SHIELD Peer Support Counselor (Eastern Region)

Agency

Adult Correction

Division

Human Resources

Job Classification Title

Human Services Program Consultant I (S)

Position Number

65035824

Grade

NC14

About Us

The NC Department of Adult Correction is one of the largest state agencies with more than 14,000 employees. It is responsible for safeguarding and preserving lives and property through prevention, protection, and preparation as well as the care, custody, and supervision of all adults sentenced for violating North Carolina laws. This department includes state prisons with custody, healthcare, and facility operations staff as well as probation/parole officers who supervised sentenced people in the community. Other divisions include Administration, Health Services, Rehabilitation & Reentry, Special Operations and the Post-Release Supervision & Parole Commission. We have a mission that matters!

Description of Work

**Please note: This position will be servicing the eastern portion of the state.

The S.H.I.E.L.D. Peer Support Counselor provides confidential, nonclinical emotional support to employees of the North Carolina Department of Adult Correction. Using occupational experience, empathy, and trained peer support practices, the counselor assists staff who are experiencing work‑related stress, critical incidents, personal challenges, grief, or other circumstances that may impact their overall wellness or ability to function effectively at work or at home.

The Peer Support Counselor builds trust through an understanding of the unique culture, responsibilities, and stressors associated with corrections and criminal justice environments. Core responsibilities include offering individual peer support, responding to critical incidents, providing follow‑up assistance, connecting employees to resources, conducting outreach and education, and supporting agency wellness initiatives. All services are delivered with careful attention to confidentiality and professional boundaries.

This position works collaboratively with S.H.I.E.L.D. Peer Support Unit staff, Clinical Services staff, agency partners, and leadership to promote employee well‑being. When an employee’s needs go beyond the scope of peer support, the counselor helps facilitate access to appropriate clinical, crisis, agency, or community resources.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities/Management Preferences

Salary Range: $52,592 - $92,036

The Knowledge Skills and Abilities/ Management Preferences are not required. Candidates now meet the minimum qualifications of a position if they meet the minimum education and experience listed on the vacancy announcement.

Applicants who possess the following skills are preferred:

• Knowledge of peer support principles and practices, including the role of confidential, nonclinical support within the workplace.
• Firsthand experience of culture, stressors, critical incidents, and challenges associated with corrections, community supervision, and all related public safety environments.
• Ability to establish trust and rapport with employees from diverse professional backgrounds while maintaining confidentiality and appropriate professional boundaries.
• Ability to travel throughout North Carolina and respond to critical incidents, outreach needs, training, and other program responsibilities as required.

This posting will close at 11:59 p.m. the night before the end date.

About SHIELD

S.H.I.E.L.D. provides confidential, non emergent support services to North Carolina Department of Adult Correction employees. These services include a combination of coordinated behavioral health and peer support initiatives focused on wellness to support professional and personal efficacy. S.H.I.E.L.D. exists to improve the overall health, wellness, and performance of the correctional workforce.

Compensation & Benefits:
The State of North Carolina offers excellent comprehensive benefits. Employees can participate in health insurance options, standard and supplemental retirement plans, and the NCFlex program (numerous high-quality, low-cost benefits on a pre-tax basis). Employees also receive paid vacation, sick, and community service leave. In addition, paid parental leave is available to eligible employees.

Visit website for State Benefits.

Supplemental and Contact Information

The North Carolina Department of Adult Correction (DAC) is an Equal Opportunity Employer that embraces an Employment First philosophy, which consists of complying with all federal laws, state laws, and Executive Orders. We are committed to reviewing requests for reasonable accommodation at any time during the hiring process or while on the job. For more information about DAC: .

DAC uses the Merit-Based Recruitment and Selection Plan to fill positions subject to the State Human Resources Act with the most qualified individuals. Hiring salary will be based on relevant qualifications, internal equity, and budgetary considerations pertinent to the advertised position.

In accordance with the Governor’s Executive Order 303, our agency supports second-chance employment for individuals who were previously incarcerated or justice-involved. We invite all potential applicants to apply for positions for which they may be qualified.

Application Process
Be sure to complete the application in its entirety. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of completing this application.

• Information should be provided in the appropriate areas, to include the following: Education, including high school and all degrees obtained, Work Experience, and Certificates & Licenses. It is critical to our screening and salary determination process that applications contain comprehensive candidate information.
• Answers to Supplemental Questions are not a substitute for providing all relevant information within the body of your application. To receive credit for the supplemental questions, you must provide supporting information within the "Work Experience" section of the application to support your answers.
• If multiple applications are submitted to an individual posting, only the most recent application received prior to the closing date will be accepted. Applications must be submitted by 5:00 PM on the closing date.
• Applicants may be subject to a criminal background check. All candidates selected for positions considered "Positions of Trust" will be subject to a criminal background check.
• Due to the volume of applications received, we are unable to provide information regarding the status of your application over the phone. To check the status of your application, please log in to your account. Upon the closing date, applications are "Under Review" and will be screened by Human Resources for qualified applicants. The hiring process may take several weeks.
• Degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions. Transcripts and degree evaluations may be uploaded with your application. The State of North Carolina/Office of State Human Resources uses the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) as a referral resource for applicants who need to have their credentials certified as equivalent.
• For a list of organizations that perform this specialized service, please visit the NACES membership website at .

Veterans’ and National Guard Preference

• Applicants seeking Veteran's Preference must attach a DD-214 Member-4 Form (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) to their applications.
• Applicants seeking National Guard Preference must attach an NGB 23A (RPAS), along with the state application, if they are a current member of the NC National Guard in good standing.
• Applicants who are former members of either the NC Army National Guard or the NC Air National Guard, with honorable discharge and six years of creditable service, must attach a copy of the DD 256 or NGB 22, along with the state application.

ADA Accommodations

Consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA), DAC is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, DAC will ensure that people with disabilities, or known limitations covered by the PWFA, are provided with reasonable accommodation. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact the person indicated below.

Minimum Education and Experience

Some state job postings say you can qualify by an “equivalent combination of education and experience.” If that language appears below, then you may qualify through EITHER years of education OR years of directly related experience, OR a combination of both. See the Education and Experience Equivalency Guide for details.

Master's degree in a discipline related to the program area from an appropriately accredited institution and two years of related experience;

or

Bachelor's degree in a discipline related to the program area from an appropriately accredited institution and four years of related experience;

or

An equivalent combination of education and experience.

EEO Statement

The State of North Carolina is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and dedicated to providing employees with a work environment free from all forms of unlawful employment discrimination, harassment, or retaliation. The state provides reasonable accommodation to employees and applicants with disabilities; known limitations related to pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions; and for religious beliefs, observances, and practices.

Recruiter:

Gabriel Michael Earley

Email:

[email protected]