Peer Specialist

Center for Alternative•New York, NY

3d•$50,000 - $50,000•Hybrid

About The Position

Manhattan newSTART (Short Term Alternatives and Referral to Treatment) is an alternative-to-incarceration program for people at high risk of criminal recidivism who are diverted from Manhattan Criminal Court. The Peer Specialist engages participants and provides individual rehabilitation support, peer support, and group services using a standard curriculum. Services address brief substance use interventions, cognitive behavioral groups, employment and vocational training needs, and connections to community resources. The position operates within the core principles of recovery, self-determination, and public safety. This is a full-time position, Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM–5:00 PM, for 35 hours per week excluding breaks. Staff typically report to the office and/or perform field or community-based work before completing the workday from home or another suitable location. At least two days in the office are required. The office is at 2090 Adam Clayton Powell Jr Boulevard, New York, NY 10027, and is accessible by public transportation. Salary is $50,000.

Requirements

High school degree with related work experience.
Participant or graduate of a recognized peer specialist training program, such as the Howie the Harp Peer Advocacy and Training Center Forensic Peer Specialist Program, Academy for Peer Services, or Recovery Coach Academy (NYCPS, NYCPS-P, CRPA, or CRPA-P).
Must be a mental health consumer or a person in recovery from substance use disorder with a history of involvement in the criminal justice system.
Must be willing to use personal recovery experience to engage and support participants in the alternatives-to-incarceration program.
Strong knowledge of wellness, recovery, and self-help.
Effective communication and writing skills.
Proficiency with computers and databases.

Nice To Haves

Bilingual in English and Spanish; strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

Engage participants enrolled in alternative-to-incarceration services.
Assess participant needs and identify appropriate mental health, substance use, health, education, employment, and self-help services.
Link participants to income support and health insurance, including Medicaid.
Write progress notes in the electronic record and complete participant admissions in CASES’ database.
Deliver gender-specific, culturally competent services, intensive case management, and peer support that address risk factors for criminal recidivism.
Use self-disclosure intentionally to support participant engagement and recovery.
Provide crisis intervention and respond appropriately during crises.
Prepare letters and progress reports for defense attorneys, judges, and prosecutors.
Understand and work within the legal framework of alternative-to-incarceration services and community-supervision compliance requirements.
Advocate for participants as they navigate housing, income support, treatment, medical care, civil legal services, self-help, and other community services and supports.
Empower participants to understand their rights and responsibilities and use procedures to protect their rights.
Use motivational interviewing, recovery principles, and Wellness Recovery Action Planning (WRAP) to support recovery goals and management of mental illness and substance use problems.
Report workplace hazards or unsafe conditions to the appropriate facilities staff member or supervisor.