Position Summary

The Peer Specialist will provide person-centered, recovery-oriented, strength-based, and trauma-informed Peer support to ACI clients. The Peer Specialist will work as part of an interdisciplinary team alongside licensed Clinicians to provide the most comprehensive support to program participants in a pretrial setting.

Responsibilities

• As part of an interdisciplinary team of Peer Specialists, Medical Providers, and Licensed Clinicians, the peer specialist will be responsible for managing a caseload of (mental illness, substance use, homelessness) participants, providing face-to-face, telephonic, and community Peer counseling.
• Utilize evidence-based support techniques to engage individuals in completing all supervision appointments, court appearances, provide linkage to community-based treatment and other support services as needed.
• Develop and maintain relationships with participants to provide self-help tools, recovery, transitional, and pre-crisis/crisis supports while utilizing self-disclosure in an appropriate manner to assist with building rapport.
• Meet with participants in office and community settings to provide emotional support, guidance, advocacy, assistance in navigating systems of care, and attending court dates when a participant is anxious or apprehensive about court proceedings.
• Facilitate Peer-led support groups for participants with substance use and/or behavioral health concerns, who may be resistant to, or awaiting formal treatment.
• 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.

Qualifications

• 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

The successful candidate will possess a combination of the following knowledge, skills, and experiences:

• Working knowledge of community-based treatment programs (substance use, mental health, etc.) and other support services and resources (housing, education, employment, vocational, etc.)
• Ability to maintain professional boundaries and confidentiality in compliance with agency and state guidelines
• Must be willing to work evening and weekend hours, as operations expand
• Willingness to travel via public transportation to conduct community visits with participants

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $40,000.00 - $45,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Monday to Friday
• Weekends as needed

Work Location: In person