Peer Specialist (Hourly) (Bronx)

The Office of Addiction Services and Supports; New York (NY); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

The Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS) in New York seeks a certified recovery peer advocate to support individuals by modeling recovery, providing advocacy, and coordinating services.

You will help clients identify coping skills, connect to housing, education, medical resources, and participate in treatment planning. The role emphasizes trauma‑informed care, safety, and community integration.

Qualifications

• Current CRPA certification or CRPA-Provisional by NY Certification Board is required.
• Medication assisted treatment training of at least 4 hours.
• Background checks and safeguarding clearances may be required.

Responsibilities

• Serves as role model and delivers advocacy and support services to individuals.
• Assists individuals in identifying coping and crisis management skills.
• Interacts as a peer and helps identify areas needing support.
• Organizes self-help groups, teaches techniques, and builds support networks.
• Supports treatment planning and daily living, educational, social, and vocational goals.

Skills

advocacy

peer support

crisis management

community resources navigation

Education

CRPA certification

Job description

Description

• Serves as a role model and provides advocacy and support services to individuals.
• Assists individuals in identifying, developing, and practicing personalized coping and crisis management skills to deal with their psychiatric symptoms.
• Interacts with individuals as a peer and shares common experiences; and assists individuals in identifying areas in which they need support.
• Organizes and facilitates self-help groups and activities; teaches self-help techniques and group process skills; and facilitates the establishment of peer, natural, and social support networks.
• Helps individuals carry out tasks defined in their treatment plans, and actively participate in their treatment planning process.
• Instructs and assists individuals in identifying or clarifying rehabilitation and recovery goals, and in developing daily living, educational, social, vocational, and other skills for empowerment and successful community living.
• Assists individuals in understanding and obtaining access to available community resources and benefits; provides information; and links individuals to essential supports, such as legal, housing, education, medical, and financial services.
• Advocates for the needs of individuals; and provides education and training on their perspectives to other mental health and human service providers.
• Serves as coordinator of alumni program.
• Transporting patients as needed.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

Current certification as a Certified Recovery Peer Advocate (CRPA) or CRPA-Provisional by the New York Certification Board; and four or more hours of medication assisted treatment training.

Additional Comments

Prospective appointees will be: 1) Checked against the Staff Exclusion List (SEL) maintained by the Justice Center for the Protection of People with Special Needs. Prospective employees whose names appear on the SEL as having been found responsible for serious or repeated acts of abuse or neglect will be barred from appointment and may have their names removed from the eligible list(s) for the title(s) if applicable.

2) Investigated through a Criminal Background Check (CBC) that includes State and federal Criminal History Record Checks. All convictions must be reported; conviction of a felony or misdemeanor, or any falsified or omitted information on the prospective appointee’s employment application may bar appointment or result in removal after appointment. Each case will be determined on its own merits, consistent with the applicable provisions of State and federal laws, rules, and regulations. Prospective employees will be fingerprinted in order to obtain a record of their criminal history information and may be required to pay any necessary fees.

3) Screened against the Statewide Central Register of Child Abuse and Maltreatment (SCR). Prospective employees may be required to pay any necessary fees. Additionally, prospective employees whose names are indicated on the SCR may be barred from appointment.

The mission of the New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS) is to provide, support, and oversee a data-driven continuum of addiction services delivered with equity, dignity, compassion, and respect. OASAS and the Division of Addiction Treatment Centers (ATCs) are committed to establishing environments of safety and non-violence in keeping with the trauma informed Sanctuary Model. The standards and duties for each are to be performed in support of Sanctuary Model commitments to non-violence, emotional intelligence, democracy, open communication, social responsibility, social learning, and growth & change.

OASAS Addiction Treatment Centers are Tobacco Free Facilities.