Senior Peer Specialist

Job Title Senior Peer Specialist Job Summary CASES is seeking a compassionate and experienced Senior Peer Specialist to join our Rapid Response team in providing community-based services to individuals living with Serious Emotional Disturbance (SED), Serious Mental Illness (SMI), and Co‑Occurring Disorders (CODs). The Senior Peer Specialist will play a critical role in promoting recovery, linkage to care, and crisis intervention for our clients. The Rapid Response Team (RRT) is a specialized team that provides immediate support and intervention to individuals with urgent behavioral health needs who are participating in the Mobile Services Response Program (MSRP). Our team's primary goal is to rapidly engage individuals in treatment and connect them with community-based stabilization and support services, ensuring a seamless transition to ongoing care. Shift Hours Full‑time Monday - Friday from 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM (35 hours per week excluding breaks) Salary $58,000 per year Location 200 Centre Street, New York, NY (onsite office) Workplace Flexibility Onsite – 100% in‑office/in‑person What You Will Be Doing Primarily serve a focus population of CLS‑involved individuals living with SED, SMI, and CODs, with an emphasis on residents of Central, East, and West Harlem; the South Bronx; and Washington Heights/Inwood. Work as part of a multidisciplinary team providing primarily in‑person services to individuals, families, and groups in their community settings to 1) promote linkage to and engagement in ongoing outpatient mental health treatment and integrated rehabilitative services and 2) provide crisis counseling and intervention for clients experiencing acute crisis. Partner with a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner in providing crisis stabilization, de‑escalation, containment, and team‑based care to reduce client distress and promote relief from and resolution of acute crisis. Leverage lived experience and Peer Specialist training to build relationships with clients and their support networks, supporting the person’s recovery through follow‑up engagement both in‑person and via telehealth. Provide linkage coordination services, maintain case records, and follow up with appropriate referrals with support from designated program clinicians. Assist clients in navigating public and nonprofit service systems, including behavioral and medical health, criminal justice, shelter, entitlements, transportation, and housing. Complete assessments to support clients in developing crisis relapse prevention plans. Complete progress notes in the electronic health record for all services provided. Work with external stakeholders to achieve positive client outcomes. Provide services in a strength‑based, recovery‑oriented, trauma‑informed, and culturally sensitive manner. What We Are Looking For Standard NYS certification as a Peer Specialist in good standing. Preferably a local community member, or someone who is familiar with the area’s culture. Has engaged in the meaning‑making process for themselves. Demonstrated interpersonal communication skills and the ability to empathize with, relate to, and effectively work with participants in mental health services. Active participation in mental health self‑help activities, peer support, peer advocacy programs, participant‑run organizations, or similar experiences. Willingness to disclose personal experiences of mental health services for empowerment. Willingness to work outside of the office, in the community, and in participants’ homes. Excellent judgment and understanding of boundaries when working with mental health participants. Preferred Skills Previous use of an electronic health record (Carelogic preferred). Experience in a multidisciplinary setting and field‑based clinical work preferred. Fluency in Spanish is a plus. Employee Benefits Medical Dental Vision Vacation and Paid Time Off – starting at 25 days per year 12 Paid Holidays per year Retirement 403(b) with competitive matching up to 6% Employee Referral Program Equal Opportunity Employer 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, ethnicity 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. #J-18808-Ljbffr The Center for Alternative Sentencing and Employment Services (CASES)