Forensic Peer Specialist - Residential Services

The Bridge; New York (NY); On-site; USD 42,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

The Bridge in New York seeks a Forensic Peer Specialist to support individuals navigating mental health and substance use services. You will enroll clients in essential services, assist with appointments, and help access benefits and medical care using your lived experience with mental illness and the criminal justice system.

You will provide crisis intervention, daily living support, and group facilitation, with documentation to required standards.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma and Peer Advocacy Certification.
• Lived experience with mental illness and involvement with the Criminal Justice System; Peer Advocacy preferred.
• Experience with mental health/forensic populations and crisis intervention.
• Strong time management, stress-resistance, and flexibility in a team.
• Willingness to perform CPR, First Aid, AED, CPI, and Naloxone.
• Spanish bilingual is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Provide restorative services and daily living assistance (cooking, cleaning, shopping, hygiene).
• Support clients with travel, medication, symptom and money management, and self-advocacy.
• Educate on medication usage and monitor adherence per OMH regulations.
• Escort clients to appointments using public transportation for benefits and care.
• Complete timely documentation of client interactions per standards.
• Co-facilitate wellness and housing stability groups.
• Provide crisis intervention to ensure client safety and well-being.
• Conduct apartment inspections as requested, using stairs to access floors.
• Maintain an alert, supportive environment in 24-hour supervised settings; attend trainings.

Skills

Crisis intervention

Time management

Team collaboration

Client advocacy

Education

High School Diploma

Peer Advocacy Certification

Forensic Peer Specialist certification

Tools

AWARDS software

Job description

Description

The Bridge offers supportive housing and behavioral health services to vulnerable New Yorkers facing behavioral health and substance use challenges. We provide individuals with the tools they need to pursue their dreams and live meaningful lives. The Bridge envisions a world where adults experiencing serious mental illness can live and thrive within their communities. As a recognized leader in developing and operating supportive housing and community-based programs, The Bridge has 70 years of experience helping New Yorkers with mental illness, including those affected by homelessness, incarceration, and institutionalization.

Scope of Position:

As a Forensic Peer Specialist, you will play a vital role in supporting individuals navigating the complexities of mental health and substance abuse services. Under the guidance of the Program Director, you will engage and enroll clients in essential services, ensuring they receive the care they need. Your lived experience with mental health challenges and the criminal justice system will empower you to connect authentically with clients, providing them with support during appointments and helping them access benefits and medical care. If you’re ready to turn your personal journey into a powerful advocacy tool, we invite you to join our team and help others on their path to recovery.

Essential Position Functions

• Provide restorative services and assistance with daily living activities, including cooking, cleaning, shopping, and personal hygiene.
• Support clients with travel, medication management, symptom management, money management, and self-advocacy.
• Educate clients on medication usage and monitor adherence in compliance with OMH regulations.
• Escort clients to community appointments using public transportation for benefits, medical care, and other needs.
• Complete timely documentation of client interactions, ensuring compliance with agency and regulatory standards.
• Co-facilitate support groups focused on wellness, leadership, housing stability, and healthy decision-making.
• Provide crisis intervention and support as needed to ensure client safety and well-being.
• Conduct apartment inspections as requested, utilizing stairs to access multiple floors.
• Maintain an alert and supportive environment for clients in 24-hour supervised settings, attending staff meetings and trainings as required.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma and Peer Advocacy Certification.
• The Forensic Peer Specialist will have had lived experience with a mental illness diagnosis and involvement in the Criminal Justice System; completion of a Peer Advocacy Program is preferred.
• Experience working with mental health and forensic populations, including crisis intervention and managing trauma-triggered behavior.
• Strong time management skills and the ability to remain stress-resistant and flexible in a team-oriented environment.
• Open to feedback and able to demonstrate creativity and excellent organizational skills.
• Willingness to perform CPR, First Aid, AED, CPI, and Naloxone administration.
• Preferred knowledge of AWARDS software.
• Full-time position, 35 hours per week, with a variable schedule that may include weekends.
• Bilingual in Spanish is a plus.

The Bridge Inc. is an Affir