Peer Specialist

Title: Peer Specialist
Unit: NYS OMH Scattered Site Apartment Treatment Program
Reports to: Program Manager
Salary Range: $32.97 per hour (approximately $60,000 annually)
Status: Full Time; Regular; Non-Exempt
Location: Brooklyn, New York
Days/Hours: Tuesday through Saturday, 9am to 5pm (weekend availability required)

This position is represented by OPEIU Local 153

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 nations 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 participant population mirrors the incarcerated population in being approximately 85% male and over 90% people of color. Our program models are recognized, both nationally and internationally, for their quality and innovation. We have locations in Brooklyn, The Bronx, Manhattan and Queens.

Scope of Position:

The Mental Health Peer Specialist is responsible to assist individuals through lived experience in mental health or substance use recovery who provides peer-to-peer support, mentoring, and advocacy. They foster hope, promote self-determination, and help individuals navigate treatment systems to achieve long-term recovery, working alongside clinical staff.

Core Competencies

Mission and Fit:
Embodies Fortunes mission, and will be an effective member of the team in furthering it. The candidate should exhibit compassion and understanding for our participants (wherever they are in their re-entry process) and embrace Fortunes core cultural value so that none of us should be measured against the worst things we have done.

Transparency:
Identify as being actively in recovery from a mental health condition and intentionally self-disclose ones mental health recovery journey.

Resourcefulness:
Possess a strong understanding of a wide range of Wellness Recovery resources available through government agencies and nonprofit organizations. This knowledge enables them to effectively support participants during crisis situations, make appropriate referrals, and advocate on their behalf.

Engagement:
Demonstrate active listening skills by using empathy and reflection to effectively engage a diverse client population. Apply high-quality, evidence-informed engagement strategies to address client needs, while exhibiting strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build meaningful connections.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

- Use motivational interviewing, recovery-oriented, and trauma-informed approaches when delivering peer services.

- Advocate for the rights and needs of individuals, promoting self-determination, informed decision-making, and self-advocacy.

- Help clients navigate the mental health system, connect with community resources, and bridge transitions between inpatient and community settings.

- Conduct a minimum of two home visits per week, and additional visits as needed.

- Teach coping strategies and independent living skills (e.g., social skills, using public transportation).

- Ability to maintain confidential information, as related to position.

- Accompany clients to and from appointments (e.g., medical, social service, housing).

- Participate in case conferences and team meetings, whether in person or virtually.

- Attend and actively participate in all relevant training sessions.

- Show initiative and be responsible for follow through.

- Maintain accurate and timely documentation of client interactions and progress in Fortunes data platform, Case Worthy, in accordance with OMH regulations.

- Collect urinary specimens (e.g., utilizing multi-drug panel and submission of urine sample sent to Quest Diagnostic) and complete required data reporting.

- Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Qualifications:

- NYS OMH and/or OASAS Certified Peer Specialist;

- At least two years of work experience providing peer support to individuals with serious mental illness and criminal justice involvement;

- Graduate of a recognized peer specialist training program, such as the Howie the Harp Peer Advocacy and Training Center Peer Specialist Program;

- High School Diploma;

- Lived experience using mental health treatment and/or substance use treatment services;

- Individuals with previous criminal justice experience are eligible;

- Willingness to perform CPR/First Aid/AED/Naloxone;

- Proficiency with computers, Word, and Excel;

- 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.

Travel Requirements:
This position requires weekly on-site availability and travel to various Fortune housing and program locations as required.

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 accommodation 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, predispose genetic characteristics, victim of domestic violence status or marital status.