C

Peer Specialist

Center For Alternative
Mar 31
Full-time
On-site
Brooklyn, New York, United States
$0 - $53,045 USD yearly
Peer Support


Job Title: Peer Specialist

 

Job Summary:

Are you someone with lived experience in mental health and/or criminal legal systems who is passionate about helping others navigate these systems? If so, we need your help on our Nathaniel Community Success (NCS) team at CASES! NCS is a new alternatives-to-detention/incarceration (ATD/ATI) program that serves individuals of all genders, aged 16 and older, with mental illness (including substance use problems); this program will directly help reduce the utilization of jails and prisons. 

  

We are seeking a Peer Specialist for our Brooklyn NCS team, who will join a multidisciplinary team comprised of a Team Leader, Forensic Clinical Case Coordinator, Forensic Case Coordinator, Substance Use Specialist, Clinical Criminal Legal Specialist, and Program Assistant. The Peer Specialist will use their unique perspective to provide peer support to participants within the framework of the core principles of recovery and self-determination. They will facilitate participants’ utilization of community treatment services and will provide support for participants in pursuing housing, benefits, employment, and vocational services. The Peer Specialist works individually with participants and may also facilitate groups using standard curriculum. 

 

Shift Hours: This position is full-time Monday - Friday from 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM

 

Location Address: 25 Chapel St, Brooklyn, NY 11201. Our office is easily accessible by public transportation.
 

Workplace Flexibility: Flexible - Staff have flexibility to complete their workday from home or another suitable space, typically after reporting to the office and/or engaging in field or community-based work

 

Salary: The salary for this role is $53,045 per year
 

What You Will Be Doing: 

  • Engage ATI participants through outreach and diligent search efforts to promote participation, reduce recidivism, and support sustained community involvement.
  • Conduct immediate needs assessments and connect participants to mental health, substance use, housing, education, employment, medical care, income supports (including Medicaid), civil legal services, and self-help resources.
  • Deliver individualized case management and peer support services that address strengths and criminogenic risk factors using gender-responsive and culturally competent approaches.
  • Use lived experience and intentional self-disclosure strategically to foster engagement, recovery, empowerment, and self-determination.
  • Apply motivational interviewing and other engagement techniques to support recovery goals and reduce risk factors for criminal recidivism.
  • Provide advocacy to help participants navigate complex systems, access services, and understand and protect their rights and responsibilities.
  • Assess and respond effectively to crises using sound judgment and recovery-oriented principles.
  • Collaborate with the multidisciplinary team on service planning, case coordination, and structured case reviews.
  • Operate within the legal framework of ATI, support compliance with community supervision requirements, and maintain timely, accurate electronic documentation, database entries, participant admissions, and required letters and progress reports for defense attorneys, judges, and prosecutors.
  • Perform other related duties as assigned by the Team Leader or Senior Director.

 

What We Are Looking For: 

  • High school degree with related work experience
  • Participant or graduate of a recognized peer specialist training program, such as the Howie the Harp Peer Advocacy and Training Center Forensic Peer Specialist Program
  • Must have Peer Certification
  • Must be a mental health consumer with a history of involvement in the criminal legal system. As an individual in recovery from mental illness and substance use, the Peer must be willing to utilize their recovery experience to engage and support ATI participants
  • Strong knowledge of wellness, recovery, and self-help
  • Effective communication and written skills are essential
  • Proficiency with computers and databases
     

Preferred Skills:

  • Fluency in Spanish
     

Employee Benefits:

CASES cares about employee wellbeing, and we offer a comprehensive benefits package to support you and your family, including:  

  • Medical 
  • Dental 
  • Vision 
  • Vacation and Paid Time Off – starting at 25 days-off annually
  • 12 Paid Holidays per year
  • Retirement 403b Competitive matching up to 6%
  • Employee Referral Program
  • Visit www.cases.org/careers/ to learn more about benefits offered by the CASES

 

Although we would love to learn about the skills of every candidate, only selected candidates that are selected will receive a response. We encourage you to apply for any position(s) you feel you are qualified for.  
 

CASES is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment with CASES is based solely on qualifications and competence for a particular position without regard to race, color, ethnic or national origin, age, religion, creed, gender, sexual orientation, disability, or marital, military, or citizenship status. We also actively recruit individuals with prior involvement in the criminal legal system.


This position is full-time Monday - Friday from 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
35 hours per week