Court Based Peer Navigator

Job Description

Job Description

COURT BASED PEER NAVIGATOR

QUEENS SUPERVISED RELEASE PROGRAM

Posted: 7/6/2026

CJA's work seeks to reduce jail overcrowding and unnecessary detention in New York City . 

Are you a certified Peer Specialist interested in assisting program participants in court?

Are you interested in helping us implement a more person-centered, recovery-oriented, trauma-informed approach?

Would you like to help change how arrested individuals view the criminal system?

Join our team of multi-disciplined professionals! 

ABOUT CJA

The New York City Criminal Justice Agency (CJA) is a not-for-profit service and research organization that operates in partnership with the New York City Mayor's Office of Criminal Justice.  CJA is the City's main pretrial services agency, combining operations, pilot projects, and research under one roof.  CJA utilizes procedural justice practices to provide pretrial services to over 100,000 persons arrested annually in New York City. Information collected about these arrestees and subsequent case processing is maintained in the agency's internal and externally shared database systems, which are used to conduct descriptive and evaluation research on arrestee characteristics, case processing, and court outcomes, and on issues and potential reforms to criminal justice policy in New York City. CJA's programs operate in the criminal courts and detention facilities 24 hours a day, seven days a week within the 5 boroughs of NYC, employing over 300 employees, citywide.

PROGRAM SUMMARY

CJA operates the Queens Supervised Release Program (QSRP) in Queens Criminal Court seven days a week, during both the day and night court. The program serves individuals of all ages who are released at criminal court arraignment, who are charged with felonies and misdemeanors, and who present a substantial likelihood of detention but are at risk of failing to appear in court if released on recognizance.

Participants engage with the program through on-going in person or phone check-ins and take part in a collaborative process to identify individual strengths, goals, and needs, such as health services, substance use support resources. The program emphasizes connection to services, consistent communication and support meeting court obligations while promoting stability and positive outcomes in the community. This is a great opportunity for someone who brings both knowledge and a strong commitment to working alongside people with complex needs, including people navigating mental health challenges, who are at risk of further legal involvement, and individuals experiencing social, emotional, or developmental challenges and systemic barriers, who are navigating the legal system.

POSITION SUMMARY

Reporting to the Director of Clinical and Peer Services, the Court Based Peer Navigator provides court-to-community navigation and peer support for Queens Supervised Release (QSRP) participants at Queens Criminal Court. This role engages participants throughout and beyond arraignment, completes brief needs screening, provides practical court navigation support, and can connect participants to community-based resources through immediate referrals and warm handoffs and short-term follow-up. The Peer Navigator works closely with QSRP clinical court staff and QSRP court representatives to support participant engagement, reduce service drop-off, and prevent disengagement that leads to non-compliance with court-ordered supervision and/or programming. This role centers dignity, respect, and collaboration, recognizing individuals as partners in their own recovery. The Peer Navigator role is intended to be supportive and participant-centered; engagement is always participant-initiated or with participant-consent.

This is a newly created and developing role. As one of the program's first Court Based Peer Navigators, you will help shape the role in collaboration with colleagues and leadership across clinical, case management, and court-based roles to help define and refine peer navigation practices over time. This role is expected to evolve in response to the needs of QSRP participants.

The Court Based Peer Navigator will receive regular reflective supervision from a supervisor with knowledge of peer support competencies, ethics and practice, as well as peer consultation opportunities.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

Court-Based Engagement and Navigation

• Immediate Engagement : Meet and support QSRP participants at key court touchpoints immediately after arraignment and throughout their continued appearances. Draw on your own lived experience to connect authentically with QSRP participants at key court moments to build genuine rapport and offer both practical and emotional support rooted in mutuality and trust.
• Needs Assessment : Use a strengths-based, person-centered approach to have real conversations about what participants are up against — whether that's housing instability, mental health or substance use support, benefits, ID, transportation, safety, or barriers to showing up to court (needs snapshot) and learn what resources the participant needs and wants.

• System Navigation : Use your knowledge of how systems work to help participants make sense of court requirements. Collaborate with them to build realistic, barrier-reducing plans that support consistent court appearance, grounded in their strengths and circumstances.

• Team Collaboration : Work closely with QSRP court and case management staff to stay coordinated on participant needs, share observations from a peer vantage point, and ensure smooth handoffs — including knowing when and how to connect someone to clinical support when concerns arise

• Resource Connection : Leverage community knowledge and relationships to connect participants to vetted services. Use warm handoffs that reflect understanding and mutuality

• Follow-Up & Encouragement : Ensure smooth transitions by checking in with individuals and providers to strengthen engagement in the program. Stay connected with participants and providers across transitions to ensure continuity of relationships and support. Use hope, accountability, and recovery orientation to encourage sustained engagement

• Record-Keeping & Reporting : Maintain accurate records of participant interactions, referrals, and outcomes, preparing reports as needed.

Re-Arrest Engagement During Arraignment

• Attempt engagement during arraignment with active QSRP participants who were rearrested

• Complete rapid triage, initiate warm handoffs, and establish a confirmed follow-up plan before the participant exits court whenever possible.

Warm Handoffs and Partner Linkages

• Complete warm handoffs to community-based resources and court-based navigation partners.

• Support rapid housing and treatment placement pathways by coordinating eligibility steps, document checklists, and intake scheduling (in consultation with clinical staff as needed).

• Provide participants with clear written next steps (what, where, when, what to bring, who to ask for).

Short-Term Continuity and Follow-Up (Court-to-Community)

• Proactive check ins with participants, helping them feel supported as they navigate new connections, talk through any obstacles that come up, and stay engaged with their goals

• Draw on lived experience to help participants feel prepared and less alone — offering encouragement and guidance--walking aside them through practical steps such as getting to appointments, sorting transportation, and gathering the documents they might need for other services

Documentation and Data

• Document all engagements, identified needs, referrals made, warm handoffs, follow-up plans, and outcomes in approved systems.

• Participate in team huddles and case conferencing as needed to improve workflows and partner pathways.

QUALIFICATIONS

• NYS Peer credential required (OMH Certified Peer Specialist and/or OASAS Certified Recovery Peer Advocate). Credentials must be maintained while employed.
• Minimum of 2 years of hands-on experience navigating courts and/or supporting individuals with criminal legal involvement

• Lived experience of the criminal legal system (including arrest, detention, or supervision), mental health challenges, housing instability and/or substance use and recovery, with the ability to draw on that experience intentionally in peer support relationships

• Experience providing peer support/navigation in behavioral health and/or criminal legal settings (court-based experience preferred).

• Effective and strong communication skills; comfort operating in courthouse environments and court partners, and with multi-stakeholder teams.

• Strong boundaries, confidentiality discipline, trauma and crisis-informed judgment.

• Able to work collaboratively and in a fast-paced environment

• Excellent time and work management skills

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office/Teams and comfort entering notes in a database system.

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

• Familiarity with Pretrial/Supervised Release, Alternative to Detention (ATD), Alternative to Incarceration (ATI) or other court advocacy program models 

• 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 

• Adaptability: must be willing to work evening and weekend hours, as operations expand 

• Willingness to travel via public transportation to support participants if the need arises

CJA VALUES

CJA is committed to supporting the well-being of peer staff. This role includes access to reflective supervision, peer consultation, and wellness resources appropriate to the demands of court-based peer work.

Each employee should embody the following core values in their work at CJA: 

• Commitment: We are committed to being active partners in criminal justice reform through initiatives and creative problem-solving that evaluate different methods and strategies for alternatives to detention. 

• Fairness: We are guided by fairness and the presumption of innocence for those who are detained and work with integrity and without bias to protect the privacy and interest of court-involved people and their families. 

• Innovation: We value curiosity as a driving force to lead the way in pretrial services. We use innovative techniques in research, pilot programs, and engaging justice-involved communities to execute our mission of reducing unnecessary pretrial detention. 

Note: This position is expected to operate in-person 5 days per week. The successful hire must be able to assume responsibilities on-site in a fast-paced setting.  

Salary: $70,000

Location: Kew Gardens/Queens Criminal Court 

Hours: The role is expected to work three day shifts (9am-5pm) shifts and two swing shifts that overlap day and evening court (2pm to 10 PM). Must be available to work during the day or night shift, including holidays, as the program operates 7 days per week, 365 days a year.

*Internal applicants must be at least 1 year in their current role and in good standing (no disciplinary action within the last 90 days) to be eligible for this role.

BENEFITS: CJA offers a very generous benefits plan including health, dental, and vision insurance, a comprehensive mental health, and wellness (EAP) plan, four weeks' vacation, paid holidays, and a retirement plan with employer matching contributions.  CJA is also strongly committed to professional learning and development for its staff members and offers staff varied opportunities for learning and development through partnerships and vendor services for web based, in-person professional development training, as well as in-house job training and development. 

The New York City Criminal Justice Agency is an Equal Opportunity Employer

CJA is committed to creating a diverse work environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, sex, gender identity, religion, sexual orientation, age, disability, parental status, veteran status, or any other protected status under applicable laws. We encourage individuals of all backgrounds to apply.