Peer Generalist

People USA; City of Poughkeepsie (NY); On-site; USD 44,000 - 59,000; Full time

Job summary

People USA in Poughkeepsie, NY, is seeking a Peer Generalist to support the Peer Navigation program with trauma-informed, peer-led services for individuals in need.

The role emphasizes crisis de-escalation, advocacy, and coordination of services, along with compliant documentation. Monday–Friday, 9 AM to 5 PM; standard schedule possible.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or equivalent plus 3 years direct support experience.
• New York State Peer Specialist Certification within 6 months of hire.

Responsibilities

• Accompany participants to hearings, appointments, and housing reviews to defend rights.
• Teach participants about government assistance, tenant rights, and mental health self-determination.
• De-escalate crises using trauma-informed care and peer-support frameworks.
• Identify additional community resources when mainstream systems are unavailable.
• Build self-advocacy skills so participants navigate systems independently.
• Lead participant-led programming and ensure values-driven, trauma-informed care.

Skills

Trauma-informed care

Harm reduction

Peer support

Communication

Boundary management

Crisis de-escalation

Self-directed

Education

High School Diploma or equivalent

New York State Peer Specialist Certification

Job description

Organization: PEOPLE- USA

Job Title: Peer Generalist

Hourly Rate: $24.75 per hour Status: Full-time (40 hours per week)

Location: Poughkeepsie, NY

Total Hours: 40 Hours Per Week, Monday - Friday 9 AM to 5 PM

(Standardized alternative schedule can be discussed within general typical work hours)

Position Summary

People USA will provide Dutchess/Ulster County with a Peer Generalist, who will support the functions of the Peer Navigation program in providing services to those in need. The Peer Navigation program provides site based, community-based, flexible, and sustained interventions for individuals who have frequently experienced acute distress, repeated emergency room visits and/ or hospitalizations, and for whom traditional programs of care have been ineffective. Using a peer-led, person-first, trauma informed approach, the peer model focuses on addressing participants’ immediate needs, building trust, and strengthening family and social networks to support long-term recovery. The Peer Generalist will practice relationship-centered, participant-driven services, will be a resource and advocate for participants, will coordinate integration of services with other programs, maintain compliance with program requirements, and support a healthy, collaborative team environment. This role requires strong skills in being self-directed to complete tasks, decision-making, and crisis de-escalation. The role also requires lived experience and uses personal lived experience to foster self-advocacy and systemic navigation. The Peer Generalist will be committed to peer values and flexible care coordination without traditional limits on time or setting.

Job Duties & Responsibilities

• Systemic Advocacy: Accompanied participants to hearings, social services appointments, and housing reviews to defend their rights.
• Rights Education: Teaches participants about available government assistance, tenant rights, and mental health self-determination.
• Crisis Mediation: De-escalates acute situations using trauma-informed care and peer-support frameworks.
• Resource Connection: Identifies non-traditional community resources when mainstream systems reject the participant.
• Empowerment Coaching: Builds self-advocacy skills so participants can eventually navigate systems independently.
• Group and participant programming focused on participant-led engagement
• Ensure the approach remains Values driven, peer-led, person-first, trauma informed, and relationship-centered.
• Documentation, Reporting & Compliance
• Ensure completion of accurate, timely documentation, including progress notes, reports, and program data.
• Maintain compliance with agency policies and state/regulatory standards.
• Represent the agency and program at internal meetings, community events, and collaborative workgroups.
• Assist with the oversight, expansion, and continuous improvement of program operations.
• Perform additional duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or equivalent + 3 years of experience providing direct support to individuals with disabilities or psychiatric diagnoses or case management work.
• Must obtain New York State Peer Specialist Certification within 6 months of hire through People-USA system.
• Demonstrated knowledge of trauma-informed care, harm reduction, and strengths-based approaches.
• Strong understanding of recovery principles, peer support models, and employment services.
• Lived experience with mental health and/or substance use recovery is strongly encouraged.
• Exceptional communication and boundary management.
• Familiarity with ADA, mental health systems, Social Security benefits, and community services.
• Must have a clean and valid driver's license and have your own transportation.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bilingual (English/Spanish)
• At least 2 years of advocacy experience.
• Lived experience with comfort in appropriate self-disclosure.
• Experience working within non-traditional service models or with individuals who have frequent crisis-service utilization.
• Experience facilitating support groups, networking groups, or family-engagement meetings.
• Familiarity with local behavioral health resources, social services, and community supports.

Reports to – Director of Peer Navigation