Peer Support Specialist

Peer Support Specialist Salary

See Position Description

Location: York, SC

Job Type: Full Time

Job Number: 2026-00989

Department: Sheriffs Office

Division: DETENTION SCORF GRANT

Opening Date: February 26, 2026

Closing Date: March 11, 2026 5:00 PM Eastern

FLSA Non-Exempt

Description:

Benefits

Questions About us

The Detention Center is located at the Moss Justice Center and is a two-building facility. The Detention Center Main Building is a 621-bed direct supervision facility that opened in March of 1995. The Detention Center Annex is a 256-bed direct supervision facility that was formerly known as the York County Prison. The York County Sheriff's Office obtained custody of the York County Prison in July of 2021 and merged all operations under the York County Detention Center.

The Detention Center is charged with holding individuals who have been arrested by various law enforcement agencies in York County and held until they post bond, are ordered released by a court, or are transferred to a state institution after court sentencing. In addition, the Detention Center is charged with holding individuals who are sentenced to less than 90 days and/or all sentences through Family Court. The Detention Center also houses inmates for the U.S. Marshal Service and Immigration and Customs Enforcement under an agreement that provides compensation to the county.

Mission Statement for The Detention Division

The York County Detention Center is committed to operating a facility that is secure, accountable, fair, and effective.

To accomplish our mission, the York County Detention Center will maintain a positive atmosphere for both incarcerated individuals and staff through the provision of:

• A safe and secure environment for inmates and staff
• A facility that is cost-effective
• A professionally trained staff
• Positive and safe physical surroundings
• A variety of well-balanced programs that are conducive to appropriate inmate behavior
• A system to provide for the nutritional and physical well-being of the inmate population
• It is the intention of the York County Detention Center that inmates shall leave the facility no worse physically, emotionally, or psychologically than when they entered.

The York County Detention Center is committed to the operation of a facility that will meet state standards and to the preservation of basic human rights for the inmate population under the Constitution of the United States of America.

About our opportunity

York County Detention Center is hiring a full-time (40 hours weekly), non-exempt Peer Support Specialist. The Peer Support Specialist will use his or her lived experience in recovery from a substance use disorder and successful reintegration into society to support inmates at the York County Detention Center as part of the Recovery and Re-Entry Program.

This position is funded by the South Carolina Opioid Recovery Fund (SCORF) and is focused on fostering trust, promoting recovery, and encouraging participation in substance abuse treatment and reentry services.

The Peer Support Specialist serves as a mentor, advocate, and resource navigator, helping individuals build motivation for change and prepare for successful reentry into the community.

This is a grant-funded position and continuation of this position is contingent upon the availability of grant funds; the loss of, reduction of, or exhaustion of funding for this position would result in the elimination of the position.

Projected Salary Range/Pay Grade

• $20.40 - $24.48 per hour
• Salary is determined based on qualifications.

Our Total Compensation Package

• Compensation - competitive market-rate pay, and negotiable based on qualifications
• Comprehensive State Medical Insurance, Dental and Vision Insurance
• Life Insurance
• Long-term disability
• Deferred Compensation 401K Plans
• Health Savings Account (HSA)
• Parental Leave
• Bereavement Leave
• Public Loan Forgiveness Program (Student Loan Forgiveness Program)
• 11 Paid Holidays + 3 Optional Holidays
• Longevity Pay
• SC State Retirement Plan Pension
• Paid Vacation and Sick Time
• Sick Bank
• Critical Care and Cancer Insurance
• Wellness Screenings
• Employee Assistance Programs
• Professional Development / Trainings / Conferences
• Uniforms allowance

Duties and Responsibilities:

• In a professional capacity only, establishes supportive, non-judgmental relationships with inmates experiencing substance use challenges.
• Provides peer-led support groups, recovery circles, and one-on-one sessions to encourage engagement in recovery pathways.
• Encourages participation in in-facility substance abuse programming, including clinical treatment, educational sessions, and recovery workshops.
• Assists inmates in identifying personal goals related to recovery, sobriety, housing, employment, and relationships.
• Offers guidance on navigating early recovery challenges, including coping with stress, triggers, and relapse prevention.
• Assists inmates in creating personalized reentry plans focused on continuing recovery post-release.
• Connects inmates with community-based services, such as outpatient treatment, peer recovery groups, sober housing, and vocational resources.
• Coordinates warm hand-offs to outside peer support programs and Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) providers.
• Participates in multidisciplinary team meetings and shares insights on peer engagement and recovery progress.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

About you

• Education and Experience: High school diploma. Bachelor's Degree in Social Work, Psychology, Counseling, or related field preferred.
• Lived experience with substance use disorder and demonstrated recovery for at least two (2) years.
• Certification as a Peer Support Specialist or Recovery Coach (or eligible to obtain within six months of hire).
• Experience working/volunteering within correctional facility preferred.
• Certifications and Licenses: Valid state driver's license preferred. May require additional professional or technical certifications as deemed necessary by management.

Physical Demands / Work Environment / Disclaimer

• Physical demands refer to the requirements for physical exertion and coordination of limb and body movement.
• Performs sedentary work that involves walking or standing some of the time and involves exerting up to 10 pounds of force on a regular and recurring basis or sustained keyboard operations.
• Unavoidable Hazards (Work Environment): Unavoidable hazards refer to the job conditions that may lead to injury or health hazards even though precautions have been taken.
• Involves routine and frequent exposure to:
• Bright/dim light
• Dusts and pollen
• Extreme heat and/or cold
• Wet or humid conditions
• Extreme noise levels
• Animals/wildlife
• Vibration
• Fumes and/or noxious odors
• Traffic
• Moving machinery
• Electrical shock
• Heights
• Radiation
• Disease/pathogens

Americans with Disabilities Act Compliance

York County is an Equal Opportunity Employer. ADA requires the County to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified persons with disabilities. Prospective and current employees are encouraged to discuss ADA accommodations with management.

Standard Clauses

• May be required to work nights, weekends, holidays and emergencies (man-made or natural) to meet the business needs of the County.
• This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of essential functions and responsibilities that are required of an employee for this job.
• Other duties, responsibilities, and activities may change or be assigned at any time with or without notice.
• Full-time employees are allowed to participate in group medical, dental, vision, life and disability insurance programs offered by York County Government.
• If employees elect to secure dependent coverage, the employee should pay the additional costs for such coverage.
• All statements of insurance coverage are subject to the terms, conditions, restrictions and other eligibility requirements that are set forth in various insurance plan documents.
• Our full-time benefits through PEBA (South Carolina Retirement Systems and State Health Plan) include health insurance, prescription benefits, dental, vision, life insurance, MoneyPlus, Health Savings Accounts, retirement (Membership in the South Carolina Retirement System is mandatory for county employees), and deferred compensation.
• Making decisions about your insurance and retirement benefits can sometimes be complicated and difficult.
• The Navigating Your Benefits series provides common-language explanations and can help you find your way in the world of your insurance and retirement benefits: Navigating Your Benefits | S.C. PEBA (sc.gov)
• Other full-time benefits include longevity allowance, annual leave, sick leave, holiday pay, Sick Leave Bank, wellness benefits, Employee Assistance Program, etc.
• Please contact Human Resources at Human.Resources@yorkcountygov.com if you would like more information.

Longevity Allowance

• Full-time regular county employees, elected officials, appointed officials, and judges with ten or more years of full time continuous governmental service are eligible to receive a monthly longevity allowance in addition to their regular compensation.
• Continuous service transferred from employment with another county, municipality, state or a political entity created by the State may contribute toward eligibility for the longevity allowance.
• Longevity allowances are paid according to the following schedule:
• 10-14 Years: $20.0015-19 Years: $25.0020-24 Years: $30.0025-29 Years: $35.0030-34 Years: $40.0035-39 Years: $45.0040+ Years: $50.00

Parental Leave

• Employees that have been employed at least 12 months with the county may be eligible for up to 30 days of parental leave immediately following the birth, adoption or placement of a legal dependent child.

Bereavement Leave

• Three (3) days of bereavement leave for the