Peer Specialist ICM - NYC Criminal Justice Agency

PEER SPECIALIST ICM

QUEENS SUPERVISED RELEASE PROGRAM 

Posted: 10/24/2024

CJA's work seeks to reduce jail overcrowding and unnecessary detention in New York City. 

Are you a certified Peer Specialist who is interested in assisting program participants in your community? 

Are you interested in helping us implement a more person-centered, recovery-oriented, trauma-informed approach? 

Would you like to help change the way arrested individuals view the criminal justice system? 

Join our team of multi-disciplined professionals!  

ABOUT CJA 

The New York City Criminal Justice Agency (CJA) is a not-for-profit service and research organization that operates in partnership with the New York City Mayor's Office of Criminal Justice.  CJA is the City's main pretrial services agency, combining operations, pilot projects, and research under one roof.  CJA utilizes procedural justice practices to provide pretrial services to over 100,000 persons arrested annually in New York City. Information collected about these arrestees and subsequent case processing is maintained in the agency's internal and externally shared database systems, which are used to conduct descriptive and evaluation research on arrestee characteristics, case processing and court outcomes, and on issues and potential reforms to criminal justice policy in New York City. CJA's programs operate in the criminal courts and detention facilities 24 hours a day seven days a week within the 5 boroughs of NYC, employing over 280 employees, citywide. 

POSITION SUMMARY

Under the supervision of a Peer Supervisor, The Peer Specialist will provide person-centered, recovery-oriented, strength-based, and trauma-informed Peer support for clients who met the eligibility criteria of high-risk and high needs and require a support team to meet with them where they are at regardless of their location in NYC. The Peer Specialist is dedicated to promoting wellness and supporting recovery journeys within the community.  As an essential part of and integrated and multi-disciplinary Clinical Services Department at Queens Supervised Release, the Peer Specialist aims to empower clients in enhancing their mental health, fostering resilience, and facilitating their path to recovery and wellness. By offering compassionate care and tailored support, this role endeavors to create new opportunities for success and well-being for those in the highest of needs.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

• As part of an interdisciplinary team of Peer Specialists, Behavioral Health Specialists, Licensed Clinicians, Clinical Care Coordinators and Housing Specialist, the Peer Specialist will be responsible for managing a caseload of 10-15 high-needs (serious mental illness, substance use, homelessness) participants at a time, providing face-to-face community-based Peer counseling. 
• Provide court-based Peer support to participants upon their release from arraignment to Supervised Release. Identify immediate needs or concerns and facilitate immediate connections to community-based services. 
• Engage with participants within community settings to offer emotional support, guidance, advocacy, assistance in navigating care systems, accompany them to court dates, and build trust and rapport.
• Coordinate with assigned case management staff and other service providers to review participants' release conditions. Utilize evidence-based support techniques to encourage individuals to attend all supervision appointments and court appearances. Provide referrals to community-based treatment and support services as required.
• Advocate for clients' needs and rights within the mental health system and broader community, ensuring they receive appropriate services and resources.
• Maintain accurate, efficient, and timely documentation of participant interactions and progress notes in an electronic case management system, with a focus on accurately collecting data for programmatic research purposes. 
• Assist clients in identifying their goals for recovery and wellness and providing support to help them achieve these goals.
• Collaborate with other members of the Case Management care team to ensure coordinated and holistic care.
• Engage in ongoing self-advocacy and self-care practices to maintain personal wellness and resilience, which in turn supports the ability to effectively support others in the community.

Client Centered Management and Communication 

• Communicate with staff comprised of diverse identities, experiences, and professional disciplines in a respectful manner that acknowledges differences, expertise, and experiences to promote collaboration and better client outcomes.
• Communicate with clients of diverse populations, needs and experiences in the justice system and other institutions in a respectful manner that acknowledges lived experiences and creates connection.
• Answer questions about our services in an informed and well-resourced way and directs clients and community members to resources by making appropriate referrals.
• Ensure that clients are being supported in a timely manner, through careful inquiry and the use of evidence-based tools.

Influencing and Motivating

• Ability to work intensively with clients using goal-based interventions to create behavioral changes.
• Support the client's self-efficacy by reinforcing their power to make the changes that they want.
• Guide clients through the treatment plan and behavior change process; recognize/acknowledge the positive changes that are made and continue encouraging behavioral changes along the way.
• Clearly and concisely communicate with other members of the mobile team to understand and support the needs and goals of the client and collaborate on appropriate next steps.

QUALIFICATIONS 

• HS Diploma or equivalency required 
• Fluency in Spanish is preferred
• NYS Peer Specialist certification OR Recovery Peer Advocate certification required 
• 2 years of professional experience as a Peer Specialist, Peer Advocate, or Peer Counselor in a Behavioral Health or Criminal Justice setting required
• Experience providing community-based Peer support required
• History of lived experience in recovery and/or the criminal justice system required. As an individual who actively participates in their own recovery from mental illness and/or substance use, must be willing to appropriately and effectively utilize their recovery experience to engage and support others 
• Proficiency in using computer software applications such as Microsoft Office suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook), email, web browser and database/file management systems required 

The successful candidate will possess a combination of the following knowledge, skills, and experiences: 

• Familiarity with Pretrial/Supervised Release, Alternative to Detention (ATD), Alternative to Incarceration (ATI) or other advocacy program models 
• Working knowledge of community-based treatment programs (substance use, mental health, etc.) and other support services and resources (housing, education, employment, vocational, etc.) 
• Ability to maintain professional boundaries and confidentiality in compliance with agency and state guidelines 
• Must be willing to work evening and weekend hours.
• Willingness to travel via public transportation to conduct community visits with participants

Hours & Scheduling Expectations

This is a visible role with direct client-facing responsibilities engaging with clients, staff, and other stakeholders. The successful candidate will possess the required qualifications and skills, and the ability to work in-person 5 days a week.

• This role has one line with shifts Sunday-Thursday 9AM-5PM and the other line withshifts Tuesday-Saturday 1-9PM.
• To provide optimal coverage for client engagement, regularly scheduled workweeks will include weekends and possible night shifts.
• Flex hours will be occasionally required to perform client visits either in their homes, or at community-based locations.
• Travel within the 5 boroughs required for client engagement or meetings with community partners, as needed.

SALARY:  $55,073

Location: Queens, NY 

*Internal applicants must be at least 1 year in their current role and in current good standing (no disciplinary action within the last 90 days) to be eligible for this role.

CJA VALUES 

Each employee should embody the following core values in their work at CJA: 

• Commitment: We are committed to being active partners in criminal justice reform through initiatives and creative problem-solving that evaluates different methods and strategies for alternatives to detention. 
• Fairness: We are guided by fairness and the presumption of innocence for those who are detained and work with integrity and without bias to protect the privacy and interest of court-involved people and their families. 
• Innovation: We value curiosity as a driving force to lead the way in pretrial services. We use innovative techniques in research, pilot programs, and engaging justice-involved communities to execute our mission of reducing unnecessary pretrial detention. 

BENEFITS: CJA offers a very generous benefit plan including health, dental and vision insurance, a comprehensive mental health, and wellness (EAP) plan, four weeks' vacation, paid holidays, and a retirement plan with employer matching contributions.  CJA is also strongly committed to professional learning and development for its staff members and offers staff varied opportunities for learning and development through partnerships and vendor services for web based, in-person professional development training, as well as in-house job training and development. 

NOTE: CJA will consider internal candidates first and only those external candidates being considered will be contacted. 

CJA is seeking applicants who pursue professional development pathways by participating in educational opportunities, reading professional publications, maintaining professional networks, and engaging with professional associations.

The New York City Criminal Justice Agency is an Equal Opportunity Employer  

CJA is committed to creating a diverse work environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, sex, gender identity, religion, sexual orientation, age, disability, parental status, veteran status, or any other protected status under applicable laws. We encourage individuals of all backgrounds to apply.