Lead Peer Support Specialist

Job Summary

Hope Coalition is seeking a North Carolina Certified Peer Support Specialist (CPSS) to join our adult recovery services team. This position provides direct recovery support to individuals seeking recovery from substance misuse, co-occurring disorders, and mental health challenges while helping maintain a welcoming, safe, and nonjudgmental environment at Hope Coalition's Recovery Community Center. Another component of this position is the day-to-day operations of the Recovery Community Center, including compiling participant data and board reports.

The ideal candidate will have experience providing one-on-one peer support, facilitating recovery groups, and completing accurate program documentation and reporting. Just as importantly, we are looking for someone who understands that how we treat people matters as much as the services we provide.

The successful candidate will be able to build meaningful relationships with participants while maintaining professional boundaries, practicing self-care, protecting confidentiality, working collaboratively with coworkers, and demonstrating the compassion necessary to work effectively in a recovery-focused environment.

Primary Responsibilities

• Assist with day-to-day operations in the Recovery Community Center as assigned by the Program Manager.
• Provide one-on-one peer support to individuals seeking recovery, resources, connection, or ongoing support.
• Meet participants where they are and provide support using a respectful, strengths-based, and nonjudgmental approach.
• Facilitate and support recovery-focused groups and meetings at the Recovery Community Center.
• Create an inclusive environment where participants feel comfortable being honest about their struggles without fear of shame or judgment.
• Assist participants with resource navigation, including connections to treatment, healthcare, housing, employment, behavioral health services, and other community resources.
• Support participant choice and recognize that recovery may look different from one person to another.
• Build trust by listening, communicating honestly, following through, and maintaining consistency with participants.
• Maintain appropriate professional boundaries while developing authentic and supportive relationships.
• Protect participant confidentiality and exercise discretion regarding what is communicated, where it is communicated, and with whom participant information is shared.
• Complete required participant documentation, data entry, and program reporting accurately and within established timelines.
• Document participant interactions objectively and professionally, avoiding assumptions, labels, or personal judgments.
• Assist with preparation of program information needed for monthly, grant, and organizational reporting.
• Collaborate with Hope Coalition staff to maintain appropriate participant support and Recovery Community Center coverage.
• Participate in staff meetings, training, continuing education, and professional development.
• Represent Hope Coalition professionally when interacting with participants, families, community partners, and the public.

Required Experience and Qualifications

• Current North Carolina Certified Peer Support Specialist (NCCPSS) certification.
• Lived experience relevant to recovery and the ability to use that experience appropriately within a professional peer-support role.
• Experience providing one-on-one peer support.
• Experience facilitating or leading recovery groups.
• Experience with documentation, data entry, recordkeeping, or program reporting.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Ability to work with individuals from different backgrounds, circumstances, and pathways to recovery without judgment.
• Ability to maintain participant confidentiality and exercise appropriate professional discretion.
• Ability to establish and maintain healthy professional boundaries.
• Ability to work independently while contributing positively to a collaborative team.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Basic computer skills and willingness to learn program-specific documentation and reporting systems.

Preferred Experience and Qualifications

Previous experience in a recovery community center, behavioral health, substance use recovery, or other community-based setting is preferred. Experience with resource navigation, community referrals, program data collection, grant-related reporting, or knowledge of recovery resources in Henderson County and surrounding communities is also beneficial.

Certified Drug and Alcohol Counseling (CADC) credential encouraged.

The Person We Are Looking For...

We're looking for someone who can balance compassion with professionalism and connection with responsibility.

You should be comfortable sitting down with someone who is struggling and listening without judgment. You should be able to lead a recovery group and create an inclusive environment where people feel comfortable participating. You should also understand that documentation, reporting, confidentiality, boundaries, and follow-through are important parts of the job.

You don't need to have every answer. We do expect you to ask questions, recognize your limits, communicate when you need support, and remain willing to learn.

Most importantly, we're looking for someone who believes people should be treated with dignity regardless of where they are in their journey—and who will help make Hope Coalition a place where participants feel welcomed, respected, supported, and never defined by their struggles.

Pay: $23.00 - $26.00 per hour

Benefits:

• Bereavement leave
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan

Work Location: In person

Salary : $23 - $26