Peer Specialist ICM

NYC Criminal Justice Agency • Queens, KY

1d • $55,619 • Onsite

About The Position

Under the supervision of a Peer Supervisor, The Peer Specialist will provide person-centered, recovery-oriented, strength-based, and trauma-informed Peer support for clients who met the eligibility criteria of high-risk and high needs and require a support team to meet with them where they are at regardless of their location in NYC. The Peer Specialist is dedicated to promoting wellness and supporting recovery journeys within the community. As an essential part of and integrated and multi-disciplinary Clinical Services Department at Queens Supervised Release, the Peer Specialist aims to empower clients in enhancing their mental health, fostering resilience, and facilitating their path to recovery and wellness. By offering compassionate care and tailored support, this role endeavors to create new opportunities for success and well-being for those in the highest of needs.

Requirements

• HS Diploma or equivalency required
• NYS Peer Specialist certification OR Recovery Peer Advocate certification required
• 2 years of professional experience as a Peer Specialist, Peer Advocate, or Peer Counselor in a Behavioral Health or Criminal Justice setting required
• Experience providing community-based Peer support required
• History of lived experience in recovery and/or the criminal justice system required. As an individual who actively participates in their own recovery from mental illness and/or substance use, must be willing to appropriately and effectively utilize their recovery experience to engage and support others
• Proficiency in using computer software applications such as Microsoft Office suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook), email, web browser and database/file management systems required
• Ability to maintain professional boundaries and confidentiality in compliance with agency and state guidelines
• Must be willing to work evening and weekend hours.
• Willingness to travel via public transportation to conduct community visits with participants
• This is a visible role with direct client-facing responsibilities engaging with clients, staff, and other stakeholders. The successful candidate will possess the required qualifications and skills, and the ability to work in-person 5 days a week.
• To provide optimal coverage for client engagement, regularly scheduled workweeks will include weekends and night shifts.
• Flex hours will be occasionally required to perform client visits either in their homes, or at community-based locations.
• Travel within the 5 boroughs required for client engagement or meetings with community partners, as needed.

Nice To Haves

• Fluency in Spanish is preferred
• Familiarity with Pretrial/Supervised Release, Alternative to Detention (ATD), Alternative to Incarceration (ATI) or other 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.)

Responsibilities

• As part of an interdisciplinary team of Peer Specialists, Behavioral Health Specialists, Licensed Clinicians, Clinical Care Coordinators and Housing Specialist , the Peer Specialist will be responsible for managing a caseload of 10-15 high-needs (serious mental illness, substance use, homelessness) participants at a time, providing face-to-face community-based Peer counseling.
• Provide court-based Peer support to participants upon their release from arraignment to Supervised Release. Identify immediate needs or concerns and facilitate immediate connections to community-based services.
• Engage with participants within community settings to offer emotional support, guidance, advocacy, assistance in navigating care systems, accompany them to court dates, and build trust and rapport.
• Coordinate with assigned case management staff and other service providers to review participants' release conditions. Utilize evidence-based support techniques to encourage individuals to attend all supervision appointments and court appearances. Provide referrals to community-based treatment and support services as required.
• Advocate for clients' needs and rights within the mental health system and broader community, ensuring they receive appropriate services and resources.
• Maintain accurate, efficient, and timely documentation of participant interactions and progress notes in an electronic case management system, with a focus on accurately collecting data for programmatic research purposes.
• Assist clients in identifying their goals for recovery and wellness and providing support to help them achieve these goals.
• Collaborate with other members of the Case Management care team to ensure coordinated and holistic care.
• Engage in ongoing self-advocacy and self-care practices to maintain personal wellness and resilience, which in turn supports the ability to effectively support others in the community.
• Communicate with staff comprised of diverse identities, experiences, and professional disciplines in a respectful manner that acknowledges differences, expertise, and experiences to promote collaboration and better client outcomes.
• Communicate with clients of diverse populations, needs and experiences in the justice system and other institutions in a respectful manner that acknowledges lived experiences and creates connection.
• Answer questions about our services in an informed and well-resourced way and directs clients and community members to resources by making appropriate referrals.
• Ensure that clients are being supported in a timely manner, through careful inquiry and the use of evidence-based tools.
• Ability to work intensively with clients using goal-based interventions to create behavioral changes.
• Support the client’s self-efficacy by reinforcing their power to make the changes that they want.
• Guide clients through the treatment plan and behavior change process; recognize/acknowledge the positive changes that are made and continue encouraging behavioral changes along the way.
• Clearly and concisely communicate with other members of the mobile team to understand and support the needs and goals of the client and collaborate on appropriate next steps.

Benefits

• CJA offers a very generous benefit plan including health, dental and vision insurance, a comprehensive mental health, and wellness (EAP) plan, four weeks’ vacation, paid holidays, and a retirement plan with employer matching contributions.
• CJA is also strongly committed to professional learning and development for its staff members and offers staff varied opportunities for learning and development through partnerships and vendor services for web based, in-person professional development training, as well as in-house job training and development.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED
• Number of Employees: 11-50 employees