Peer Recovery Specialist/Navigator

The CDC Foundation helps the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) save and improve lives by unleashing the power of collaboration between CDC, philanthropies, corporations, organizations and individuals to protect the health, safety and security of America and the world. The CDC Foundation is the go-to nonprofit authorized by Congress to mobilize philanthropic partners and private-sector resources to support CDC’s critical health protection mission. Since 1995, the CDC Foundation has raised over $1.9 billion and launched more than 1,300 programs impacting a variety of health threats from chronic disease conditions including cardiovascular disease and cancer, to infectious diseases like rotavirus and HIV, to emergency responses, including COVID-19 and Ebola. The CDC Foundation managed hundreds of programs in the United States and in more than 90 countries last year. Visit www.cdcfoundation.org for more information.  

Position Title: Peer Recovery Specialist/Navigator

Location: This position is hybrid supporting Mississippi [southern region]

Position End Date: 09/29/2025

Salary: $45,000 plus benefits

Overview: The CDC Foundation is working with CDC and state and local authorities to provide surge staff to support surveillance, prevention and response activities within the Overdose Data to Action (OD2A) program. The CDC Foundation seeks candidates for Peer Recovery Specialists/Navigators. Under general supervision, meets with individuals to provide connection, referral, and recovery support. The Peer Recovery Specialist/Navigator will utilize their lived experience with substance use disorder or co-occurring disorders to assist individuals in entry to and/or maintenance of engagement in recovery support services. The Peer Recovery Specialist/Navigator will support clients and promote connections to community-based supports and services.

Minimum Qualifications:

· Minimum of two (2) years of current and continuous recovery from a substance use disorder.

· High school diploma or GED equivalent; peer and recovery community certification(s) preferred.

· Knowledge of the recovery process, multiple pathways to recovery, and problem-solving strategies.

· Highly motivated with the ability to work well in teams and independently.

· Strong written and oral communication skills.

Responsibilities:

· Meeting with individuals with a substance use disorder in various settings in coordination with the needs of ongoing programming and outreach.

· Utilizing motivational interviewing, mentoring, and other techniques to assess change readiness.

· Facilitate and coordinate warm hand offs and connections to care and services identified as necessary by the client.

· Assist in client goal development through individual and group sessions.

· Build and develop networks with external stakeholders and service providers to increase access to community-based resources.

· Coordinate with community partners on access to evidence-based recovery supports and programs.

· Attend training courses aimed at continuing education.

· Maintain peer and recovery community certification(s) or take steps to become certified as a peer, as outlined by the requirements of the state, immediately following the onboarding process.

· Complete documentation and data collection on associated work.

· Participate in evaluation and quality assurance activities.

· If position requires local travel to serve participants, employees must pass pre-hire and annual motor records check and carry minimum auto liability coverage.

Special Notes:

This role is involved in a dynamic public health program. As such, roles and responsibilities are subject to change as situations evolve. Roles and responsibilities listed above may be expanded upon or updated to match priorities and needs, once written approval is received by the CDC Foundation in order to best support the public health programming.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, mental or physical disabilities, veteran status, and all other characteristics protected by law.

We comply with all applicable laws including E.O. 11246 and the Vietnam Era Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974 governing employment practices and do not discriminate on the basis of any unlawful criteria in accordance with 41 C.F.R. §§ 60-300.5(a)(12) and 60-741.5(a)(7). As a federal government contractor, we take affirmative action on behalf of protected veterans.

The CDC Foundation is a smoke-free environment.

Relocation expenses are not included.