Certified Peer Support Specialist and WCDC Group Counselor

Reports To: Peer Support Supervisor and designated Clinical/Program Supervisor (as assigned)

Position Summary: The Certified Peer Support Specialist and Wayne County Detention Center Group Counselor provides recovery-oriented peer support and facilitates structured behavioral health and substance use education groups for individuals served through the Wayne County Detention Center. The position uses lived experience, peer support principles, and approved group counseling/education practices to promote recovery, personal responsibility, healthy coping, and successful transition to community-based supports. This position serves as a bridge between peer support and detention-center programming by providing consistent, structured group services while maintaining professional boundaries, confidentiality, documentation, and compliance with DSIS and detention-center requirements.

Certified Peer Support Functions: Provide recovery mentorship, encouragement, and emotional support using lived experience and Certified Peer Support Specialist training. Facilitate peer-led recovery support, wellness, coping, and life-skills activities consistent with the individual's recovery goals. Model hope, resiliency, healthy coping strategies, self-advocacy, and personal responsibility in alignment with recovery principles. Engage individuals in a respectful, nonjudgmental, trauma-informed, and person-centered manner. Assist individuals in identifying strengths, recovery goals, natural supports, and appropriate community resources. Maintain appropriate professional boundaries and distinguish the peer role from clinical, correctional, and security functions. Document peer support contacts and activities accurately and timely according to DSIS standards and applicable program requirements.

Wayne County Detention Center Group Counselor Functions: Facilitate structured group sessions within the Wayne County Detention Center focused on substance use education, recovery, behavioral health, coping skills, decision-making, relapse prevention, and other approved topics. Deliver groups in a professional, engaging, and structured manner appropriate for a detention-center environment. Establish clear group expectations and maintain a safe, respectful, and therapeutic learning environment. Use evidence-informed educational and recovery-oriented approaches appropriate to the assigned population and scope of practice. Encourage participation, healthy communication, accountability, and development of practical coping and problem-solving skills. Recognize behavioral health or substance use concerns that may require additional attention and communicate concerns to the appropriate DSIS clinical or supervisory staff. Coordinate with detention-center personnel as appropriate while maintaining client confidentiality and professional boundaries. Follow all Wayne County Detention Center security procedures, visitation/access requirements, facility rules, and staff instructions. Maintain appropriate documentation of group attendance, participation, services provided, and other required information. Complete required service documentation and submit records within established DSIS timelines. Support continuity of care by helping individuals identify appropriate behavioral health, substance use, recovery, and community resources for release or transition when assigned.

Collaborative and Compliance Functions: Communicate effectively with DSIS supervisors, clinical staff, peer support staff, and authorized detention-center personnel. Participate in interdisciplinary meetings, supervision, staff meetings, training, and professional development as required. Adhere to DSIS confidentiality, ethical, professional conduct, documentation, and compliance standards. Maintain all required credentials, certifications, training, and clearances associated with the position and assigned facility. Follow all applicable DSIS policies and procedures and all applicable Wayne County Detention Center requirements. Report safety concerns, incidents, threats, or other issues through the appropriate DSIS and facility reporting channels. Perform other duties related to the position as assigned by the supervisor.

Required: Current North Carolina Certification as a Peer Support Specialist. Personal lived experience with mental health, substance use, or co-occurring challenges and demonstrated recovery. Ability to facilitate groups and communicate effectively with individuals from diverse backgrounds and circumstances. Strong communication, empathy, active listening, and interpersonal skills. Ability to maintain professional boundaries and exercise sound judgment in a structured and secure environment. Ability to work collaboratively with DSIS staff and detention-center personnel. Ability to comply with facility security procedures, background/clearance requirements, and other requirements established by Wayne County Detention Center. Ability to complete required documentation accurately and timely. Ability to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team.

Preferred: Experience facilitating substance use, recovery, behavioral health, or psychoeducational groups. Experience working in a behavioral health, substance use, justice-involved, reentry, or detention/correctional setting. Additional training in substance use, recovery coaching, trauma-informed care, motivational interviewing, or related behavioral health services. Familiarity with EHR documentation and Medicaid or behavioral health service documentation requirements. Bilingual skills where relevant to the population served.

Working Conditions: Work will include on-site service delivery at the Wayne County Detention Center and may include DSIS program or community settings as assigned. Position requires compliance with detention-center entry, security, identification, communication, and conduct procedures. The employee may work around individuals who are incarcerated or otherwise justice-involved and must maintain professional boundaries and situational awareness at all times. Scheduling may be based on detention-center programming needs and may require flexibility. Additional training or facility orientation may be required before beginning services.