Peer Support Specialist / Client Advocate I (Catawba)

Peer Support Specialist / Client Advocate I (Catawba)

Salary

$37,944.00 - $40,800.00 Annually

Location

York County, SC

Job Type

FTE - Full-Time

Job Number

193360

Agency

Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities

Division

Catawba Community Mental Health Center

Opening Date

10/05/2026

Closing Date

11/5/2026 11:59 PM Eastern

Class Code:

GA24

Position Number:

60019112

Normal Work Schedule:

Other

Pay Grade

GEN06

EEO Statement

Equal Opportunity Employer

Agency Specific Application Procedures:

Please complete the state application to include all current and previous work history and education using verifiable dates.

Normal Work Schedule (Other):

Although regular hours are Monday thru Friday, 8:30 am - 5:00 pm, some flexibility may be required to meet program needs.

Veteran Preference Statement

South Carolina is making our Veterans a priority for employment in state agencies and institutions.

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Job Responsibilities

Are you passionate about making a real difference in peoples lives? Join our team at the Office of Mental Health where we are dedicated to providing compassionate and accessible care to our community. We are seeking a Peer Support Specialist (PSS) / Client Advocate I who is motivated to help individuals and families navigate lifes challenges and achieve long-term wellness. If you want to use your skills to build a healthier, more resilient community, we encourage you to apply.

This position is located at the SC Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD) - Office of Mental Health, Catawba Community Mental Health Center (CCMHC), 205 Piedmont Blvd, Suite 100, Rock Hill, SC 29732.

In this position, you will promote recovery of persons with mental illnesses, substance use disorder, or co-occurring disorder via provision of peer support services.

Responsibilities for the Peer Support Specialist (PSS) / Client Advocate I include:

• Provide patient care hours annually ensuring that patients are seen in accordance with Level of Care (LOC) and prior authorizations are completed prior to delivery of services. This includes individual and group services in a variety of settings/locations. Peer support services include mentoring, recovery coaching, peer-led groups, and navigation for social needs (e.g. housing, food).
• Document all services using collaborative documentation and in accordance with state, federal, and CARF guidelines.
• Comply with Corporate Compliance and Risk Management Plans.
• Complete required training, SCEIS training modules, and maintain PSS Certification.
• Participation in BHDD PSS meetings / trainings.
• Demonstrate effective use of social and interpersonal knowledge and skills and demonstrate an understanding and appreciation of individual and group differences and similarities.
• Provide follow-up contacts to persons served in PSS program to ensure continuity of care and promotion of recovery.

Minimum and Additional Requirements

• A high school diploma and relevant human services or social services experience.
• A bachelors degree may be substituted for the required experience.
• Must be at least 18 years of age.
• Self-identify as a person diagnosed with mental illness (MI) / substance use (SU).
• Demonstrate two (2) years of sustained recovery without relapse.
• Completed 100 hours of supervised, paid, or volunteer work providing peer support services to individuals diagnosed with MI, SU, or co-occurring disorder.
• Valid Drivers License to operate a state vehicle.

Additional Comments

• This position may deliver services in center locations and in the community.
• The certification for this position requires demonstrated recovery of two (2) years. In order to verify this, applicants selected for interview will be required to provide a limited release authorization for the agency to contact their provider(s) to verify their dates of service and recovery process.

Post hire, employees must:

• If currently not certified, must obtain PSS Certification in the first available SC SHARE PSS training.

• Maintain PSS Certification.

• Be able to communicate orally and in writing.

• Have effective problem-solving skills and decision-making skills.

• Have knowledge of agency and community resources and ability to link individuals with resources.

• Be able to effectively teach how to take responsibility for receovery.

• Be able to effectively advocate for patient needs.

• Be able to effectively collaborate with treatment team.

• Be able to demonstrate sustained recovers.

• Participate in State Peer Support meeting, trainings, and center trainings.

• Deliver peer support to patients in individual, community, and group settings.

• Complete a minimum of 20 hours of continuing education training annually of which at least 12 hours are face to face training.

This position is considered essential and may be called back during crisses / disasters / emergencies.

The Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all applicants and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions including, but not limited, to lactation), national origin, age (40 or older), disability or genetic information.

Supplemental questions are considered part of your official application. Any misrepresentation will result in your disqualification from employment. Please complete the state application to include all current and previous work history and education. A resume will not be accepted nor reviewed to determine if an applicant has met the qualifications for the position.

The Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities offers an exceptional benefits package for full time (FTE) employees:

• Health, dental, vision, long-term disability, and life insurance for employees, spouse, and children. Click here for additional information.

• 15 days annual (vacation) leave per year

• 15 days sick leave per year

• 13 paid holidays

• Paid Parental Leave

• S.C. Deferred Compensation Program available (S.C. Deferred Compensation)

• Retirement benefit choices *

• State Retirement Plan (SCRS)

• State Optional Retirement Program (State ORP)

• Enrollment in one of the listed plans is required for all FTE employees; please refer to the contribution section of hyperlinked retirement sites for the current contribution rate of gross pay.

Benefits for State Employees

The state of South Carolina offers eligible employees generous benefits, including health and dental insurance; retirement and savings plan options; and paid vacation and sick leave. Plus, work-life balance programs such as telecommuting and flexible work schedules are available to employees of some state agencies.

Insurance Benefits

Eligible employees may enroll in health insurance, which includes prescription coverage and wellness benefits. Other available insurance benefits include dental, vision, term life insurance, long term disability and flexible spending accounts for health and child care expenses.

Retirement Benefits

State employees are also offered retirement plan options, including defined benefit and defined contribution plans. Additionally, eligible employees may elect to participate in the South Carolina Deferred Compensation Program, which is a voluntary, supplemental retirement savings plan offering 401(k) and 457 plan options.

Workplace Benefits

State employees may also be eligible for other benefits, including tuition assistance; holiday, annual and sick leave; and discounts on purchases, travel and more.

Note: The benefits above are available to most state employees, with the exception of those in temporary positions. Employees in temporary grant and time-limited positions may be eligible for all, some or none of these benefits as benefits are associated with each position type. For these positions, contact the hiring agency to determine what benefits may be available.

01

Have you ever been employed by the SC Dept. of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities - Office of Mental Health (OMH) (formerly SC Department of Mental Health)?

• Yes
• No

02

If you have ever been convicted of a misdemeanor or felony criminal offense (other than in a Juvenile Court), you MUST list this information (unless you have taken steps to expunge your record.) This includes fraudulent checks, driving under suspension, disorderly conduct, shoplifting, etc. *Please note that conviction of a criminal offense does not bar you from employment in all cases; each conviction is evaluated individually. However, failure to list convictions is considered falsification of the application and WILL BE grounds for termination, if hired. It is your responsibility to know what is on your criminal record. If you have charges on your record that appear without a court disposition (result) you may be asked to provide that information if selected for employment. If you have questions, please inquire before you complete your application. PLEASE NOTE THAT NOT ANSWERING THIS QUESTION WILL DEEM YOUR APPLICATION AS INCOMPLETE AND IT WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED. Please indicate your understanding of this statement by checking the box below.

• Checking this box indicates my understanding of the above referenced statement.

03

Do you have at least a high school diploma and relevant human services or social services experience?

• Yes
• No

04

Are you at least 18 years of age?

• Yes
• No

05

Do you self-identify as a person diagnosed with mental illness or substance use?

• Yes
• No

06

Do you have at least two (2) years of demonstrated, sustained recover without relapse?

• Yes
• No

07

Have you completed 100 hours of supervised, paid, or volunteer work providing peer support services to individuals diagnosed with Mental Illness, Substance Use, or co-occurring disorder?

• Yes
• No

08

Will you be able to operate a state vehicle?

• Yes
• No

09

The certification for this position required demonstrated recovery of two (2) years. In order to verify this, if you are selected for an interview, you will be required to provide a limited release authorization for the agency to contact provider(s) to verify your dates of service and recovery progress. Please indicate your understanding and agreement of this requirement by checking the box below.

• I understand and agree to the above listed requirements

10

Do you have the SC Share Peer Support Specialist Certification?

• Yes
• No

11

If you answered NO to the previous question, will you be able to complete the training and certify at the first available training opportunity?

• Yes
• No

12

Please indicate your salary requirements (please be specific and not put "negotiable" or "open").

Required Question

Employer State of South Carolina

Agency Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities Address 400 Otarre Parkway

Cayce, South Carolina, 29033

Phone OIDD - (803)898-9600

OMH - (803) 898-8600

The language used in this document does not create an employment contract between the employee and the agency. This document does not create any contractual rights or entitlements. The agency reserves the right to revise the content of this document, in whole or in part. No promises or assurances, whether written or oral, which are contrary to or inconsistent with the terms of this paragraph create any contract of employment.