Forensic Peer Support Specialist

NAMI Northern Nevada is a non-profit corporation composed of families, friends and professionals in Washoe County, Nevada, dedicated to helping people with mental illness (peer) and their families. The organization provides: free education courses and programs; free support groups; assistance to all who ask; free literature on services available in our area.

Position Description:

The Lead Forensic Peer Support Specialist is responsible for the NAMI Northern NV Forensic Peer Support Program, designed for persons with SMI who have become involved with the criminal justice system Leveraging personal experience as an individual in recovery from mental illness and previous involvement in the criminal justice system, they build trust with assigned peers, supporting them in maintaining long-term recovery while navigating the criminal justice system The Forensic Peer Recovery Support Specialist will provide emotional, social, and practical assistance to those impacted, helping them build positive relationships, engage in treatment, and successfully reintegrate into the community.

Disclaimer: Working with individuals who have been engaged with the criminal justice system for an extended period presents unique challenges, as long-term institutionalization can shape coping strategies and behaviors that may take time to unlearn. Additionally, some individuals may utilize their social skills to navigate or manipulate systems in ways that can complicate the recovery process. A key part of the role is to offer support, build trust, and remain consistent in maintaining recovery goals while respectfully navigating these dynamics.

General Responsibilities:

• Establish and maintain excellent referral conduits with courts, law enforcement agencies, places of incarceration, and other sources who can attest to required program criteria: (a) SMI diagnosis; and (b) criminal justice involvement.
• Seek out referrals of potential individuals with an SMI diagnosis and criminal justice involvement from such sources and others. Interview and screen potential individuals for program suitability and eligibility and maintain case notes and files
• Provide services and support to individuals enrolled in program as needed and appropriate. To include, but not limited to, accompanying individuals to scheduled appointments (therapy, primary care, housing assistance and social services).
• Determine recovery plan and engage with outside agencies as required for each individual peer.
• Engage with empathy, a non-judgmental attitude, and understanding of the challenges faced by individuals in recovery and those involved in the criminal justice system.
• Attend the NAMI NNV PRSS Ethics Training course. (NAMI has an online Volunteer Ethics Training program that could be adapted to meet your program needs.)

• Develop and maintain a Master Community Resources Spreadsheet of resources available for Forensic Peer Participants. Include resource contact information. Minimally include these resources: Treatment Programs; Housing Assistance Programs; Social Services; Other Community Resource Programs. (See attached sample. Change it to suit your needs.)
• Develop and maintain a Master Referral Conduit Spreadsheet of excellent referral conduits who can attest to required Peer criteria: (a) SMI diagnosis; and (b) criminal justice involvement. The Spreadsheet must include name(s) of specific Contact Individuals; their position; their contact information; and office hours in these categories: criminal justice courts; law enforcement agencies; jails; prisons; and other sources. (See attached sample. Change it to suit your needs.)
• Develop and maintain an Individual Referral Conduit Spreadsheet for each conduit listed on the Master Referral Conduit Spreadsheet. For each individual conduit establish a written schedule for checking in. Keep accurate notes on each contact made with each referral conduit listed on the master spreadsheet. (See attached sample. Change it to suit your needs.) Transfer Potential Peers to the Master Potential Peer Participant Spreadsheet.
• Develop and maintain a Master Potential Peer Participant Spreadsheet for listing Potential Peer Participants including: their SMI diagnosis; category of criminal justice involvement; contact information; and NAMI NNV Forensic PRSS program acceptance status. (See attached sample. Change it to suit your needs.)
• Contact the individuals referred as Potential Peer Participant Referrals, who meet the basic program criteria by having a SMI diagnosis and criminal justice involvement. Record their interest level on the Master Potential Peer Participant Spreadsheet.
• Research the processes of Mental Health Court. Develop a handout to describe the Processes of Mental Health Court. Include the benefits of Mental Health Court. Create a process flow chart showing the steps; each step’s alternate directions; and consequences of non-completion, which can be dictated by Mental Health Court. (You will use this when discussing a recovery plan with your Peer Participants as needed.)
• Interview Potential Peers for program eligibility and program suitability. Develop a script, which you will use and can be used by future F-PRSS. Get the script approved by your supervisor.
• Develop and maintain Peer Participant Case File Notes, which include a summary of: EVERY interaction you have the individual; EVERY service you provide; EVERY support you provide. (See attached sample. Change it to suit your needs.)
• Create and monitor for each Peer Participant accepted into the NAMI NNV Forensic PRSS program, a RECOVERY PLAN, which includes a minimum of 2-10 steps and in at least these categories: therapy; banking; primary care; housing assistance; social services; and court mandated timeline(s). Add or delete categories as needed. You can keep Case file notes on this spreadsheet, or create a case file that provides more room for you to write.
• Provide Services by engaging with outside agencies on behalf of, and upon agreement with, a Peer Participant in the NAMI NNV Forensic PRSS program, as needed and appropriate. Record EVERY service provided on the Peer Participant Case File Notes Spreadsheet.
• Provide Support to Peer Participant(s) enrolled in the NAMI NNV Forensic PRSS program as needed and appropriate. To include, but not limited to: accompanying individuals to scheduled appointments such as therapy; primary care; housing assistance and social services meetings.
• If additional space is required for recording progress on the Recovery Plan, develop and maintain an Individual Peer Participant Progress File for each Peer Participant accepted into the NAMI NNV Forensic PRSS program. Draw from your case notes on the Recovery Plan Spreadsheet.

Specific Skills

• Excellent written and oral skills
• Knowledge of motivational Interviewing skills
• Problem-solving and conflict resolution skills.
• Competent in Microsoft Office applications to include Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, Google Workspace
• Operate standard office equipment and answer phone calls as needed
• Supervise and oversee interns and work professionally with other staff
• At all times, display sensitivity and respect for individual diversity and varied personal experiences, while acknowledging the impact of oppression and structural inequalities.

Required Education, Experience and Professional Skills:

• PRSS Certification valid in the State of Nevada (Required)
• Maintain certification as Peer Recovery Support Specialist (PRSS) in good standing with the State of Nevada.
• 3 – 5 years sustained recovery form SMI and SUD (if appropriate)
• Criminal Justice system experience and participation
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and adhere to professional ethical standards.
• Valid NV Driver’s License
• Ability to pass a background check (Having a past discrepancy does not automatically make applicant ineligible for this position. It will be reviewed on a case by case basis along with all other qualifications)

Desired Additional Education/Skills

• Associate Degree in relevant discipline (Criminal Justice, Social Work, etc)
• Bilingual (Spanish)

Compensation:

• This is a grant-funded position and subject to continued funding
• $20.00/hour
• Part-time (20 hours per week)
• March 15, 2025 through August 31, 2025 with option to remain on the team given approved funding sources.

Physical Requirements

• Normal office environment
• Walking (with ability to use stairs)
• May be required to visit clients in their own environments
• In-state travel may be required.
• Use of privately-owned vehicle (mileage reimbursement may be paid upon approval of required documentation and budget availability)

Job Types: Contract, Full-time

Pay: $23.00 per hour

Benefits:

• Flexible schedule
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Professional development assistance
• Tuition reimbursement

People with a criminal record are encouraged to apply

Work Location: In person

Salary : $20 - $23