Court Based Peer Navigator

NYC Criminal Justice Agency•New York, NY

3d•Onsite

About The Position

The New York City Criminal Justice Agency (CJA) is seeking a certified Peer Specialist for the Queens Supervised Release Program (QSRP) to assist program participants in court. This role involves implementing a person-centered, recovery-oriented, and trauma-informed approach to help arrested individuals navigate the criminal justice system. CJA is a not-for-profit service and research organization that partners with the New York City Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice, serving as the city's main pretrial services agency. CJA operates 24/7 across the five boroughs, employing over 300 staff. The Queens Supervised Release Program (QSRP) operates seven days a week in Queens Criminal Court, serving individuals of all ages charged with felonies and misdemeanors who are at risk of detention but may fail to appear in court if released. Participants engage through check-ins, identify strengths, goals, and needs (e.g., health services, substance use support), and are connected to community services. This role is ideal for someone with knowledge and commitment to working with individuals facing complex needs, including mental health challenges, legal involvement, social/emotional/developmental challenges, and systemic barriers.

Requirements

NYS Peer credential required (OMH Certified Peer Specialist and/or OASAS Certified Recovery Peer Advocate). Credentials must be maintained while employed.
Minimum of 2 years of hands-on experience navigating courts and/or supporting individuals with criminal legal involvement.
Lived experience of the criminal legal system (including arrest, detention, or supervision), mental health challenges, housing instability and/or substance use and recovery, with the ability to draw on that experience intentionally in peer support relationships.
Experience providing peer support/navigation in behavioral health and/or criminal legal settings (court-based experience preferred).
Effective and strong communication skills.
Comfort operating in courthouse environments and with court partners, and with multi-stakeholder teams.
Strong boundaries, confidentiality discipline, trauma and crisis-informed judgment.
Able to work collaboratively and in a fast-paced environment.
Excellent time and work management skills.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office/Teams and comfort entering notes in a database system.

Nice To Haves

Familiarity with Pretrial/Supervised Release, Alternative to Detention (ATD), Alternative to Incarceration (ATI) or other court advocacy program models.
Working knowledge of community-based treatment programs (substance use, mental health, etc.) and other support services and resources (housing, education, employment, vocational, etc.).
Ability to maintain professional boundaries and confidentiality in compliance with agency and state guidelines.
Adaptability: must be willing to work evening and weekend hours, as operations expand.
Willingness to travel via public transportation to support participants if the need arises.

Responsibilities

Meet and support QSRP participants at key court touchpoints immediately after arraignment and throughout their continued appearances, drawing on lived experience to build rapport and offer practical and emotional support.
Use a strengths-based, person-centered approach to assess participant needs related to housing instability, mental health or substance use support, benefits, ID, transportation, safety, or barriers to court appearance.
Help participants understand court requirements and collaborate to build realistic, barrier-reducing plans that support consistent court appearance.
Work closely with QSRP court and case management staff to coordinate on participant needs, share observations, and ensure smooth handoffs, including connecting participants to clinical support when needed.
Connect participants to vetted community-based services using warm handoffs that reflect understanding and mutuality.
Check in with individuals and providers to strengthen engagement in the program and ensure continuity of relationships and support across transitions.
Maintain accurate records of participant interactions, referrals, and outcomes, preparing reports as needed.
Attempt engagement during arraignment with active QSRP participants who were rearrested, complete rapid triage, initiate warm handoffs, and establish a confirmed follow-up plan.
Complete warm handoffs to community-based resources and court-based navigation partners.
Support rapid housing and treatment placement pathways by coordinating eligibility steps, document checklists, and intake scheduling.
Provide participants with clear written next steps.
Proactively check in with participants to help them feel supported as they navigate new connections, discuss obstacles, and stay engaged with their goals.
Document all engagements, identified needs, referrals made, warm handoffs, follow-up plans, and outcomes in approved systems.
Participate in team huddles and case conferencing to improve workflows and partner pathways.

Benefits

Health insurance
Dental insurance
Vision insurance
Comprehensive mental health and wellness (EAP) plan
Four weeks’ vacation
Paid holidays
Retirement plan with employer matching contributions
Professional learning and development opportunities through partnerships and vendor services for web-based, in-person professional development training, as well as in-house job training and development.
Reflective supervision
Peer consultation
Wellness resources