Peer Specialist - OASAS Program

AIDS Center of Queens County, Inc.; New York (NY); Presencial; USD 42.000 - 56.000; Jornada completa

Ventajas ofrecidas por este puesto de trabajo

medical

dental

vision

retirement

paid time off

commuter benefits

Descripción de la vacante

ACQC in Queens is seeking a Peer Specialist to join the Street Outreach team. You will draw on lived experience with addiction to conduct daily outreach, educate clients, and help them access essential services with compassionate, non-judgmental support.

The role is full-time, based in Richmond Hill, Queens, offering harm-reduction education, continuum of care, and collaborative hand-offs with case managers. Bilingual English/Spanish and CRPA or CPRA training are assets.

Formación

• Lived or living experience with substance use, recovery, or harm reduction required.
• CRPA certification preferred or willingness to complete CPRA training.
• Experience working with PWUD or marginalized communities.
• Strong interpersonal skills, empathy, and reliability.
• Bilingual preferred – English/Spanish.
• Must convey sensitivity in a non-judgmental manner.

Responsabilidades

• Conduct daily outreach in assigned neighborhoods as part of the rotating team schedule.
• Engage individuals using peer-based, trauma-informed approaches.
• Provide overdose prevention education, naloxone distribution, and safer-use education.
• Share lived experience in a professional, supportive manner to build rapport.
• Accompany clients to appointments and support linkage to services.
• Offer emotional support, navigation, and encouragement to maintain engagement in care.
• Distribute safer use kits and other harm reduction supplies.
• Provide clients with education on safer practices and resources.
• Record outreach encounters and supply distribution in the agency database.
• Work with Outreach Specialist and Case Manager for warm hand-offs.
• Participate in Peer Recovery Support training and ACQC trainings.
• Other duties as assigned by the Program Supervisor or Harm Reduction Manager

Conocimientos

Lived experience

Interpersonal skills

Empathy

Reliability

Educación

CRPA certification

CPRA training

Descripción del empleo

Company Overview

Since 1986, the AIDS Center of Queens County (ACQC) has grown to become the largest provider of HIV/AIDS services in the borough of Queens, serving over 10,000 clients and 30,000 community residents across three sites. Our mission is to enhance the quality of life for individuals and families living with or at risk for HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis C, and other chronic conditions. We are committed to providing comprehensive healthcare and social support services at no cost to our clients.

Position Summary

Peer Specialists are essential members of the Office of Addiction Services and Support (OASAS) Street Outreach team. Drawing from lived experience with substance use, recovery, or harm reduction, Peer Specialists conduct outreach, build trust, provide education, and assist clients with navigating services. This role emphasizes non-judgmental support, engagement, and empowerment.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct daily outreach in assigned neighborhoods as part of the rotating team schedule.
• Engage individuals using peer-based, trauma-informed approaches.
• Provide overdose prevention education, naloxone distribution, and safer-use/safe-sex education.
• Share lived experience in a professional, supportive manner to build rapport.
• Accompany clients to appointments and support linkage to services.
• Offer emotional support, navigation, and encouragement to maintain engagement in care.
• Distribute safer use kits, wound-care kits, fentanyl/xylazine test strips, and other harm reduction supplies.
• Provide clients with clear education on safer practices and available resources.
• Record outreach encounters and supply distribution in the agency database.
• Work collaboratively with Outreach Specialist and Case Manager to provide warm hand-offs.
• Participate in Peer Recovery Support training and ongoing ACQC annual trainings.
• Other duties as assigned by the Program Supervisor or Harm Reduction Manager

Qualifications

• Lived or living experience with substance use, recovery, or harm reduction required.
• Certified Recovery Peer Advocate (CRPA) certification preferred or willingness to complete CPRA training.
• Experience working with people who use drugs (PWUD) or marginalized communities.
• Strong interpersonal skills, empathy, and reliability.
• Bilingual preferred – English/Spanish
• Must be able to convey sensitivity in a non-judgmental manner.

The Peer Specialist position is a full-time, non-exempt position, based in Richmond Hill, Queens.

As part of the OASAS Street Outreach Team, this position offers the opportunity to make a meaningful impact by engaging with vulnerable populations, promoting health education, and connecting individuals to essential services. ACQC offers rewarding work in a collegial environment, and comprehensive benefits.

• medical
• dental
• vision
• retirement
• paid time off
• commuter benefits

ACQC provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.