What are the responsibilities and job description for the Peer Generalist position at People USA?
Organization: PEOPLE- USA
Job Title: Peer Generalist
Hourly Rate: $24.75 per hour Status: Full-time (40 hours per week)
Location: Poughkeepsie, NY
Total Hours: 40 Hours Per Week, Monday - Friday 9 AM to 5 PM
(Standardized alternative schedule can be discussed within general typical work hours)
Position Summary:
People USA will provide Dutchess/Ulster County with a Peer Generalist, who will support the functions of the Peer Navigation program in providing services to those in need. The Peer Navigation program provides site based, community-based, flexible, and sustained interventions for individuals who have frequently experienced acute distress, repeated emergency room visits and/ or hospitalizations, and for whom traditional programs of care have been ineffective. Using a peer-led, person-first, trauma informed approach, the peer model focuses on addressing participants’ immediate needs, building trust, and strengthening family and social networks to support long-term recovery.
The Peer Generalist will practice relationship-centered, participant-driven services, will be a resource and advocate for participants, will coordinate integration of services with other programs, maintain compliance with program requirements, and support a healthy, collaborative team environment. This role requires strong skills in being self-directed to complete tasks, decision-making, and crisis de-escalation. The role also requires lived experience and uses personal lived experience to foster self-advocacy and systemic navigation. The Peer Generalist will be committed to peer values and flexible care coordination without traditional limits on time or setting.
Job Duties & Responsibilities:
Job Title: Peer Generalist
Hourly Rate: $24.75 per hour Status: Full-time (40 hours per week)
Location: Poughkeepsie, NY
Total Hours: 40 Hours Per Week, Monday - Friday 9 AM to 5 PM
(Standardized alternative schedule can be discussed within general typical work hours)
Position Summary:
People USA will provide Dutchess/Ulster County with a Peer Generalist, who will support the functions of the Peer Navigation program in providing services to those in need. The Peer Navigation program provides site based, community-based, flexible, and sustained interventions for individuals who have frequently experienced acute distress, repeated emergency room visits and/ or hospitalizations, and for whom traditional programs of care have been ineffective. Using a peer-led, person-first, trauma informed approach, the peer model focuses on addressing participants’ immediate needs, building trust, and strengthening family and social networks to support long-term recovery.
The Peer Generalist will practice relationship-centered, participant-driven services, will be a resource and advocate for participants, will coordinate integration of services with other programs, maintain compliance with program requirements, and support a healthy, collaborative team environment. This role requires strong skills in being self-directed to complete tasks, decision-making, and crisis de-escalation. The role also requires lived experience and uses personal lived experience to foster self-advocacy and systemic navigation. The Peer Generalist will be committed to peer values and flexible care coordination without traditional limits on time or setting.
Job Duties & Responsibilities:
- Systemic Advocacy: Accompanied participants to hearings, social services appointments, and housing reviews to defend their rights.
- Rights Education: Teaches participants about available government assistance, tenant rights, and mental health self-determination.
- Crisis Mediation: De-escalates acute situations using trauma-informed care and peer-support frameworks.
- Resource Connection: Identifies non-traditional community resources when mainstream systems reject the participant.
- Empowerment Coaching: Builds self-advocacy skills so participants can eventually navigate systems independently.
- Group and participant programming focused on participant-led engagement
- Ensure the approach remains Values driven, peer-led, person-first, trauma informed, and relationship-centered.
- Documentation, Reporting & Compliance
- Ensure completion of accurate, timely documentation, including progress notes, reports, and program data.
- Maintain compliance with agency policies and state/regulatory standards.
- Represent the agency and program at internal meetings, community events, and collaborative workgroups.
- Assist with the oversight, expansion, and continuous improvement of program operations.
- Perform additional duties as assigned.
- High School Diploma or equivalent 3 years of experience providing direct support to individuals with disabilities or psychiatric diagnoses or case management work.
- Must obtain New York State Peer Specialist Certification within 6 months of hire through People-USA system.
- Demonstrated knowledge of trauma-informed care, harm reduction, and strengths-based approaches.
- Strong understanding of recovery principles, peer support models, and employment services.
- Lived experience with mental health and/or substance use recovery is strongly encouraged.
- Exceptional communication and boundary management.
- Familiarity with ADA, mental health systems, Social Security benefits, and community services.
- Must have a clean and valid driver's license.
- Bilingual (English/Spanish)
- At least 2 years of advocacy experience.
- Lived experience with comfort in appropriate self-disclosure.
- Experience working within non-traditional service models or with individuals who have frequent crisis-service utilization.
- Experience facilitating support groups, networking groups, or family-engagement meetings.
- Familiarity with local behavioral health resources, social services, and community supports.
Salary : $25 - $25