Welcome Home Peer Support Specialist

City of Durham•Durham, NC

40d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Welcome Home Program supports individuals returning to Durham after incarceration as they navigate the transition back into the community. The team provides person-centered, wraparound support by connecting individuals to essential resources, addressing barriers to successful reentry, and helping participants work toward goals related to housing, employment, healthcare, and overall stability. Welcome Home promotes long-term success by providing ongoing guidance, encouragement, and meaningful connections to community-based services. DCSD is currently hiring a Certified Peer Support Specialist for our Welcome Home Program. DCSD recognizes lived experience as an important form of expertise that strengthens our ability to provide compassionate, person-centered support. The Peer Support Specialist serves as a mentor, advocate, and resource connector for individuals returning to Durham after incarceration. Drawing from lived experience, this role provides individualized support during the critical first 120 days after release, helping participants navigate housing, employment, healthcare, identification, and other essential resources. The Peer Support Specialist works closely with the Local Reentry Council and community partners to help participants build supportive networks, develop wellness and recovery plans, and work toward long-term stability and successful reintegration.

Requirements

Minimum of a high school diploma or GED, with 1 year of direct lived experience related to justice impacted, substance use, behavioral health, or the criminal justice system.
Peer Support Specialist Certification --- LINK
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.
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.
walk or stand for up to 75% of a shift, and 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.
Selected candidates must successfully complete PREA (Prison Rape Elimination Act) training within six (6) months of hire, 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 from the position.
Basic computer skills (digital literacy), including email, electronic records, Microsoft Office, and virtual meeting platforms.
Must have a valid driver’s license

Nice To Haves

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.
North Carolina Certified Peer Support Specialist certification or eligibility to obtain certification; WRAP certification is preferred.
Experience with reentry, peer support, behavioral health, recovery, homelessness services, or community-based programs.
Knowledge of Durham-area resources, including housing, employment, healthcare, treatment, benefits, and other supportive services.
Training or experience in motivational interviewing, trauma-informed care, crisis response, conflict resolution, or Mental Health First Aid.
Strong communication, relationship-building, advocacy, organization, and documentation skills.
Ability to remain calm under stress, maintain professional boundaries, accept feedback, and balance compassion with accountability.
Ability to work effectively with people from different backgrounds and life experiences.
Bilingual skills, particularly Spanish, are highly preferred.

Responsibilities

Engage newly referred participants, explain program expectations, and complete intake, needs assessments, reentry plans, and individualized goals.
Maintain consistent contact with an assigned caseload and use lived experience appropriately to build trust, encourage progress, and support successful reentry.
Connect participants to essential resources, including identification, housing, employment, education, healthcare, behavioral health services, benefits, transportation, and other basic needs.
Assist with applications, referrals, appointments, transportation, and follow-up while advocating for participants and building their self-advocacy skills.
Identify barriers that may impact stability or successful reentry and provide appropriate support while maintaining professional boundaries and following crisis-response procedures.
Maintain accurate and timely case documentation, track participant progress and outcomes, and protect confidentiality.
Collaborate with community partners, participate in supervision, meetings, training, and outreach, and support participants in planning for successful program completion.
Perform additional duties that support the daily operations and mission of the Welcome Home Program.