The Connections to Care (CTC) Peer Specialist provides community-based support to individuals, youth, and families experiencing or at risk of homelessness who are living with serious mental illness, emotional disturbance, or co-occurring disorders. About 80% of the work takes place in the field—on the streets, in subways, drop-in centers, or shelters. As part of The Bridge, a respected mental health agency, the Peer Specialist helps carry out our mission to offer help, hope, and opportunity through a harm reduction and trauma-informed lens, while addressing the impact of systemic racism on the communities we serve.
Essential Position Functions:
- Collaborate with a multidisciplinary team to provide person-centered peer support services to individuals with serious mental illness (SMI), serious emotional disturbance (SED), or co-occurring disorders (COD).
- Complete all required documentation accurately and in a timely, high-quality manner.
- Partner with clients, their families, and community organizations to support progress toward treatment and recovery goals.
- Coordinate care with hospitals, substance use treatment programs, probation and parole, and other relevant service providers.
- Conduct psychosocial, substance use, and other clinical assessments as needed.
- Support clients in developing individualized service plans and crisis/relapse prevention plans.
- Apply evidence-based practices (e.g., WRAP, harm reduction) to address mental health and substance use challenges.
- Assist clients in accessing support for housing, benefits, employment, education, vocational goals, community integration, and physical health care.
- Provide advocacy and support related to legal needs, including navigating the criminal justice system and coordinating with legal agencies.
Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
- Certified Peer Specialist or Certified Recovery Peer Advocate.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English required; proficiency in Spanish is highly desired.
- Strong computer skills are needed.
- Lived experience in mental health, substance use, criminal justice, or homelessness is highly encouraged.
The Bridge Inc. is an Affirmative Action / Equal Opportunity Employer
Job Type: Part-time
Pay: $21.97 per hour
Benefits:
- 401(k) matching
- 403(b)
- Dental insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Employee discount
- Flexible schedule
- Flexible spending account
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Parental leave
- Professional development assistance
- Referral program
- Retirement plan
- Vision insurance
Education:
- High school or equivalent (Required)
License/Certification:
- Certified Peer Specialist /Certified Recovery Peer Advocate (Required)
Ability to Commute:
- New York, NY 10027 (Required)
Willingness to travel:
Work Location: In person
