Peer Recovery Specialist

Fortune Society; New York (NY); On-site; USD 42,000 - 47,000; Full time

Job summary

The Fortune Society is seeking a Peer Recovery Specialist in New York, focusing on supporting individuals with substance use disorders. This full-time position facilitates access to resources and promotes recovery, requiring strong interpersonal skills and relevant certifications.

As a Peer Recovery Specialist, the role emphasizes compassion and effective communication, assisting clients in navigating their recovery process to achieve stability. Join a dedicated team committed to making a difference in clients' lives.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED.
• Certification as a Certified Recovery Peer Advocate (CRPA).
• Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor Trainee (CASAC-T).
• Ability to work under strict confidentiality.
• Knowledgeable in Motivational Interviewing and Trauma-Informed techniques.

Responsibilities

• Provide non-clinical crisis support after hospitalization or incarceration.
• Build meaningful connections fostering trust and confidence.
• Assist individuals in defining their treatment and recovery plans.
• Engage individuals during critical points of vulnerability.
• Connect clients to formal recovery supports.

Skills

Crisis support

Engagement

Knowledge of recovery resources

Bilingual in Spanish

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Certification as a Certified Recovery Peer Advocate (CRPA)

Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor Trainee (CASAC-T)

Job description

Title: Peer Recovery Specialist

Unit: Scattered Site Housing

Location: Castle Gardens (West Harlem) – 625 West 140th Street, New York, NY 10031

Position Type: Full-Time Non‑Exempt – Day Shift (Monday through Friday, 9:00am to 5:00pm)

Reports to: Program Director/Manager

Salary Range: $23.08 to $25.83 an hour (approximately $42,000 to $47,000 annually)

Organization Overview

The Fortune Society, Inc. (Fortune) has been working for over 57 years to support successful reentry from incarceration and promote alternatives to incarceration, strengthening the fabric of communities. Fortune is a leading reentry and justice‑informed service organization with nearly $90million in annual budget and just under 600 staff. Our dual mission includes advocacy for a more just criminal legal system and a broad range of service programs such as employment, education, substance use treatment, housing (emergency to permanent), benefits assistance, health services, and arts programming. Approximately 14,000 people a year are served, with 85% male and over 90% people of color.

Scope of Work

The Recovery Peer Specialist (RPS) serves as a role model, demonstrating personal recovery and effective coping skills. The RPS provides advocacy, peer support, and resource access to tenants in the Fortune Society’s OASAS‑funded Transitional Safety Unit, especially justice‑impacted individuals managing substance use disorders, and assists clients in securing permanent supportive housing within a 6‑12 month period of stability.

Core Competencies

• Mission and Fit: Embodies Fortune’s mission and values, demonstrating compassion and understanding for participants across the re‑entry process and upholding the core value that none of us should be measured against the worst things we have done.
• Resourceful: Holds strong knowledge of Wellness Recovery resources available through government agencies and nonprofit organizations to support participants during crisis and facilitate referrals.
• Engagement: Uses active listening, empathy, and reflection to engage a diverse client population, building meaningful connections and employing evidence‑informed engagement strategies.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Provide non‑clinical crisis support, especially after hospitalization or incarceration.
• Build meaningful, relationship‑oriented connections that foster trust, confidence, authenticity, and a sense of efficacy through shared experience.
• Assist individuals in defining and directing their own treatment and recovery plans by providing guidance, structure, encouragement, and navigation assistance in collaboration with peer support and the clinical team.
• Engage individuals in a timely and responsive manner during critical points of vulnerability through all stages of the recovery process.
• Support individuals in re‑engaging with appropriate services and supports when substance use recurs.
• Assist clients with attending treatment appointments and accessing other healthcare services.
• Assist in the development of individualized treatment and recovery plans.
• Accompany clients to court appearances, medical appointments, and other necessary appointments as needed.
• Connect clients to formal recovery supports that promote ongoing stability and wellness.
• Provide travel training to use public transportation independently.
• Offer education and support regarding the use of Medication‑Assisted Treatment (MAT) as part of an individual’s recovery process.
• Assemble clients’ clinical charts and ensure progress notes and other vital information are accurately filed and maintained.
• Establish and maintain relationships with community‑based organizations, social service providers, and support networks.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or General Equivalency Diploma (GED).
• Certification as a Certified Recovery Peer Advocate (CRPA).
• Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor Trainee (CASAC‑T).
• Ability to work under strict confidentiality and promote HIPAA laws.
• Receptive to constructive feedback and supervision for development.
• Knowledgeable in Motivational Interviewing and Trauma‑Informed techniques.
• Must be able to network in partnership with other agencies to ensure tenants receive the best possible services for overall wellbeing.
• Bilingual in Spanish a plus.

Other Requirements

Travel Requirements: Weekly on‑site availability and travel to various Fortune housing and program locations.

Physical Demands

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The Fortune Society is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will be afforded equal employment opportunities without discrimination because of conviction history, race, religion/creed, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, military status, genetic characteristics, victim of domestic violence status, or marital status.