Peer Specialist

Location: New York

Title:

Peer Specialist Unit:
Scattered Site Housing (OMH)

Reports to:

Program Manager Salary Range: $32.97 per hour (approximately $60,000 annually)
Status:
Full Time;
Regular;
Non-Exempt

Location:

Brooklyn, New York Days/

Hours:

Tuesday through Saturday, 9am to 5pm (weekend availability required)
This position is represented by OPEIU Local 153

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 that we will keep growing, both in size and depth of 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 participant population mirrors the incarcerated population in being approximately 85% male and over 90% people of color. Our program models are recognized, both nationally and internationally, for their quality and innovation. We have locations in Brooklyn, The Bronx, Manhattan and Queens.

Scope of Position:

The Mental Health Peer Specialist is responsible to assist individuals through lived experience in mental health or substance use recovery who provides peer-to-peer support, mentoring, and advocacy. They foster hope, promote self-determination, and help individuals navigate treatment systems to achieve long-term recovery, working alongside clinical staff.

Core Competencies Mission and Fit:

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

Transparency:

Identify as being actively in recovery from a mental health condition and intentionally self-disclose one’s mental health recovery journey.

Resourcefulness:

Possess a strong understanding of a wide range of Wellness Recovery resources available through government agencies and nonprofit organizations. This knowledge enables them to effectively support participants during crisis situations, make appropriate referrals, and advocate on their behalf.

Engagement:

Demonstrate active listening skills by using empathy and reflection to effectively engage a diverse client population. Apply high-quality, evidence-informed engagement strategies to address client needs, while…