Title: Peer Specialist
Location: New York City Metropolitan Area
Report to: Director of Social Services
Classification: Non-exempt
Employment Type: Full-time (35 hours per week)
Role Summary: A Peer Specialist is a compassionate and motivated individual who supports clients throughout their recovery and rehousing journey. Drawing on their own lived experiences, the Peer Specialist inspire hope, foster meaningful relationships, and promote empowerment and self-determination. Thay play a vital role in assisting clients in developing essential skills and accessing necessary resources.
Primary Job Responsibilities/Duties:
The job duties of the Peer Specialist include, but are not necessarily limited to, the following:
- Provide empathetic peer support for clients
- Assist clients in building skills, confidence, and supportive relationships as they prepare for independent or supportive living
- Advocate on behalf of an alongside clients within the team and in the broader community
- Facilitate peer-led run groups and provide one-on-one support to clients
- Collaborate with clients to develop individualized recovery plan, coping strategies, and rehabilitation goals
- Coordinate client logistics to develop logistics, including medical appointments, therapy sessions, and support group participation
- Promptly report any unusual behavior, conflict, or deviation from recovery progress to the Social Service staff
- Actively identify and facilitate linkages to appropriate community resources
- Escort clients to program-related appointments as needed
- Assist with planning and executing program events and activities
- Maintain strict confidentiality regarding all resident, staff and agency information
- Supporting program staff with assigned project-based work
- Conduct after care follow-up in coordination with case managers
- Assess clients' behavior and psychological needs
- Identifying and respond appropriately when clients may be at risk of harming themselves or others
Physical Requirements:
- Ability to walk, stand, kneel, crouch, and bend over.
- Ability to lift, carry, reach, and handle objects weighing up to 25 pounds.
- Ability to sit at a desk and work on a computer for prolonged periods.
- Ability to travel to different locations within New York City, as needed.
Work Environment / Schedule Requirements:
- May at times be required to work evenings, weekends, and/or holidays based on organizational needs, deadlines, or events.
Qualifications:
- High School Diploma or General Equivalency Diploma (GED) required.
- Lived experience with homelessness/displacement, mental health conditions, trauma, and/or substance use challenges.
- Highly compassionate with strong attention to detail.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Must be able to read, speak, write, and understand English for administrative purposes.
- Must pass drug test to be appointed.
- This position may be subject to a series of checks before and/or after appointment.
