Peer Support Specialist- Residential Services

Peer Support Specialist at JASA

(Part-Time – 17.5 Hours/Week)

As a Peer Specialist, you will play a key role in engaging residents and serving as a bridge between residents and program staff at Casa Celina. Drawing on lived experience, you’ll support person-led care coordination and help integrate RISE-informed elder justice practices into building-based services, ensuring programming is responsive to resident needs.

🌟 Why You’ll Love Working at JASA

JASA is one of NYC’s largest and most trusted nonprofits serving older adults. Our dedicated professionals help improve the lives of thousands of seniors through impactful, mission-driven work.

• Meaningful Impact: Help foster a safe, supportive, and empowered community for older adult residents.

• Collaborative Environment: Work closely with program leadership, interdisciplinary teams, and housing staff.

• Resident-Centered Approach: Bring your lived experience to shape programming and improve service delivery.

📝 What You’ll Be Doing

Under the supervision of the Program Director, you will support resident engagement, provide real-time feedback on programming, and promote a culture of transparency and safety within the building.

Key Responsibilities:

• Advocacy & Liaison: Serve as a primary advocate and bridge for residents of Casa Celina; build trust, support conflict resolution, and model empowerment-based practices.

• Lived Experience Insight: Contribute lived experience perspectives during training sessions to help ground staff in the day-to-day realities of resident life.

• Program Development: Survey residents on workshops and educational opportunities; collaborate with the Program Director to develop and refine content.

• Engagement & Feedback: Attend social programming and workshops to elicit real-time resident feedback.

• Support Coordination: Connect residents to the Program Director or Residential Service Coordinators (RSCs) using a person-led, supportive decision-making framework.

• Risk & Crisis Management: Provide regular updates on resident trends and warning signs (e.g., self-neglect or elder abuse). Immediately report any crisis or emergency situations.

• Administration: Participate in IDT meetings, attend assigned trainings, and complete all required electronic documentation in a timely manner.

🎓 What You’ll Need

• Education: High School Diploma or equivalent.

• Communication: Ability to read, write, and speak English; Bilingual Spanish preferred.

• Technical Skills: Basic computer literacy with the ability to learn and complete electronic forms and record-keeping.

• Physical Requirements: Ability to travel to clients' homes and negotiate steps or barriers within residential buildings.

• Core Values: An understanding and appreciation of the roles of race, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, and individual values in serving a diverse community.

🎁 Benefits at a Glance

JASA offers a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your well-being and future:

• Health & Wellness: Medical, dental, and vision coverage, plus Employee Wellness Programs and an Employee Assistance Program (EAP).

• Retirement Savings: 403(b) plan with Roth option and an employer-funded pension.

• Generous Time Off: 4 weeks of vacation, holidays, floating holidays, and sick days.

• Growth: Professional development and career advancement opportunities.

EEO Statement: JASA is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other protected classification under federal, state, or local law.

SUBJECT TO REVIEW FOR PURPOSES OF ADAAA #HP