Peer Specialist

Center for Alternative•New York, NY

7d•$53,045•Hybrid

About The Position

Are you someone with lived experience in mental health and/or criminal legal systems who is passionate about helping others navigate these systems? If so, we need your help on our Nathaniel Community Success (NCS) team at CASES! NCS is a new alternatives-to-detention/incarceration (ATD/ATI) program that serves individuals of all genders, aged 16 and older, with mental illness (including substance use problems); this program will directly help reduce the utilization of jails and prisons. We are seeking a Peer Specialist for our Brooklyn NCS team, who will join a multidisciplinary team comprised of a Team Leader, Forensic Clinical Case Coordinator, Forensic Case Coordinator, Substance Use Specialist, Clinical Criminal Legal Specialist, and Program Assistant. The Peer Specialist will use their unique perspective to provide peer support to participants within the framework of the core principles of recovery and self-determination. They will facilitate participants’ utilization of community treatment services and will provide support for participants in pursuing housing, benefits, employment, and vocational services. The Peer Specialist works individually with participants and may also facilitate groups using standard curriculum.

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
Must have Peer Certification
Must be a mental health consumer with a history of involvement in the criminal legal system. As an individual in recovery from mental illness and substance use, the Peer must be willing to utilize their recovery experience to engage and support ATI participants
Strong knowledge of wellness, recovery, and self-help
Effective communication and written skills are essential
Proficiency with computers and databases

Nice To Haves

Fluency in Spanish

Responsibilities

Engage ATI participants through outreach and diligent search efforts to promote participation, reduce recidivism, and support sustained community involvement.
Conduct immediate needs assessments and connect participants to mental health, substance use, housing, education, employment, medical care, income supports (including Medicaid), civil legal services, and self-help resources.
Deliver individualized case management and peer support services that address strengths and criminogenic risk factors using gender-responsive and culturally competent approaches.
Use lived experience and intentional self-disclosure strategically to foster engagement, recovery, empowerment, and self-determination.
Apply motivational interviewing and other engagement techniques to support recovery goals and reduce risk factors for criminal recidivism.
Provide advocacy to help participants navigate complex systems, access services, and understand and protect their rights and responsibilities.
Assess and respond effectively to crises using sound judgment and recovery-oriented principles.
Collaborate with the multidisciplinary team on service planning, case coordination, and structured case reviews.
Operate within the legal framework of ATI, support compliance with community supervision requirements, and maintain timely, accurate electronic documentation, database entries, participant admissions, and required letters and progress reports for defense attorneys, judges, and prosecutors.
Perform other related duties as assigned by the Team Leader or Senior Director.