Peer Specialist

Title: Peer Specialist  

Unit: Behavioral Health  

Reports to: Clinical Supervisor  

Status: Full-time, Regular, Non-Exempt 

Salary Range: $50,000-$55,000  

Location: The Bronx   

Days/Hours: Monday-Friday, generally 9AM to 5PM    

Organization Overview: 

The Fortune Society, Inc. (Fortune) has been working for over 57 years in service to our mission: to support successful reentry from incarceration and promote alternatives to incarceration, thus strengthening the fabric of our communities. The organization has evolved into one of the nation’s preeminent reentry and justice-informed service organizations, providing formerly incarcerated people with the skills and wrap-around services needed to break the cycle of crime and incarceration and to build productive lives in their communities.  

Fortune has grown steadily over the years to an agency with close to $90 million in annual budget with just under 600 staff. We anticipate that we will keep growing, both in size and depth of service. Fortune has a dual mission: both advocacy and service. The advocacy portion of our mission focuses on building a more just criminal legal system and reducing the barriers to reentry into society. The service side of Fortune has evolved to encompass a broad range of programs that started with employment and education and now includes a robust array of services, among them: alternatives to incarceration, supervised release, court advocacy, discharge planning within correctional facilities, licensed substance use and mental health treatment, a housing continuum ranging from emergency and transitional through permanent congregate and scattered site housing, assistance in obtaining benefits, a care management unit, HIV services, a food and nutrition program, and an arts program. Each service we provide is informed by the needs of the population we serve. Fortune currently serves approximately 14,000 people a year. Our program models are recognized, both nationally and internationally, for their quality and innovation. We have locations in Brooklyn, The Bronx, Manhattan, and Queens. 

Position Summary: 

Reporting to the Clinical Supervisor, the Peer Specialist will be responsible for engaging individuals in one of the Behavioral Health Programs, which include:  enrolled in, or considering enrollment into the South Bronx satellite location of our Article 31 Office of Mental Health Outpatient Treatment and Rehabilitation Services (MHOTRS) program. This position is for a New York State Certified Peer Specialist who can draw from their own experience to assist individuals with a history of mental health needs. The Peer Specialist functions as a role model and credible messenger, exhibiting competency in personal recovery and use of coping skills while serving as an advocate for participants and providing additional supportive resources. The Peer Specialist is a valued member of the team who will assist with outreach/engagement/screening of new participants, as well as in supporting those who have engaged with Fortune for ongoing treatment.  Peers will make referrals and connections to community-based providers when necessary, offering support through warm hand-offs and occasional transportation to service locations. Individuals in this role will work closely with their supervisor to complete accurate, timely documentation of client engagement and referrals.  

Core Competencies: 

Mission and Fit:

Embodies Fortune’s mission and values and will be an effective member of the team in furthering both. The candidate should exhibit compassion and understanding for our participants (wherever they are in their re-entry process) and embrace Fortune’s core value that none of us should be measured against the worst things we have done. 

Client Engagement: 

The ideal candidates will demonstrate an understanding of best practices for substance use and mental health counseling.  The successful candidates will be able to incorporate active listening and observational skills to engage in productive conversations and spot signs of distress or crisis. Peer Support Specialists will assist in advocacy for clients undergoing treatment, increasing resources and building skills, and serve as mentors in setting and reaching service goals.  The ideal candidates will be able to understand the need for holistic services individuals may need to support their treatment efforts, including accessing health related social needs (HRSN). Awareness of the principles and techniques of motivational interviewing (‘MI’) and the incorporation of a harm reduction approach is also required.  

Time Management & Organizational Skills: 

This position requires solid time management skills including making, keeping and/or rescheduling appointments for participants on their caseload who are enrolled in mental health services.  The successful candidate will be excellent at maintaining personal organization in pursuing numerous tasks in parallel, managing his/her/their time to maximize efficiency. The position requires organizational skills to maintain accurate records for screenings/assessments completed; referrals made, and direct services provided.   

Basic Office Skills & Documentation: 

The candidate will be responsible for recording their participant’s interactions into the required databases, and therefore good computer skills are necessary.  This role will require the use of other tools, such as cell phones and virtual meeting platforms, such as Microsoft Teams. Solid typing skills are required to facilitate completing all documentation correctly and in a timely manner. 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities: 

• Provide psychoeducation and support to prospective and enrolled substance use treatment or mental health services participants; 

• Offer outreach, engagement and supportive services to engage and retain individuals in mental health services; 

• Collaborate and support staff in crisis intervention services to participants experiencing a crisis during Fortune’s operating hours; 

• Use lived experience to empathize, motivate and encourage individuals to access and engage with treatment and recovery services, including modeling coping skills; 

• Ensure progress notes are entered into the database in a timely fashion; 

• Complete necessary contract-based assessments and services; 

• Track participant enrollment and engagement in services, providing necessary reports and requested information to supervisor; 

• Escort participants as needed to various appointments via public transportation; 

• Conduct participant follow-up;  

• Facilitate peer support groups; 

• Participate in Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) meetings for both the substance use treatment and mental health programs; 

• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications: 

• Fully certified OASAS Certified Recovery Peer Advocate (CRPA) with a willingness to obtain provisional OMH Peer Certification within 12 months of hire;

• Minimum of one year experience in the role of a peer advocate required; 

• Identify as being actively in recovery from SUD or a mental health condition with the willingness to self-disclose one’s recovery journey;  

• Excellent overall interpersonal skills are required;

• Work schedule flexibility is required; 

• Experience working with persons with criminal justice involvement strongly desired; 

• Experienced in recovery support, housing, transportation, peer support, career training, etc. ; 

• High School Diploma or GED; 

• Bilingual in Spanish a plus.

We seek talented, dedicated individuals from all walks of life who possess a strong commitment to this mission.  Relevant personal experience is a plus. 

Physical Demands: 

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The responsibilities and requirements listed are representative of the knowledge, skills, minimum education, training, licensing, experience, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.  

The Fortune Society is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will be afforded equal employment opportunities without discrimination because of conviction history, race, religion/creed, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, military status, predisposing genetic characteristics, victim of domestic violence status or marital status.