Peer Recovery Specialist

Title: Peer Specialist

Unit: Scattered Site Housing

Reports to: Program Director

Salary Range: $25.83 per hour (approximately $47,000 annually)

Status: Full Time; Regular; Non-Exempt

Location: 625 West 140th Street, New York, NY 10031

Days/Hours: Monday through Friday, 9:00am to 5:00pm

This position is represented by OPEIU Local 153

Organization Overview:

The Fortune Society, Inc. (Fortune) has been working for almost 60 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 over $100 million in annual budget with approximately 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 outpatient 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, an arts program, lifetime aftercare, policy and advocacy through our David Rothenberg Center for Public Policy, and research through our Center for Research, Inquiry and Social Justice. Each service we provide is informed by the needs of the population we serve. Fortune currently serves approximately 20,000 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.

Scope of Work:

The Recovery Peer Specialist (RPS) serves as a role model, demonstrating competency in personal recovery and effective coping skills. The RPS provides advocacy, peer support, and access to resources for tenants enrolled in The Fortune Societys OASAS-funded Transitional Safety Unit, particularly those who are justice-impacted and managing substance use disorders. Collectively with the TSU team the RPS also assists clients in securing permanent supportive housing after achieving stability within a 6–12-month period.

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 value: that none of us should be measured against the worst things we have done.

Resourceful: The Recovery Peer Specialist should possess a strong understanding of a wide range of Wellness Recovery resources available through government agencies and nonprofit organizations. This knowledge enable them to effectively support participants during crisis situations, make appropriate referrals, and advocate on their behalf.

Engagement: Recovery Peer Specialist must 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:

- Demonstrates the ability to provide non-clinical crisis support, especially after periods of hospitalization or incarceration;

- Demonstrates the ability to build meaningful, relationship-oriented connections that foster trust, confidence, authenticity, and a sense of efficacy through shared experience;

- Supports individuals in defining and directing their own treatment and recovery plans by providing guidance, structure, encouragement, and navigation assistance in collaboration with peer support and the clinical team;

- Engages individuals in a timely and responsive manner during critical points of vulnerability and throughout the various stages of the recovery process;

- Supports individuals in re-engaging with appropriate services and supports in a timely manner in the event of a recurrence of substance use;

- Assists clients with attending treatment appointments and accessing other healthcare services;

- Assists in the development of individualized treatment and recovery plans;

- Accompany clients to court appearances, medical appointments, and other necessary appointments as needed;

- Connecting clients to formal recovery supports that promotes ongoing stability and wellness;

- Travel training to use public transportation independently;

- Provides education and support regarding the use of Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) as part of an individuals recovery process;

- Assembles clients clinical charts and ensures progress notes and other vital information are accurately filed and maintained;

- Establishing and maintaining relationships with community-based organizations, social service providers, and support networks.

- Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Qualifications:

- Certification as a Certified Recovery Specialist;

- Ability to travel throughout the 5 boroughs to escort clients on appointments via Public Transportation;

- Ability to assist with educating tenants on their individualized treatment goals;

- Ability to work under strict confidentiality and promoting HIPAA laws;

- Ability to be receptive to feedback and supervision for development;

- Knowledgeable with utilizing motivational interviewing and Trauma Informed techniques;

- Must be able to identify and build on the strengths of each individual tenant;

- Must be able to network in partnership with other agencies to ensure that tenants receive best possible services conducive to their overall wellbeing;

- Ability to work with tenants from various backgrounds who may suffer from mental health disorders and substance use challenges.

Education: High School Diploma or General Equivalency Diploma (GED)

Work Experience: Candidate must have at least two years of experience working as a Peer Specialist or similar role.

Computer Skills: Proficient in Microsoft Word and Outlook.

Communication Skills : Must be able to demonstrate excellent writing, editing and verbal communication skills.

General Work Behaviors/Skills: Excellent interpersonal skills with ability to interact culturally, linguistically, and diplomatically with diverse internal and external individuals.

Requirements related to our mission: The Fortune Society encourages individuals to apply who have successfully made the transition from incarceration and/or substance abuse into a stable, productive lifestyle in the community.

Foreign Language Skills : Written and verbal proficiency in Spanish a plus.

Travel Requirements: Ability to travel throughout the five boroughs by public transportation and via van.

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, predisposing genetic characteristics, victim of domestic violence status or marital status.