Peer Support Specialist / CARE Team presso Town of Chapel Hill, NC

About the Department

Summary

This position is part of the Crisis Assistance Response and Engagement (CARE) Team. The CARE team responds remotely and/or in person to behavioral health emergencies that do not require a law enforcement response.?This position is primarily dedicated to serving on the mobile CARE Team unit. 

The Peer Support Specialist uses their lived experience to support community members facing challenges related to mental health, substance use, homelessness, or barriers created by criminal justice involvement. Through sharing personal experiences, they build trusting relationships, foster community connections, and help individuals develop support networks.

In collaboration with a Crisis Counselor and a Community EMT, the Peer Support Specialist responds to non-emergency 911 behavioral health calls. Together, the team delivers immediate crisis intervention and support services with the goal of enhancing stability and minimizing interactions with law enforcement, emergency mental health hospitalization, and incarceration.  Guided by harm reduction principles, the position promotes safety, empowerment, and improved quality of life for community members.

This position is scheduled for late afternoon and evening shifts. Flexibility is required, as work hours may change to meet the evolving needs of the team, department, and community.

Position Duties

Essential Functions

• Respond with a team, that also includes a community EMT and a Crisis Counselor, to behavioral health calls that do not require a law enforcement response.
• Assess for immediate safety and stabilization needs.
• Provide follow-up contact with appropriate parties once situation is stabilized.  Must be willing to deliver services in varying environments such as homes, schools, jails, homeless shelters, campsites, and various community locations.
• Customize response approaches to fit the community member’s individual needs.
• Respond to concerns from citizens, other town employees, or human service agencies regarding individuals needing services for stabilization.
• Participate in community outreach and engagement activities
• Ensure up-to-date knowledge and methods of profession by attending and participating in training, participating with clinical and administrative supervision, and other staff developmental activities; and provides input to department procedures and operations.
• Provide mutual aid to assist other law enforcement, court, schools and victim service agencies as appropriate.
• Act as a liaison between the Police Department and other service agencies such as local mental health agencies and hospitals, social and human services agencies, emergency service providers, civic and community groups and court personnel.  
• Communicate and collaborate effectively with other team members and community resources for referrals, information sharing, continuity of care, and to manage triangulation and potential conflicts.
• Initiate, complete, and maintain accurate program records and documentation in accordance with policies and procedures.  
• Report relevant information to the correct resource and prioritize the community member’s needs.
• Utilize the community member’s expertise in problem-solving and solution seeking.
• Work interdependently with others toward common goals.
• Performs other duties as required.

None

Physical Demands
The work requires intermittent sitting, standing, walking, running, or stooping. This position requires the ability to traverse adverse or uneven terrain, and work in all weather conditions. The employee uses equipment requiring a high degree of dexterity and medium strength. The employee must possess the visual and hearing acuity to operate position-related technology. 

Work Environment

This is a field-based crisis response position. 

Minimum Qualifications

Education

High School Diploma or GED equivalent. 

Experience

An equivalent combination of education and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the duties of the job.  Lived experience in mental health, substance use, homelessness or barriers accessing services due to involvement in the criminal justice system. 

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of relevant laws, regulations and policies regarding social service provision, reporting requirements, data practices and client rights.
• Knowledge of and sensitivity to cultural differences and special needs of various marginalized groups and vulnerable populations.
• Knowledge of community resources including functions of other human service agencies and organizations.
• Knowledge of peer recovery philosophy and practice as it applies to community members with behavioral health challenges.
• Knowledge of harm reduction principles and strategies.
• Ability to prioritize work.
• Ability to develop and maintain effective professional work relationships and therapeutic relationships with clients.
• Ability to tolerate high levels of stress.
• Ability to assess, develop, and document an individualized intervention plan with the community member.
• Ability to analyze a situation and work collaboratively to mobilize assistance from resources. 
• Ability to learn and help navigate all applicable resources.
• Ability and eagerness to spend time outdoors and in the community with vulnerable individuals, some of whom are experiencing homelessness.
• Ability to set strong professional boundaries.
• Ability to assess, intervene and follow up on safety and crisis situations.
• Ability to work as a member of a team.
• Ability to establish and maintain working relationships with employees, community members and supervisors.
• Ability to work respectfully with business personnel, social service providers and external partners.
• Ability to accurately track and report program data to supervisor.
• Ability to effectively communicate with team members, department leaders and other stakeholders.
• Model behavior that is consistent with our town values of RESPECT

Certifications

Possession of Peer Support Certification.

Possession of or the ability to obtain a valid driver’s license issued by the state of NC.  

Other Qualifications

This classification has been designated as Safety Sensitive and is subject to random drug and alcohol testing. 

The position is driving essential and must conform to the Town's Safe Driving and Accident Policy and procedures.