Sr. Peer Specialist

Job Description

Job Description

Job Title:   Senior Peer Specialist

 

Job Summary:

Are you someone with lived experience in mental health and/or criminal legal systems who is passionate about helping others navigate these systems? If so, we need your help on our new Nathaniel Community Success (NCS) team at CASES! NCS is a new alternatives-to- detention/incarceration (ATD/ATI) program that serves individuals of all genders, aged 16 and older, with mental illness (including substance use problems); this program will directly help reduce the utilization of jails and prisons.

We are seeking a Senior Peer Specialist for our Manhattan NCS team, who will join a multidisciplinary team comprised of a Team Leader, Forensic Clinical Case Coordinator, Forensic Case Coordinator, Substance Use Specialist, Clinical Criminal Legal Specialist, and Program Assistant. The NCS team provides clinical case management and linkage to services for mental health and medical treatment. The Senior Peer Specialist will use their unique perspective to provide peer support to participants within the framework of the core principles of recovery and self-determination. They will facilitate participants’ utilization of community treatment services and will provide support for participants in pursuing housing, benefits, employment, and vocational services. The Senior Peer Specialist works individually with participants and may also facilitate groups using standard curriculum.

 

Shift Hours:   This position is full-time Monday - Friday from 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Salary:   The salary for the Senior Peer Specialist role is $54,636.00

Location Address: 2090 Adam Clayton Blvd Jr, 4th floor, New York, NY 10027. Our office is easily accessible by public transportation.

Workplace Flexibility:   Flexible (for roles that have days that can be partially remote, e.g., being able to draft notes at home after going to the office/community in the morning).

What You Will Be Doing:

• Engagement of participants enrolled in ATI services.
• Conduct outreach activities to engage client participation and reduce recidivism.
• Conduct an immediate needs assessment and identify appropriate services (mental health substance use, education, employment self-help).
• Collaborate with team members for case management program planning.
• Provide linkage to income support and health insurance (Medicaid).
• Delivery of gender-specific services.
• Plan and deliver case management and peer support services that address strength and risk factors for criminal recidivism. 
• Advocacy skills – supporting participants to navigate and access housing, income support, treatment, medical care, civil legal services, self-help, and other community services and support.
• Knowledge of how to empower participants to know their rights and responsibilities and to utilize procedures to ensure their rights are protected.
• Perform other related duties as assigned by the Team Leader, Director, or Senior Director.

What We Are Looking For:

• Participant or graduate of a recognized peer specialist training program, such as the Howie the Harp Peer Advocacy and Training Center Forensic Peer Specialist Program
• High school degree with related work experience
• Must have Full Peer Certification (CPS/CRPA)
• Must be a mental health consumer with a history of involvement in the criminal legal system. As an individual in recovery from mental illness and substance use, the Peer must be willing to utilize their recovery experience to engage and support ATI participants
• Strong knowledge of wellness, recovery, and self-help
• Effective communication and written skills are essential
• Proficiency with computers and databases 

Preferred Skills:

• Fluency in Spanish a plus

Employee Benefits:

CASES cares about employee wellbeing, and we offer a comprehensive benefits package to support you and your family, including:

• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• Vacation and Paid Time Off – starting at 25 days-off annually
• 12 Paid Holidays per year
• Retirement 403b Competitive matching up to 6%
• Employee Referral Program
• Visit to learn more about benefits offered by CASES

Although we would love to learn about the skills of every candidate, only selected candidates that are selected will receive a response. We encourage you to apply for any position(s) you feel you are qualified for.

CASES is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment with CASES is based solely on qualifications and competence for a particular position without regard to race, color, ethnic or national origin, age, religion, creed, gender, sexual orientation, disability, or marital, military, or citizenship status. We also actively recruit individuals with prior involvement in the criminal legal system.

Monday - Friday, 9am to 5pm
35 hours per week excluding breaks