START Family Mentor

**This role requires that candidates themselves have lived experience with substance use, recovery, and child welfare.

At Easterseals PORT Health (ESPH), our mission is rooted in empowering individuals, strengthening families, and creating pathways to recovery and hope. We are seeking a compassionate and dedicated full-time START Family Mentor in the Craven County area to join our Child First START Team.

This isn't just a job, it's an opportunity to use your own recovery journey and life experiences to help families overcome challenges, build resilience, and work toward reunification and long-term success. As a valued member of our collaborative and supportive team, you'll play a critical role in helping families impacted by substance use disorders discover that recovery is possible.

Work Schedule: 8:00am - 5:00pm Monday-Friday

Your Role in Our Mission

As a START Family Mentor, you'll use your lived experience to provide peer support, encouragement, and practical guidance to families involved with the child welfare system and affected by substance use disorders.

Working as part of a specialized START (Sobriety Treatment and Recovery Teams) dyad, you'll partner with a specially trained child welfare professional to help families navigate treatment, court, child welfare, and community support systems while promoting recovery, healing, and family unity.

In this role, you will:

• Provide hope, mentorship, and advocacy based on your lived recovery experience
• Support families as they navigate child welfare, treatment, court, and community resources
• Help parents engage in recovery and build sustainable support networks
• Collaborate with child welfare workers, treatment providers, and community partners
• Educate community stakeholders and child welfare staff about recovery and substance use disorders
• Participate in collaborative case planning and decision-making that puts families first

NOTE: This role includes community-based work and travel throughout the Craven County service area.

Why Join Us?

At Easterseals PORT Health, we recognize that lived experience is a powerful tool for change. We value the unique perspective you bring and provide the support, resources, and professional development opportunities you need to thrive.

As part of our mission, you'll make a lasting impact on families while working alongside a dedicated team that believes in recovery, resilience, and second chances.

We also offer a comprehensive benefits package for benefits-eligible positions.

Compensation & Benefits

• Competitive hourly rate: $21.63 - $22.50, based on education and experience
• Flexible, non-traditional schedule
• Generous paid time off and paid holidays
• Full benefits package including Medical, Dental, and Vision benefits
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA) options
• Life and Disability Insurance
• 403(b) Retirement Plan
• Employee Assistance Program and legal services support
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) qualifying employer
• Supervision for licensure

What We're Looking For

To join our team, you must bring authenticity, empathy, and a passion for helping families navigate recovery and the child welfare system. We are looking for someone who can inspire hope, build meaningful relationships, and support families on their path toward healing and stability.

We also require:

• Certified Peer Support Specialist (CPSS) Certification, or willingness to obtain within one year
• Minimum of two years in sustained recovery
• Personal lived experience with substance use and recovery
• Direct or indirect lived experience with the child welfare system
• High School Diploma, GED, or equivalent
• Valid driver's license and reliable transportation
• Commitment to abstinence from substance use (individuals utilizing MOUD are encouraged to apply)
• Ability to collaborate effectively with families, child welfare professionals, and community partners

Ready to Apply?

Join a team where your lived experience is not only valued, it's essential. Use your recovery journey to create hope, strengthen families, and make a difference that lasts.

Apply today at www.eastersealsPORT.com or send your resume to recruiter@eastersealsPORT.com.

**Voted Raleigh's Best Nonprofit Organization and Raleigh's Best Mental Health Services two years in a row!**

About Easterseals PORT Health

Easterseals PORT Health is a trustworthy and compassionate partner, providing exceptional services in disability, mental health, and substance use treatment to help our neighbors live their best lives. Purpose, dedication, and empathy drive our in-person and telehealth service delivery.

Our 2,600-member team provides more than 10.2 million hours of meaningful support to 40,200 children, adults, and families across 11,000 home, facility, and community locations throughout North Carolina and Virginia.

Easterseals PORT Health is an Inclusive Culture, Different Voices, Embracing Potential, Authentic Self, and Learning and Growing (IDEAL) organization.

Applicants of all abilities are encouraged to apply!