Peer Recovery Advocate; CRPA

About The Organization

Center for Community Alternatives (CCA) supports and builds power with people across New York State who have been affected by mass incarceration, criminalization and community disinvestment. Through a statewide network of direct services, advocacy and organizing, and by supporting the leadership of directly-impacted people, we advance civil and human rights for all New Yorkers. CCA works to build a world where everyone has what they need to thrive.

At CCA, we are committed to fair transparent pay, and we strive to provide competitive market-informed compensation. The successful candidate's salary is determined by the combination of knowledge, skills, competencies, experience, and geography. Our goal is to continue to make CCA one of the most desirable nonprofit places at which to work, and in part, recognize the importance of work‑life balance.

The Peer Recovery Advocate uses their own experience to engage participants and prospective participants in treatment with the goal of improving engagement in treatment and developing increased sense of self‑efficacy or empowerment.

Direct Supervisor:
Director of Behavioral Services

• Engage with prospective participants to discuss how they might benefit from treatment.
• Engage participants to attend/engage in treatment or other healthcare services.
• Educate participants about various modes of treatment and recovery, including medication‑assisted treatment.
• Support participants to identify their strengths as well as obstacles to their recovery.
• Model coping skills and other skills useful to the recovery process.
• Raise awareness of existing social and other support services.
• Link participants to formal recovery supports.
• Assist participants with applying for benefits.
• Provide resources for continuing care services post‑discharge.
• Accompany clients to court appearances and medical or other appointments when necessary.
• Provide non‑clinical crisis support, especially after periods of hospitalization or incarceration.
• Complete accurate and timely documentation in the electronic health record system.
• Participate in staff meetings, case conferences, supervisory meetings, and trainings.
• Identify and report opportunities to improve the quality of care, staff effectiveness, and participant satisfaction.
• Additional responsibilities as assigned.

• New York Certified Peer Recovery Advocate.
• Experience in incarceration, or other impact by the criminal legal system, strongly preferred.
• Experience working in an office or clinic environment is preferred.
• Strong interpersonal and relationship‑building skills.
• Ability to organize own time to complete assigned work on time.
• Computer literacy is preferred (word processing, e‑mail, internet research, data entry).
• Bilingual in English and Spanish is preferred.
• People who have been impacted by the criminal legal system or are formerly incarcerated are strongly encouraged to apply.

ALL APPLICANTS MUST SUBMIT COVER LETTER WITH RESUME.

• 12 paid holidays per year.
• 20 days of earned time off (ETO) for full‑time staff, with the ability to use it after 90‑days of employment.
• Time off is earned starting on your first day.
• 7 days of paid sick time.
• 100% paid family leave.
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program.