Forensic ACT Peer Specialist

Upstate Cerebral Palsy•City of Utica, NY

22h•$19 - $21

About The Position

The Forensic ACT Peer Specialist (PS) is a core member of the Forensic Assertive Community Treatment (FACT) team, a multidisciplinary treatment team serving individuals with serious mental illness (SMI), co-occurring substance use disorders, and current or prior involvement in the justice system. The Peer Specialist draws upon their lived experience of recovery to provide non-clinical support, mentorship, advocacy, and engagement to promote hope, choice, and empowerment in the recovery process. This position supports participants in all phases of service, including outreach, engagement, treatment planning, crisis recovery, and reentry from incarceration or hospitalization. The PS fosters trusting relationships, facilitates connections to natural supports, and helps individuals navigate behavioral health and legal systems. The PS must identify as actively in recovery from a SUD or MH condition and/or self-disclose one’s recovery or justice involvement journey. The PS must currently have a certification or attain provisional certification within 90-days of employment, as a Peer Specialist or Advocate recognized by the Office of Mental Health (OMH) and/or Office of Addiction Supports and Services (OASAS).

Requirements

High School Diploma or equivalent required.
Must identify as a person with lived experience in recovery from a mental health condition, substance use disorder, justice involvement or combination.
Certified Peer Specialist (OMH) or Certified Recovery Peer Advocate (CRPA – OASAS) required or must obtain provisional certification within 90 days and achieve full certification within 18 months of hire.
One year of demonstrated recovery and three letters of reference required for certification applications.
Must have a valid NYS Driver’s License and reliable transportation.

Nice To Haves

Previous experience in justice-involved, community-based, or ACT/FACT programs preferred.

Responsibilities

Serve as a recovery role model by sharing lived experiences in a respectful, purposeful, and trauma-informed manner.
Engage participants in one-on-one and group peer support activities that promote recovery, reduce isolation, and enhance community integration.
Support individuals in navigating reentry, probation/parole, and court compliance, while promoting recovery-focused strategies for reducing justice involvement.
Collaborate with team members to inform the development and implementation of individualized service plans (ISPs) that reflect the participant’s voice and choice.
Co-create crisis prevention and safety plans with participants, incorporating strengths, support networks, and wellness strategies.
Participate in daily team meetings and contribute lived experience perspectives to inform risk management, crisis response, and recovery strategies.
Educate individuals about their rights, recovery options, and self-advocacy practices.
Facilitate peer-led groups focused on empowerment, recovery, harm reduction, conflict resolution, and self-care.
Advocate with external systems (e.g., housing, social services, probation/parole) to support the individual’s recovery goals and reduce barriers.
Document services provided in accordance with OMH, Medicaid, and agency policies using the Electronic Health Record (EHR).
Maintain active certification or pursue certification as a Peer Specialist or Peer Advocate through NYS OMH and/or OASAS pathways.
Participate in supervision, ongoing peer specialist training, and professional development opportunities.
Comply with all applicable ethical guidelines, agency policies, and confidentiality regulations, including HIPAA and 42 CFR Part 2.
Adhere to all defined role responsibility and ethics as outlined by respective Certification Board for Peer Specialist or Advocate.
Comply with the policies, procedures and regulations of the Agency and external regulatory bodies.
Provide Crisis/On call Services as scheduled.
Other duties as assigned.