JAIL DIVERSION PEER SUPPORT

Jimmy Jazz; Gloucester Point (VA); On-site; USD 36,000 - 45,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Insurance

PTO & Holidays

Retirement Plan

Job summary

Middle Peninsula Northern Neck Behavioral Health (MPNN BH) seeks a Jail Diversion Peer Specialist to provide peer-based support and guidance to individuals with mental health and co-occurring needs involved with the criminal justice system. The role leverages lived experience to engage participants and promote recovery, alongside BH staff and community partners.

The position emphasizes collaboration with law enforcement and courts to reduce jail involvement, support diversion planning, and

Qualifications

• Lived experience with mental health or justice system involvement.
• Strong communication, advocacy, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work effectively in multidisciplinary teams.
• Travel: occasional travel within the 10 counties served by MPNN BH

Responsibilities

• Provide peer-based support, advocacy, and mentoring to Jail Diversion program participants.
• Establish trusting relationships and model recovery-oriented practices.
• Assist participants in navigating behavioral health services, housing, employment, and community supports.
• Actively engage with a target population of at least 28 individuals during the FY26 period.
• Collaborate with law enforcement, courts, probation officers, and partners to identify and divert eligible individuals from incarceration.
• Maintain accurate records and contribute to quarterly and annual reports.
• Attend team meetings, case reviews, and training sessions as required.

Skills

Strong communication

Advocacy

Interpersonal skills

Teamwork

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Job description

Show Map

• Location 9228 George Washington Memorial Hwy.,Gloucester, VA, 23061,United States
• Base Pay $40,525.00 - $40,525.00 / Year
• Relocation Expense Covered No
• Employee Type Regular Full Time
• Required Degree High school
• Manage Others No

• Name HUMAN RESOURCES
• Phone [phone]
• Email [e-mail]

About Middle Peninsula Northern Neck Behavioral Health (MPNN BH)

Connecting people to developmental and behavioral health services to create opportunities for healing, growth, and recovery.

Our organization provides services designed to help members of our community achieve their individual goals. MPNN BH has over 60 distinct programs to aid and support all ages and many situations.

Job Summary

The Jail Diversion Peer Specialist provides direct support to individuals with mental health and co-occurring needs involved with the criminal justice system. This position is a peer-based role, leveraging lived experience with behavioral health or justice system involvement to engage, support, and guide participants through diversion services. The Peer Specialist works collaboratively with BH staff, law enforcement, and community partners to reduce jail involvement and promote recovery, stabilization, and connection to community-based supports.

Job Responsibilities

• Participant Engagement & Support

Provide peer-based support, advocacy, and mentoring to participants referred through the Jail Diversion Program.

Establish trusting relationships and model recovery-oriented practices.

Assist participants in navigating behavioral health services, housing, employment, and other community supports.

• Jail Diversion Services

Actively engage with a target population of at least 28 individuals during the FY26 performance period.

Collaborate with law enforcement, courts, probation officers, and other partners to identify and divert eligible individuals from incarceration.

Participate in pre-booking, post-booking, and community-based diversion planning as appropriate.

• Documentation & Reporting

Maintain accurate, timely records in compliance with CSB policies and DBHDS reporting requirements.

Support preparation of quarterly and annual narrative and finance reports per grant deadlines.

Attend team meetings, case reviews, and training sessions as required.

Work closely with BH staff, regional partners, and community agencies to ensure continuity of care.

Participate in quality improvement activities and program evaluation initiatives.

• Professional Development & Compliance

Maintain knowledge of behavioral health, criminal justice, and peer support best practices.

Comply with all relevant DBHDS, CSB, and grant requirements.

Other Duties, as assigned

Requirements

• Must pass all required Background Checks.
• Must possess a valid Virginia Driver's License with reliable transportation and driving record acceptable to agency insurance carrier.
• Must obtain a TB test with satisfactory results within 30 days of employment, and yearly thereafter as required by licensing authority.

Education

• High school diploma or equivalent; additional training in behavioral health, peer support, or social services preferred.

Experience

• Lived experience with mental health or justice system involvement.
• Strong communication, advocacy, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work effectively in multidisciplinary.
• Strong communication, advocacy, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work effectively in multidisciplinary
• Travel: Requires occasional travel within the 10 counties MPNN BH serves, which may include driving a vehicle.

Summary

Benefits include:

• Comprehensive benefits package including health, dental, and vision insurance (TLC Anthem BCBS)
• Generous paid time off and holiday pay (12+ paid holidays, PTO accrued monthly)
• Retirement plan through Virginia Retirement System (VRS)

The agency of MPNN Behavioral Health maintains a drug free workplace.

Benefits listed are for full time qualifying employees. EOE