Peer Support Specialist

Salary

$49, $77,169.00 Annually

Location

Durham, NC

Job Type

Full time with benefits

Job Number

Department

Community Safety

Opening Date

12/15/2025

Closing Date

Continuous

Work. Serve. Thrive. With the City of Durham
Advance in your career while making a real difference in the community you serve.

Hiring Range: $49,737 - $59,613 Salaries are determined based upon your education and/or relevant certifications and work experience.

Hours: Full-time with benefits, 40 hours per week, 12 hour shifts, 4 hours of administrative work time, and a 6 week rotational schedule. Shift hours will remain the same unless an employee discusses a change. Responders will work one out of every three weekends. They will also have a six to seven day break every six weeks (built into their schedule). More information on schedule will be given during the interview process.

In 2022, the Durham Community Safety Department (DCSD) launched four 911 crisis response programs—collectively known as HEART (Holistic Empathetic Assistance Response Teams). Please visit our website and dashboard, watch this CNN clip, listen to this NPR segment, or read this piece from The Assembly. In 2025, DCSD has added a new division focused on Stabilization Services. This expansion represents an exciting new phase in DCSD's development—and a thrilling opportunity to pair alternative response programs with stabilization services that can better support Neighbors.

ABOUT THE ROLE
DCSD is currently hiring Certified Peer Support Specialists for our Community Response Teams. DCSD recognizes lived experience as an important form of expertise that helps better position our teams to provide compassionate care.

The Community Response Team sends multi-person teams— that may include a Clinician (Team Lead), Peer Support Specialist, and/or an EMT. These teams respond to 911 calls involving behavioral health and quality of life related concerns. CRT responds in-person, without law enforcement and our data has shown a safety rating for over 99 percent of calls. Peer Support Specialists regularly engage with Neighbors by providing input on community resources, interventions, and support through the lens of their previous lived experience.

• Respond to 911 calls involving mental health, behavioral health, substance use, and related non-violent crises using trauma-informed, person-centered strategies. Collaborate with Community Responder Team members to assess needs, develop response plans, and provide culturally competent support. Ensure warm handoffs and follow-up based on peer preference and clinical guidance.
• Maintain timely and accurate documentation in compliance with agency and regulatory standards. Foster strong communication and partnerships with staff, clients, and community agencies.
• Engage in supervision, team meetings, and professional development, integrating lived experience and peer voices into planning and evaluation. Support strategic initiatives related to crisis response and team culture.
• Commitment to personal wellness and self-disclosure. Uphold personal resilience and self-care practices to sustain wellness in a high-intensity first responder role. Maintain effective communication about needs and/or challenges.

• High school diploma or GED
• Completion of a mental health, peer support specialist, or equivalent certificate program

• Two years of experience related to substance use, behavioral health, or the criminal justice system
  Peer Support Specialist Certification- - LINK

• Two years of experience in peer counseling or related work with diverse populations

• Must be able to travel within Durham
• Walk or stand for up to 75% of a shift
• Basic computer proficiency

• Strong understanding of behavioral health symptoms and crisis intervention strategies, with the ability to connect individuals to appropriate resources.
• Demonstrated commitment to the department's mission and values.
• Prior professional experience in crisis response or intervention is preferred.
• Ability to speak multiple languages with a priority on the Spanish language.
• Basic EMT certification as issued by the North Carolina Office of Emergency Medical Services.

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

Employer

City of Durham

Address

101 City Hall Plaza

Durham, North Carolina, 27701

Website