About usThe 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 opportunityYork 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 111: $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 youEducation 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.
Applicants with equivalent experience and/or education may be considered. Physical Demands / Work Environment / DisclaimerPhysical Demands: 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 AllowanceFull-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.
Longevity AllowanceYears of Continuous Service Monthly Longevity Amount10-14 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 death of an immediate family member, which includes a spouse, parent, grandparent or child.
Annual LeaveProbationary and regular full-time county employees that work at least twenty (20) hours per week accrue annual leave with pay. Employees in their new hire six (6) month probationary period shall not be able to use annual leave until they become regular county employees. Employees who are separating from county service shall be paid for all accrued, unused annual leave up to 360 hours provided they give York County as the employer the proper notice as required. Employees in their six (6) month New Hire probationary period who are terminated or separated from employment shall not be paid for accrued annual leave. The maximum amount of annual leave carried into each calendar year is 360 hours.
Earning Rate for Full-Time EmployeesFull-time employees with less than ten years of continuous service earn at the rate of eight hours of paid annual leave for each month of service during a twelve month period. Full-time employees with at least ten years, but less than twenty years of continuous service will earn at the rate of ten (10) hours of paid annual leave for each month of service during a twelve-month period. Full-time employees with twenty or more years of service will earn at the rate of twelve (12) hours of paid annual leave for each month of service during a twelve (12) months period.
Sick LeaveFull-time county employees may be entitled to earn sick leave with pay. Employees may accrue up to 1,440 hours of sick leave. Upon termination of employment with the County, employees may not be reimbursed for any unused sick leave. When a paid holiday occurs while an employee is on sick leave with pay, the day may not be charged as sick leave.
Earning Rate of Sick LeaveFull time employees will earn eight hours of sick leave per month of service during a twelve month period.
Paid Holiday’s The following days may be observed as paid holidays for York County Employees: January - December: 3 Optional Holidays per Calendar YearJanuary: New Year’s Day and Martin Luther King Day
May: Memorial Day
June: Juneteenth Day
July: Independence Day
September: Labor Day
November: Veteran’s Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Friday after Thanksgiving
December: Christmas Eve, Christmas Day
Training: Quality training and educational programs are available at various times for county employees in order to support workforce development that is consistent with organizational objectives. Training topics may include driver training, CPR/first aid, communication, supervisor training, workplace violence, substance abuse, and various computer related classes.
Closing Date/Time: 11/24/2025 5:00 PM Eastern
