Peer Specialist

Peer Specialist

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'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.

CJA operates a Supervised Release Program in Queens Criminal Court. The program, which operates during the day and night court in Queens, screens targeted court-involved individuals for release at criminal court arraignment, subject to specific conditions including maintaining face-to-face and telephone contact with the program, participating in an assessment process to identify needs such as substance use and mental health, and agreeing to program monitoring of court appearances and re-arrests.

This is a great opportunity for a dynamic, knowledgeable individual, experienced in dealing with high-needs populations such as those with mental health diagnoses, at-risk youth, and others with social, emotional, or developmental challenges, who have criminal court involvement.

Under the supervision of a Peer Supervisor, the Peer Support Specialist (PSS) provides non-clinical, trauma-informed, and person-centered support to individuals mandated to participate in the Queens Supervised Release program. Drawing upon their own experiences with the justice system, recovery, or reentry, the PSS builds authentic relationships that foster trust, engagement, and personal growth. The PSS serves as a role model for recovery, resilience, and reintegration, and works collaboratively with case managers, clinicians, and/or behavioral health specialists, housing specialists, and legal system partners to reduce recidivism and support client success.

Primary responsibilities include:

• Supporting a caseload of 15–20 high-needs participants at a time, providing face-to-face, telephonic, and community Peer recovery support and advocacy.
• Establishing supportive, peer-based relationships grounded in trust, mutual respect, and shared experience.
• Providing one-on-one peer mentoring, advocacy, and emotional support to program participants.
• Assisting participants in identifying goals related to housing, employment, wellness, sobriety, and social connection.
• Accompanying participants to court appearances, community appointments, or service referrals as needed.
• Supporting participants in navigating court requirements, probation/parole expectations, and community service obligations.
• Providing court-based Peer support to participants upon completion of arraignment, identifying immediate needs or concerns, and facilitating immediate connections to community-based services.
• Facilitating or co-facilitating peer-led groups focused on recovery, emotional regulation, life skills, and reentry planning.
• Collaborating with case managers and legal advocates to ensure participant needs and preferences are understood and honored.
• Participating in regular supervision, peer development meetings, and trainings related to harm reduction, trauma-informed care, and justice-system navigation.
• Documenting participant engagement and progress in a timely manner in an electronic case management system in accordance with program guidelines and confidentiality requirements.
• Upholding ethical guidelines, competencies, and boundaries appropriate to peer support roles.

Required qualifications include:

• HS Diploma or equivalency required.
• NYS Peer Specialist certification (CPS) OR Recovery Peer Advocate certification (CRPA) required. Certification must be maintained and kept current while employed in this position.
• 2 years of professional experience as a Peer Specialist, Peer Advocate, Peer Navigator, or Peer Counselor in a Behavioral Health or Criminal Justice setting required.
• Personal lived experience with the criminal legal system and/or recovery from substance use, mental health, or homelessness.
• Ability to model recovery-oriented practices.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to maintain boundaries and practice cultural humility.
• Familiarity with community-based resources including housing, treatment, employment services, and legal supports.
• Proficiency in using computer software applications such as Microsoft Office suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook), email, web browser and database/file management systems required.
• Reliable transportation and ability to travel locally as needed.

Preferred qualifications include:

• Experience working or volunteering in peer support, reentry programs, harm reduction, or behavioral health settings.
• Knowledge of trauma-informed and restorative justice principles.
• Bilingual or multilingual (especially Spanish, if applicable to your region).

Working conditions include:

• This role involves a combination of office, community, and courtroom settings.
• Occasional evening or weekend hours may be required.
• Peer Support Specialists must be able to model wellness and uphold recovery principles in challenging environments.

The New York City Criminal Justice Agency is committed to building a team that reflects the communities we serve. We strongly encourage applications from people who have been impacted by the justice system, are in recovery, or identify as part of historically marginalized communities.

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 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.
• Must be willing to work evening and weekend hours, as operations expand.
• Willingness to travel via public transportation to conduct community visits with participants.

CJA values:

• 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 on a hybrid schedule with in-person work 4 days per week and one remote day. The successful hire must be able to assume responsibilities that are both remote and on-site, in accordance with CJA policy at the time of hire. Terms and conditions are subject to change based on business needs and prevailing public health guidelines.

*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.

Salary: $55,000

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.

Only those candidates being considered will be contacted.

CJA is seeking applicants who pursue professional development pathways by participating in educational opportunities, reading professional publications, maintaining professional networks, and engaging with professional associations.

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 on the basis of 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.