Senior Peer Specialist - Community Links

BALTIC STREET AEA INC. • New York, NY

7h

About The Position

We are seeking an experienced and passionate Senior Peer Specialist to provide advanced peer support and leadership within our Peer-Based Supported Education Program. The Senior Peer Specialist will work closely with participants to support their educational goals while also mentoring and supporting peer staff. This position serves as a vital bridge between participants, peer team members, and program leadership, promoting recovery-oriented, person-centered, and trauma-informed practices.

Requirements

• Lived experience of mental health recovery and/or substance use recovery, with a demonstrated ability to use lived experience to support others.
• BA or BS in related area of study is required.
• Minimum of 2 years of experience providing peer support in mental health, substance use, supported education, supported employment, or related services preferred.
• Certification as a peer specialist (or willingness to obtain certification within the first 8 months of employment).
• Strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to build supportive relationships with participants, peer staff, and community partners.
• Knowledge of recovery principles, trauma-informed care, and person-centered practices.
• Ability to work independently, take initiative, and manage multiple responsibilities effectively.

Nice To Haves

• Experience mentoring or supervising other peer support workers.
• Experience providing peer support in educational or employment settings.
• Familiarity with local education, employment, mental health, and social service systems.

Responsibilities

• Provide one-on-one and group peer support to program participants pursuing educational goals.
• Assist participants with developing and following individualized education plans.
• Support participants in navigating educational institutions, employment settings, and related community resources.
• Advocate with and on behalf of participants for reasonable accommodation, access to services, and self-empowerment.
• Serve as a mentor and role model for peer specialists, offering guidance on best practices in peer support, documentation, boundaries, and ethical standards.
• Auditing progress notes of all education counselors on a daily basis for accuracy, timeliness, and grammar.
• Provide informal coaching and assist with onboarding and training of new peer staff.
• Support a positive and collaborative team culture that values lived experience and peer principles.
• Assist the program director with implementing program workflows, activities, and special initiatives.
• Provide formal supervision and spot coaching to all education counselors.
• Assist program director in case reviews, team meetings, and quality improvement efforts.
• Help ensure services are delivered in alignment with program values: recovery, inclusion, equity, and cultural responsiveness.
• Assist program director to represent the peer team in meetings with external partners, such as educational institutions, employers, and community service providers.
• Assist the program director in building collaborative relationships with community stakeholders to strengthen participant support.
• Assist the program director in organizing events in the community to create and or maintain referrals in the direct community.
• Maintain accurate, timely records of peer support activities in accordance with program and funding requirements. This will include monthly, quarterly and annual reporting to Funder.
• Contribute to data collection and evaluation efforts to measure program outcomes and participant satisfaction.
• Ensure that monthly supervision and annual evaluations are completed on frontline staff.

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Mid Level