Jail Population Peer Supporter

Position Summary

 Hope Dealer Community walks alongside individuals impacted by addiction, homelessness, and life's challenges through peer-driven recovery support, transportation, drop-in centers, jail-based programming, and community-based case management across Central Ohio. HDC is more than an organization - it is a family of people committed to restoring hope, empowering change, and reminding each person it encounters that they are worthy of a good, full life. 

The Peer Support Specialist is a Hope Dealer - someone who carries light into the darkest places and reminds people that their story is not over. Peer Supporters work in the trenches with people who are still on the street due to addiction, or who are navigating homelessness, human trafficking, and mental health disorders. Peer Supporters have been there before and are now in a place in their own life and recovery to carry the message of sobriety, recovery, and new life to everyone they encounter. Relationships, belonging, mutuality, and spiritual transformation are the core values that guide this work. Key Responsibilities

Peer Supporter

  • Build relationships with individuals currently or previously incarcerated, offering non-judgmental and empathetic support. 

  • Practice active listening and motivational interviewing that opens the conversation to detox, treatment, or sober living opportunities. 

  • Share personal experience of recovery and overcoming challenges to provide hope and motivation. 

  • Provide education and harm reduction strategies to individuals still in active addiction. 

  • Walk alongside participants through crisis moments with empathy and appropriate boundaries. 

  • Participate in outreach events across the Hope Resource Center, Franklin County Jail, and other community sites. 

  • Attend staff meetings, trainings, and ongoing professional development opportunities. 

  • Maintain confidential case notes and track participant progress in accordance with HDC policy. 

  • Ensure adherence to ethics, boundaries, and confidentiality in all interactions. 

Qualifications & Experience

  • Ability to enter the Franklin County Jails as a volunteer (off probation, out of jail or prison for at least 3 years).

  • Lived experience with addiction, mental illness or other significant barriers, with at least two years of sustained recovery (required).

  • Must be active in a personal program of recovery (12 steps or other) including having a sponsor or spiritual mentor, reflecting the principles of recovery in our everyday life.

  • Certified Peer Recovery Supporter (CPRS).

  • Strong interpersonal skills, ability to build trust and establish supportive relationships.

  • Ability to work independently and as part of a team in a fast-paced, sometimes unpredictable environment.

  • Cultural competency and ability to work with diverse populations, including those with complex trauma histories.

  • Proficiency in computer use, email, and documentation systems.

  • Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation required.

  • Successful completion of pre-employment drug screening and background check (backgrounds will not necessarily inhibit employment). 

Work Environment & Expectations

This position works primarily in the Franklin County Jails, and other outreach locations throughout Franklin County. The JP Peer Supporter must be able to stand, walk, and move through varied indoor and outdoor environments; occasionally lift and carry items up to 25 pounds; and travel locally between sites. HDC serves individuals experiencing substance use disorder, homelessness, and related challenges. The Peer Support Specialist will regularly interact with participants in active crisis and must be able to respond calmly, maintain personal safety awareness, and de-escalate as needed. This role requires rotating evening, weekend, and on-call availability to meet participant needs. 

Requirements for Employment

  • Pre-Employment Drug Screening and Adherence to Drug & Alcohol Policy

  • Background Check (backgrounds will not necessarily inhibit employment)

  • Two-years sustained recovery

  • Ability to identify and exhibit a personal program of recovery

  • Certified Peer Recovery Support

Employment Type: Full Time, 30+ hours per week
Compensation: starting at $20 per hour, with opportunity for growth after 90 day probationary period
Pre-Tax Benefits Available: Dental / Vision / Disability Options; Support with ACA Marketplace enrollment; Employee-Contributing retirement plans
Paid-Time Off: 1 week after 6-month continuous employment; 1 additional day after every full year of continuous employment (up to 3 weeks total)

Why Join The Hope Dealer Community?

  • Make a tangible difference in the lives of individuals seeking hope and healing.

  • Be part of a supportive, mission-driven team dedicated to transformational work.

  • Opportunities for growth, training, and professional development in peer support and recovery services.

    To apply: Click here to fill out the application and upload your resume.