Field-Based Peer Navigator for Care Access

Acacia Network; New York (NY); Hybrid; USD 29,000 - 32,000; Full time

Job summary

Acacia Network seeks a Peer Navigator to support individuals facing barriers to care, drawing on lived experience. The role is field-based, requiring compassion, trauma-informed practice, and strong interpersonal skills to connect clients with clinical and social services across outreach, housing, and health settings.

The position emphasizes engagement, empowerment, and recovery, with a focus on building trust in diverse communities and coordinating with care teams for holistic support.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Lived experience with recovery, homelessness, HIV, behavioral health, or justice involvement preferred.
• Completion of or willingness to complete Peer Recovery Training and/or certification.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills; ability to engage diverse populations.
• Experience working in community-based, field, or outreach settings preferred.
• Ability to work independently and within a team structure in fast-paced, changing environments.
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Establish trusting relationships with individuals through outreach activities.
• Support participants in navigating services such as primary care, behavioral health, housing, and benefits enrollment.
• Provide appointment reminders, accompany clients to appointments as needed, and assist in reducing barriers to care.
• Document outreach encounters, service linkages, and follow-ups in records or EHR.
• Collaborate with care teams to develop and implement person-centered service plans.
• Participate in multidisciplinary case conferences to discuss client progress and needs.
• Educate clients on health topics, treatment adherence, and harm avoidance strategies.
• Distribute educational materials and health resources during outreach.
• Maintain confidentiality and HIPAA compliance.
• Participate in trauma-informed care, motivational interviewing, overdose prevention training.
• Build rapport and a welcoming, nonjudgmental environment.
• Demonstrate healthy coping and sustained engagement in wellness or recovery pathways.

Skills

Bilingual English/Spanish

Strong communication

Interpersonal skills

Field outreach experience

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

Smartphones/tablets

Documentation tools

Job description

If you are unable to complete this application due to a disability, contact this employer to ask for an accommodation or an alternative application process.

Bronx, NY, US

30+ days ago Requisition ID: 2034

Salary Range: $21.01 To $21.01 Hourly

Title:

FLSA Status:

Non-Exempt

Department:

Union Status:

Non- Union

Reports To:

Program Manager

Weekly Hours:

35

Status:

Full-Time

Schedule:

Mon-Fri

9:00am-5:00pm

JOB DESCRIPTION

POSITION OVERVIEW:

The Peer Navigator plays a key role in supporting individuals who face barriers to accessing care by using lived experience, including those experiencing homelessness, living with chronic health conditions, or at risk due to behavioral health or substance use challenges. Drawing from lived experience, the Peer Navigator serves as a bridge between the community and clinical or supportive services, promoting engagement, empowerment, and recovery. This role is field-based and requires a compassionate, trauma-informed approach, strong interpersonal skills, and the ability to navigate complex systems of care.

MANAGEMENT/SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBLITIES:

This position has the following management/supervisory responsibility (check only one):

This position includes no managerial or supervisory responsibilities.

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This is a supervisory position.

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This position is a managerial position.

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This is a director/administrator position.

KEY ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

· Establish trusting relationships with individuals encountered through street-based, community-based, and clinic-based outreach activities.

· Support participants in navigating services such as primary care, behavioral health, substance use treatment, housing, and benefits enrollment.

· Provide appointment reminders, accompany clients to appointments as needed, and assist in reducing barriers to care.

· Document outreach encounters, service linkages, and follow-ups using standardized forms or electronic health records.

· Collaborate with care teams to develop and implement person-centered service plans.

· Participate in multidisciplinary case conferences to discuss client progress and emerging needs.

· Educate clients on health and wellness topics, treatment adherence, and harm avoidance strategies.

· Assist in the distribution of educational materials, personal care supplies, and health-related resources during outreach.

· Maintain confidentiality and adhere to HIPAA and organizational compliance protocols.

· Participate in all required training, including trauma-informed care, motivational interviewing, overdose prevention, and crisis de-escalation.

· Build rapport and maintain a positive presence in target communities, fostering a nonjudgmental and welcoming environment.

· Act as a role model by demonstrating healthy coping mechanisms and sustained engagement in wellness or recovery pathways.

REQUIREMENTS:

· High school diploma or equivalent required.

· Lived experience with recovery, homelessness, HIV, behavioral health, or justice involvement preferred.

· Completion of or willingness to complete Peer Recovery Training and/or certification.

· Strong communication and interpersonal skills; ability to engage diverse populations.

· Experience working in community-based, field, or outreach settings preferred.

· Ability to work independently and within a team structure in fast-paced, changing environments.

· Proficiency in using smartphones, tablets, or basic documentation tools.

· Must be comfortable with field work in various weather and neighborhood conditions.

· Bilingual (English/Spanish) strongly preferred.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

Please indicate which level of activity best describes the position (check only one):

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Sedentary Work (equivalent to lifting or exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally or a negligible amount of force frequently to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time but may occasional walking or standing for brief periods of time).

Light Work (equivalent to lifting or exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally or up to 10 pounds of force frequently, or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects. Physical demand requirements are in excess of those for Sedentary Work).

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Medium Work (involves exerting 20 to 50 pounds of force occasionally or 10 to 25 pounds of force frequently. Physical demand requirements are in excess of these for Light Work).

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Heavy Work (involves exerting 50 to 100 pounds of force occasionally, or 25 to 50 pounds of force frequently. Physical demand requirements are in excess of those for Medium Work).

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Very Heavy Work (involves exerting in excess of 100 pounds of force occasionally, or in excess of 50 pounds of force. Physical demand requirements are in excess of those for Heavy Work).

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Please indicate the level of physical activity required in each area for the position. Check only one box for each requirement:

Requirement

Almost

Never

Seldom

Sometimes

Frequently

Almost Always

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Climbing

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Typing

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Lifting

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Reaching

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Pushing

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Crouching

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Extended walking

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Extended standing

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Extended siting

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WORK LOCATION:

The work location(s) required of incumbents in this position are as follows (check only one):

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All work is completed in the office/ within the program.

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Majority of work is completed in the office/program, with occasional trips to the community/other sites.

Work is completed equally in the office/program and in the community/other sites.

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All work is completed in the community/other sites, with the exception of required meetings.

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Majority of work is completed in the community/other sites, with occasional work done in the office/program.

WORK HOURS:

The work hours for this position are as follows (check all that apply):

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May require work outside of standard work hours (evenings and weekends).

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On-call as required.

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Overtime may be required.

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Position subject to possible mandation.

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WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Incumbents in this position are exposed to the following environmental condition(s):

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Not substantially exposed to adverse environmental conditions.

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Subject to infectious waste (typical of most patient care/housekeeping positions).

Subject to outside environmental conditions.

Subject to inside environmental conditions.

Subject to both environment conditions (work occurs inside and outside).

Subject to extreme heat (temps above 80 degrees Fahrenheit).

Subject to extreme cold (temps below 32 degrees Fahrenheit).

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Subject to extreme noise (noise must be sufficient to cause shouting in order to be heard over ambient noise level) .

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Subject to extreme vibrations (exposure to oscillating movements of the extremities of the whole body).

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Subject to work hazards (ex: moving mechanical parts, electrical current, scaffolding in high places).

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Subject to one or more condition that affects the respiratory system or skin (fumes, gas, dust, odors)

SUPERVISION RECEIVED:

Please indicate which level of supervision is required for this position (check only one):

Close Supervision (provided with daily oversight of work day-to-day tasks, methods and functions. There are regular checks of tasks for quality and quantity of work.Employee performs a variety of routine duties within established policies and procedures or by referring to the written guidelines. Any deviation is reviewed by the supervisor).

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Routine Supervision (provided with instructions on job requirements, methods, priorities and deadlines. Advice and assistance are provided as needed. There are regular and systematic reviews of progress, quality and output, usually at discrete times, but occasionally only upon completion).

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General Supervision (provided with general instructions on an ongoing basis, usually covering only the broad aspects of the job. Incumbents exercise some control over both the technical and administrative aspects of work.Decision-making is limited in context to the completion of work tasks. Completed work is consistent with established guidelines, policies and procedures).

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Limited Supervision (provided with clear statements of objectives and resources available. Oversight by the supervisor is only exercised on longer term goals and policy issues. Completed work is reviewed for compliance with laws and regulations, and adherence to program goals, objectives, budgetary limitations and general employer policies. This level is common among most mid-level managers).

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Broad Supervision (provided with broad objectives and have broad responsibility for planning, organizing and prioritizing work.Employee exercises independent decision-making authority for determining work objectives and goals to be accomplished, independently plans, designs and carries out programs, projects in accordance with broad policy statements or legal requirements. This level is common among senior management).

Acknowledgment of Job Description

This will acknowledge that I have received, reviewed and understand the above job description and will discuss with my supervisor if I have any questions. I further acknowledge that I am capable of performing the essential functions of the job, with or without reasonable accommodation. I understand and agree that nothing in this job description is binding and the organization remains free to change the duties and responsibilities of the above described job at any time, without notice, and at its discretion. I further understand and agree that nothing in this job description changes my status as an at-will employee, meaning that either the organization or I can terminate our employment relationship at any time, with or without cause or notice.

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Employee Name (Print) Employee Signature Date