Peer Support Specialist- Residential Services

Jewish Association for Services for the Aged•New York, NY

1d•Onsite

About The Position

Under the supervision of the Program Director, the Peer Specialist plays a critical role in engaging residents and serving as a liaison between building residents and program staff, supporting person-led care coordination while integrating RISE-informed elder justice practices into building-based services. The Peer Specialist brings resident perspective and lived experience to inform program design and implementation, ensuring the approach is responsive to community needs. Their real-time insights will shape ongoing adaptations, helping to identify what works and where refinements are needed. The position also supports resident education and engagement aligned with the RISE model. This role collaborates with building residents, the RISE Program Director, Residential Service Coordinators, the Interdisciplinary Team, and JASA Housing staff.

Requirements

High School Diploma or equivalent.
Good record-keeping skills.
Ability to read, write, speak, and understand English.
Must be computer literate, including the ability to learn and fill out electronic forms.
Ability to travel to clients' homes and to negotiate any steps and barriers in clients' residences.
Understanding and appreciation of the roles of race, religion, ethnicity, sexual preference, and individual values as they relate to serving clients and families.

Nice To Haves

The ability to speak and understand Spanish is preferred.

Responsibilities

Serving as an advocate for and bridge to residents of Casa Celina located at 1001 Thieriot Avenue Bronx, NY 10472.
Engaging residents, building trust, supporting conflict resolution, and model empowerment-based practices.
Contributing lived experience perspectives during training sessions and helping ground staff in the day-to-day realities of resident experience.
Surveying the residents about programming, workshops, educational opportunities
Informing the Program Director of the programming, workshops and educational content that should be included and helping develop these areas.
Attending workshops, social programming and educational opportunities to elicit resident feedback.
Fostering a stronger culture of transparency, safety, and collaboration throughout the building.
Connecting residents to the Program Director or RSCs as appropriate using a person led, supportive decision making framework.
Providing regular updates in supervision to the Program Director on common themes and patterns of the residents, as well as residents who have warning signs of self neglect or potential for elder abuse.
Contacting the Program Director for any crisis or emergency situation related to the wellbeing of a resident.
Participating in training, IDT meetings, and staff meetings.
Attending training as assigned.
Completing required documentation.
Performing other duties as assigned.