Pathways Vermont (FACT) - Forensic Peer Specialist

Pathways Vermont•Burlington, VT

2d•$0 - $25•Onsite

About The Position

Pathways Vermont is hiring a Forensic Peer Specialist for its Forensic Assertive Community Treatment (FACT) team, an evidence-based forensic adaptation of Assertive Community Treatment. Based in Chittenden County, Vermont, the interdisciplinary team supports 40–60 people under Department of Corrections supervision in collaboration with Burlington Probation and Parole. FACT combines criminogenic risk management with mental health and substance use support, and aims to reduce returns to incarceration and crisis-service use while improving treatment engagement, community stability, and social determinants such as employment, housing, and social connection. The Forensic Peer Specialist draws on lived experience of incarceration, criminal justice involvement, and/or supervision to support people transitioning from incarceration into the community. The role provides flexible, compassionate, community-based support to promote stability, recovery, and community reintegration. The position is in person in Chittenden County and is full time, 35–40 hours per week, Monday through Friday. The employee also participates in a 24/7 on-call phone rotation. Annual staff and programmatic retreats are held during normal work hours and are paid. Pathways Vermont provides community-based mental health services and collaborative learning that centers people as experts in their own lives. The organization emphasizes lived experience and seeks a diverse workplace reflecting the communities it serves.

Requirements

Lived experience of having been incarcerated, under supervision, and/or involved in the criminal justice system.
Patience, creativity, flexibility, compassion, and sensitivity to people with disabilities and other minority populations.
Excellent communication, writing, and computer skills.
Excellent interpersonal skills, knowledge of supportive counseling skills, and ability to form relationships with a diverse group of people.
Ability to structure time, independently develop work priorities, and meet documentation expectations.
Strong independent problem-solving skills and demonstrated ability to approach challenging situations intuitively.
Knowledge of community resources for people exiting incarceration and for people with mental health or substance use needs.
Valid driver’s license, reliable personal vehicle available for work purposes, and current automobile insurance.
Ability to regularly drive to visit individuals; visual acuity to operate a motor vehicle.
Ability to meet with people in indoor or outdoor community settings.
Ability to extend and/or grasp with hands and arms as needed to collect paperwork, assist with applications, and complete handwritten forms.
Ability to ascend and descend stairs occasionally when meeting locations do not have an elevator.
Ability to regularly operate a laptop and other office machinery, including frequent typing and extensive reading.
Ability to communicate orally and frequently share ideas and give or receive detailed information.
Full-time schedule of 35–40 hours per week, Monday through Friday, with participation in a 24/7 on-call rotation.

Nice To Haves

Lived experience of mental health challenges, substance use, homelessness, and/or other life challenges.
Prior experience working in a mental health and/or harm reduction agency, preferably in community services.
Understanding of issues facing people with mental health challenges or substance use issues, particularly in meeting basic needs such as food, clothing, shelter, and advocacy.
Knowledge of the criminal justice system and how it affects individuals with mental health challenges.

Responsibilities

Use lived experience with incarceration, supervision, and/or criminal justice involvement to support clients’ transition and re-entry into the community, including providing critical aid early in re-entry.
Build rapport and provide services from a choice-based, client-centered, harm-reduction, and strengths-based perspective.
Assist clients with maintaining stable housing, employment, disability benefits, and transportation; connect them with community behavioral health services and recovery supports; and help them learn new skills.
Help clients adhere to supervision conditions and meet criminal justice system requirements.
Support clients in relinquishing attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors learned as survival mechanisms in criminal justice settings.
Meet with clients in jail if they are returned to incarceration and/or before initial re-entry.
Provide prosocial interaction opportunities and community connections after incarceration.
Provide technical training and support to people adjusting to technology advances that occurred while they were incarcerated.
Share employment and housing resources informed by personal experience overcoming similar challenges related to criminal histories.
Collaborate with clients to develop and maintain a comprehensive, Medicaid-compliant service plan, reviewing and modifying it regularly with the client.
Maintain written and computerized records; compile reports and complete program documentation, including case notes, face sheets, statistics, letters, and petty cash receipts.
Participate in a 24/7 on-call phone support rotation with other team members.
Attend annual All Staff and Programmatic Retreats unless excused by the employee’s manager or HR.
Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

Medical insurance
Dental insurance
Vision insurance
Long-term disability insurance
Life insurance
Paid time off, accruing at 210 hours per year to start
Nine paid holidays annually
403(b) retirement savings plan
Employee Assistance Program
Longevity Recognition Rewards
Access to Pathways-facilitated trainings, including Intentional Peer Support
Annual All Staff and Programmatic Retreats are paid and held during normal working hours