Peer Specialist

Title:                                 Peer Specialist

Unit:                                 Congregate Housing – Castle III

Reports to:                       Program Director

Status:                              Full-Time; Regular; Non-Exempt

Salary:                              $27.48 (approximately $50,000 annually)

Location:                          East Harlem, NYC

Days/Hours:                    Day and Evening hours

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 nation’s 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 continuing to grow, both in size and in the depth of our 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 program models are recognized, both nationally and internationally, for their quality and innovation. We have locations in Brooklyn, the Bronx, Manhattan, and Queens.

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Peer Specialist will function as a role model, exhibiting competency in personal recovery and use of coping skills, and serve as an advocate providing peer support and resources to tenants served in housing. The Peer Specialist will also assist in inspiring, promoting empowerment, and fostering self-determination among our participants. In addition, the Peer Specialist will assist participants in practicing self-sufficiency through activities that emphasize the development and enhancement of life skills.

CORE COMPETENCIES:

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

Communication/Social Skills:  Candidate will address and be responsive to the concerns of others; manage their verbal, nonverbal, written and visual language; be an effective listener, observer, and empathetic; intervene in crisis, when necessary, through conflict resolution or mediation; transfer and translate information in our database system and maintain level of communication between peers and supervisor when appropriate.

Cross-Cultural Skills:  Candidate will demonstrate an understanding of and respect for the importance of cultural competence with our clients and staff; be receptive to different groups and cultures and engage them effectively; possess an awareness of the impact on marginalized groups.

Professionalism/Work Ethics:  Candidate will demonstrate personal accountability, effective work habits, i.e., punctuality, working productively with others, time and workload management.  Candidate will also demonstrate integrity and ethical behavior, act responsibly with the interests of the larger community in mind, and be able to learn from their mistakes.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Assist tenants with identifying sustaining coping techniques and self-help strategies.
• Assist tenants with working with their Case Manager in determining steps deemed necessary to achieve treatment goals,
• Assist the Case Manager in identifying possible tenant barriers, interventions, and treatment programs,
• Escort tenants as needed to various appointments via public transportation,
• Conduct follow-up with tenants via telephone outreach and/or home visits,
• Assist tenants with understanding the team's recommendations geared towards their personal goals,
• Assist with building confidence, which will support tenants with engaging in self-management skills,
• Assists the tenant with taking steps toward behavioral change,
• Refer tenants to wellness services that are conducive to strengthening their overall sustainability.
• Assist with identifying and referring tenants to treatment programs that will address their substance usage.
• Assist with coordinating to ensure that tenants are attached to a Primary Care Physician
• Encourage tenants to participate in shared decision-making and discussion with our Case Management team to enhance adherence to the treatment plan.
• Ensuring progress notes are entered into the database in a timely fashion,
• Filing various information into the individual tenants' charts,

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Certification as a Certified Recovery Specialist,
• Ability to travel throughout the 5 boroughs to escort the client to appointments via Public Transportation.
• Ability to assist with educating the tenant on their individualized treatment goals,
• Ability to work under strict confidentiality and promoting HIPPA laws,
• Ability to be receptive to feedback and supervision for development,
• Knowledgeable in utilizing motivational interviewing and trauma-informed techniques
• Must be able to identify and build on the strengths of each tenant,
• Must be able to network in partnership with other agencies to ensure that tenants receive the best possible services conducive to their overall well-being
• Able to work with tenants from diverse backgrounds, who may suffer from mental health disorders and substance usage challenges.

We seek talented, dedicated individuals from all walks of life who possess a strong commitment to this mission.  Relevant personal experience is a plus.     

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 accommodations 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.