Peer Support Specialist*

Peer Support Specialist*

Salary

$49,247.00 - $65,832.00 Annually

Location

Emergency Services, NC

Job Type

Time Limited

Job Number

118-2026-1403

Department

Emergency Services

Opening Date

07/10/2026

Closing Date

7/27/2026 11:59 PM Eastern

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

General Description

The Orange County Emergency Services Department has an opening for a time-limited Peer Support Specialist.

The work involves the responsibility of serving as a member of the Post-Overdose Response Team (PORT); a standard of care in providing field-based medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD) and providing individuals with services to ensure survival and well-being. This is accomplished by connecting individuals experiencing opioid use disorder (OUD) directly to short term and ongoing treatment from the avenues of EMS incidents, local partner referrals, and the public at large.

Work is performed under the general direction of the Bureau Chief of Community Health and Safety with leeway to exercise independent judgment within the framework of applicable rules, regulations, policies, and procedures in the performance of duties; both in terms of planning and accomplishing work, and in making decisions regarding customer needs and requests and conducting project assignments. Supervision over others is not required of this position. Position does related work as required.

Hiring range is based on the Orange County Step Plan. The Step Plan is based on years of experience, education and certifications.

• This is a safety sensitive position and participation in the Drug and Alcohol Program is required. An SBI background Check is required.

Full Performance of Knowledge, Skills, Abilities

Click the link below for full job specifications.

https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/orangecountync/classspecs/1627354

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Possession of a High School Diploma or GED equivalent AND must have a valid and active North Carolina Certified Peer Support Specialist (NCPSS) certification that has been active for at least two (2) years.

Work experience using Microsoft Word, Excel, and Access.

Work experience in directly providing or coordinating programs in areas of social work, health services, counseling, or closely related work is preferred.

Experience serving as a partner on a Post Overdose Response Team (PORT) is preferred.

Lived experience with either substance use disorder or mental health is preferred.

Bilingual ability is preferred.

Must provide the following by scheduled start date:

• Measles (vaccination or titer)
• Mumps (vaccination or titer)
• Rubella (vaccination or titer)
• Varicella (Chicken Pox) (vaccination or titer)
• Pertussis (Tdap)
• Hepatitis B Vaccination
• Proof of Hepatitis B vaccination for healthcare providers or positive titer.
• If previously unvaccinated, need 2-dose Heplisav-B) or3-dose (Engerix-B or Recombivax HB) series.
• For HCP who perform task involving exposure to blood or body fluids, proof of anti-HBs serological testing 1-2monthsafter dose#2(for Heplisav-B)or dose#3(for Engerix-B or Recombivax HB).

Proof of a current (within last 12 months) TB evaluation which may include:

• Evidence of negative 2-step skin testing as defined in the NC TB Control Plan
• Evidence of a positive TB test followed by a negative chest film and a negative review of symptoms completed within 30 days
• Evidence of a negative interferon gamma release assay (IGRA)
• Evidence of a positive IGRA followed by a negative chest film and a negative review of symptoms completed within 30 days

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

Possession of or ability to readily obtain a valid driver's license issued by the State of North Carolina for the type of vehicle or equipment operated.

All offers of employment are conditional upon successful clearance of an SBI background check and pre-employment drug testing. Employment cannot commence until the employee has been cleared.

In accordance with Section 28 of the Orange County Code of Ordinances, and/or relevant State and Federal statutes, candidates for employment may be required to undergo fingerprinting and a criminal history background check based on the job responsibilities of the position. A fingerprinting check is conducted by the State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) and a criminal history background check is conducted by an authorized Federal or State regulatory agency to determine eligibility for appointment. Employment is contingent upon successful clearance through these checks, which are mandated for certain roles depending on the nature of the job and applicable laws.

Further, all offers of employment are contingent upon the satisfactory verification of your eligibility for employment, successful completion of the required pre-employment testing and/or screening, including drug testing when required and the submission and approval of all new hire documentation completion of your new hire paperwork.

Orange County is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer

Supplemental Information

Orange County provides a competitive benefits package for permanent full-time and permanent part-time employees that includes:

• Participation in the North Carolina State Retirement System;

• Orange County contributes 15.10% of your base salary per pay period and 17.10% for LEO.

• Health Insurance (Medical)

• Orange County pays 100% of premiums for employee only coverage health insurance.

• Orange County pays a portion of premiums for dependent(s) coverage health insurance.

• Dental Insurance

• Orange County pays 100% of premiums for employee only coverage for dental insurance.

• Orange County pays a portion of premiums for dependent(s) coverage for dental insurance.

• Vision Insurance

• Orange County offers vision insurance for employee and dependent coverage with premiums rates between $5-$15 bi-weekly.

• Life Insurance

• Orange County pays for an employee life insurance policy based on employees' salary up to $50,000.

• Optional Life Insurance for employee and dependent life insurance policy.

• Short Term Disability

• Orange County pays for an employee short term disability policy that provides income protection up to 11 weeks with a weekly benefit of 70% of your weekly salary.

• Optional Long Term Disability Coverage Policy

• Optional Insurance Policies: Pet Discount Program, Identity Theft Insurance, Legal Insurance

• 401(k) and 457 Deferred Compensation Plans

• Orange County contributes $104 per pay period ($2704.00 annually) for supplemental retirement and you will have the option to select between which investment firm you would like to have these funds contributed to.

• 12 Paid Holidays

• Anniversary Leave ( 8 hours of leave on your anniversary each year)

• Annual Leave (based on service years and a 40-hour work schedule, pro-rated for permanent part time employees)

• 0-2 Years of Service = 125.84 hours/year

• 2-5 Years of Service = 145.08 hours/year

• 5-10 Years of Service = 173.68 hours/year

• 10-15 Years of Service = 202.80 hours/year

• 15-20 Years of Service = 231.40 hours/year

• 20+ Years of Service = 260.52 hours/year

• Sick Leave (based on service years and a 40-hour work schedule)

• 96.2 hours/year

• Tuition reimbursement assistance

• Various other leave programs including civil, funeral, parental, etc.

01

Orange County is an E-Verify employer. E-Verify is a program that electronically confirms an employees eligibility to work in the United States after completion of the Employment Eligibility Verification Form (Form I-9). I understand, that if hired, my employment eligibility will be verified through E-Verify.

• Yes

02

I understand that resumes are welcomed but do not substitute for the work experience section of this application and failure to complete the work experience section will result in an incomplete application, which will not be considered for eligibility. Did you fully complete the work experience section of this application?

• Yes
• No

03

Are you an Orange County Local Government employee?

• Yes, I am a Permanent Employee that has passed the Probationary Period
• Yes, I am an Employee but I have not passed the Probationary Period
• Yes, I am a Temporary Employee
• No, I am not an Employee

04

Do you have or are you able to obtain a drivers license valid in the State of North Carolina?

• Yes
• No

05

Please indicate your highest level of education from an accredited school.

• High School or GED
• Associates Degree
• Bachelors Degree
• Masters Degree
• Professional Certifications

06

Do you currently possess a valid North Carolina Certified Peer Support Specialist (NCCPSS) certification?

• Yes
• No

07

Please list the software programs within the Microsoft Suite you consider yourself proficient in using. If none, type N/A

08

Do you have experience in directly providing or coordinating programs in areas of social work, health services, counseling, or closely related work?

• Yes
• No

09

Do you have experience serving as a partner on a Post Overdose Response Team (PORT)?

• Yes
• No

10

Please describe your experience related to this position. If none, indicate N/A.

11

Please indicate your proficiency in Spanish.

• I cannot read, write or speak Spanish
• I am proficient at reading and writing in Spanish
• I am proficient at speaking Spanish
• I am fluent in reading, writing and speaking Spanish

12

As a new hire, you will be required to attend the New Hire Orientation Monday, September 21, 2026 through, Friday, October 23 ,2026. Will you be available to attend this mandatory orientation? This is scheduled Monday through Friday from 8am to 5 pm. NOTE: you must attend the entire academy- leave exceptions will not be considered

• Yes
• No

Required Question

Employer Orange County Government

Address 131 W. Margaret Lane, 3rd Floor

Hillsborough, North Carolina, 27278

Phone 919-245-2550

Website http://www.orangecountync.gov