Certified Peer Specialist - ACT

Access, Inc.; Valley Cottage (NY); On-site; USD 34,000 - 39,000; Full time

Job summary

Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) is seeking an ACT Certified Peer Specialist to bring lived experience into recovery-focused care. You will work within a mobile, multidisciplinary team, delivering services in participants' homes and community settings to support housing, employment, relationships, wellness, and recovery.

The role requires a NYS Certified Peer Specialist (provisional accepted), a high school diploma, valid driver's license, and strong communication and boundaries.

Qualifications

• Lived experience with mental health challenges and recovery orientation.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, writing, organizational, and telephone skills.
• Ability to prioritize, adapt to changing needs, and manage multiple tasks.
• Strong professional boundaries and sound judgment.
• Ability to work collaboratively as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Commitment to ongoing learning, training and professional development.
• Genuine belief in the strengths and potential of the individuals we serve.

Responsibilities

• Use lived experience to inspire hope and support participants in their recovery journeys.
• Partner with participants, families, team members, and community providers.
• Manage an assigned caseload and serve as chart manager for designated participants.
• Provide direct support, education, information, and skill-building services.
• Bring participant perspective to treatment planning and team discussions.
• Coach, educate, and empower participants to exercise voice and choice.
• Advocate for participant preferences, strengths, goals, and choices.
• Participate in interdisciplinary meetings, trainings, and care coordination.
• Support crisis intervention and other ACT services as part of the team.
• Contribute to quality improvement via participant feedback and insights.
• Maintain progress notes, assessments, and treatment plans in a timely manner.
• Ensure compliance with federal/state regulations and agency policies.

Skills

Lived experience

Interpersonal skills

Communication skills

Organizational skills

Telephone skills

Team collaboration

Continuous learning

Boundaries and judgment

Education

High School Diploma or GED

New York State Certified Peer Specialist

Job description

Posted Friday, August 14, 2026 at 4:00 AM

Do Work That Matters. In a Culture That Means It.

Be part of a team that values connection, accountability, and real impact.

Why Access?

Because how we work matters just as much as what we do. At Access, our Culture Playbook isn’t a poster on the wall – it’s how we show up for each other and for the people we support.

You’ll be part of a team that is:

• Clear about expectations
• Supportive and accountable
• Focused on outcomes that matter to people.

And committed to helping people live the healthiest and fullest lives possible – while making sure out staff can do the same.

Hours: Mon-Fri 8:30am-5pm

Pay: $25 Provisional and $28.50 Full Certification

About Assertive Community Treatment (ACT)

Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) is an evidence-based, person-centered approach providing treatment, rehabilitation, and support to individuals living with serious mental illness. A mobile, multidisciplinary team delivers individualized services in participants’ homes and community settings, helping them achieve meaningful goals related to housing, employment, relationships, wellness, and recovery. ACT also incorporates harm reduction and trauma-informed care.

The Role of the ACT Certified Peer

The ACT Certified Peer Specialist uses lived experience and recovery to build hope, strengthen engagement, and empower participants. As a valued member of the interdisciplinary team, the Certified Peer ensures that participant voice, choice, and self-determination remain central to care and treatment planning.

Primary Functions

• Use lived experience in a professional and purposeful manner to inspire hope, strengthen engagement, and support participants in their recovery journeys.
• Partner collaboratively with participants, families, team members, and community providers.
• Manage an assigned caseload and serve as chart manager for designated participants.
• Provide direct support, education, information, and skill-building services based on each participant’s goals and needs.
• Bring the participant perspective to treatment planning, team discussions, and decision-making.
• Coach, educate, encourage, and empower participants to use their voice and make informed choices about their care and lives.
• Advocate for participant preferences, strengths, goals, and choices throughout the service-planning process.
• Participate actively in interdisciplinary team meetings, trainings, care coordination, and clinical discussions.
• Help team members and community partners understand the value of participant voice, choice, and self-determination.
• Serve as a bridge between participants and professionals, fostering communication, trust, and mutual understanding.
• Participate in community outreach and represent the participant perspective with community stakeholders when appropriate.
• Support crisis intervention and other ACT services and activities as part of the interdisciplinary team.
• Contribute to quality improvement initiatives by sharing participant feedback and insights.
• Complete progress notes, assessments, treatment plans, and other required documentation accurately and within established timelines.
• Maintain compliance with applicable federal and state regulations, agency policies, procedures, and documentation standards.
• Participate in the on-call rotation.
• Complete required training and ongoing professional development to maintain certification and strengthen skills.

Qualifications & Attributes

We are looking for someone who brings compassion, authenticity, resilience, and a strong commitment to recovery and self-determination.

Successful candidates will demonstrate:

• Lived experience with mental health challenges and the ability to share personal experiences in a thoughtful, supportive, and recovery-oriented manner.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, writing, organizational, and telephone skills.
• The ability to prioritize responsibilities, adapt to changing needs, and manage multiple tasks effectively.
• Strong professional boundaries and sound judgment.
• The ability to work collaboratively as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• A commitment to ongoing learning, training, and professional development.
• A genuine belief in the strengths, abilities, and potential of the individuals we serve.

Education & Experience

• High School Diploma or GED required.
• New York State Certified Peer Specialist certification required; Provisional Certification accepted.
• Personal lived experience with mental health challenges required.
• Previous experience in a peer, behavioral health, human services, or other supportive role preferred.
• Valid New York State Driver’s License required.
• Bilingual Spanish, Haitian Creole, or Yiddish is a plus.

Physical & Work Environment

The physical demands described below are representative of those required to successfully perform the essential functions of the position:

• Ability to move throughout the workday and accompany participants in the community.
• Ability to sit or stand for extended periods while using a computer.
• Ability to work in an open-office environment in close proximity to coworkers.
• Ability to navigate and work in tight spaces when needed.
• Ability to occasionally lift more than 5 pounds, such as a backpack containing a laptop and work materials.
• Ability to work effectively in a mobile, community-based environment as well as an open-space office setting.

Why This Role Matters

As an ACT Certified Peer Specialist, your lived experience is a strength. Your perspective can help someone feel understood, build trust, discover hope, and take meaningful steps toward the life they want.

You will be an essential member of a collaborative team while helping ensure that the people we serve are not simply participants in their care—they are active partners in defining their recovery and their future.

An Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability and Veterans