Job description
Position Title: Peer Recovery Navigator [SME]
Position End Date: 09/29/26
Location: Georgia Department of Public Health [hybrid]
Salary: $26.44/hr
Overview:
The CDC Foundation is working with CDC and state and local partners to provide surge capacity that strengthens
surveillance, prevention, and response activities within the Overdose Data to Action (OD2A) program. The
Foundation seeks candidates for the Community-Based Overdose Prevention Peer Navigator – Subject Matter
Expert (SME) role. Under general supervision, the Community-Based Overdose Prevention Peer Navigator [SME]
will engage with individuals and community organizations to provide connection, support, education, and linkage
to resources. Drawing on lived experience with substance use disorder, recovery, community-based overdose
prevention strategies, or co-occurring conditions, the Peer Navigator [SME] will help individuals access services
that promote safety, wellness, and self-directed recovery. The Peer Navigator [SME] will support communities by
sharing community-based overdose prevention knowledge, promoting overdose-prevention strategies, and
strengthening linkages to community-based support, services, and resources. This role plays an important part in
advancing statewide efforts to reduce overdose risk and improve outcomes for people who use drugs.
Minimum Qualifications:
• A Bachelor’s degree in public health, social sciences, or a related field.
• Minimum of two (2) years of related work experience.
• Demonstrated knowledge in overdose prevention, substance use disorder treatment, community-based
overdose prevention, recovery, and/or drug policy.
• Experience providing in-person and remote technical assistance and support, including tailored guidance and
subject matter expertise.
• Ability to build rapport and communicate effectively with diverse communities, including people dealing with
substance use disorders and community-based overdose prevention partners.
• Strong organizational and interpersonal skills with the ability to work independently and manage priorities.
• Proficiency with digital communication and reporting tools.
• Ability to travel statewide as needed.
Responsibilities:
• Meet with individuals affected by substance use in a variety of community settings, adjusting outreach and
engagement methods based on program needs and the circumstances of the individuals served.
• Use motivational interviewing, mentoring, and peer-informed communication strategies to assess readiness for
change and support individuals in identifying their own goals and priorities.
• Facilitate and coordinate warm handoffs to appropriate services, including community-based overdose
prevention supports, treatment and recovery resources, and other community-based programs identified as
important by the individual.
• Assist individuals in developing personal goals through one-on-one engagement and, when appropriate, groupbased
support sessions.
• Build and strengthen relationships with external stakeholders and service providers to expand access to
community resources, community-based overdose prevention support, and recovery-oriented services.
• Collaborate with community partners to promote access to evidence-based support, including overdoseprevention
tools, and recovery services.
• Participate in ongoing training and continuing education opportunities to enhance knowledge and skills relevant
to community-based overdose prevention, and peer support.
• Maintain required peer or recovery community certifications or take timely steps to obtain certification as
outlined by state and organizational requirements immediately following onboarding.
• Complete accurate documentation and data collection for all relevant activities, including site visits,
engagement, referrals, and partner coordination.
• This position involves local travel and to engage participants, comply with all vehicle-related requirements, including passing pre-hire and annual motor-vehicle checks and maintaining required auto liability insurance.
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 both the CDC Foundation and Georgia Department of Health in order to best support the Georgia in their 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.
About the CDC Foundation
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 billion and launched more than 1,000 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 CDC-led programs in the United States and in more than 140 countries last year. Learn more at www.cdcfoundation.org
