. Community Engagement & Advocacy5. Crisis Intervention & Conflict Resolution6. Documentation & Reporting7. Collaboration & Teamwork8. Professional Development

• 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.
• 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.
• 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
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• Attend ongoing training on peer support, motivational interviewing, trauma-informed care, and reentry best practices.
• Maintain certification as a Certified Peer Support Specialist (CPSS)
• 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 (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.
• 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.