Forensic Peer Specialist

People USA

Posted 3 months ago

Full Time

Glens Falls, New York

In Person

Smart Summary

Responsibilities

Provide peer-based support and advocacy for individuals in the criminal justice system to facilitate successful reentry and community integration. Coordinate with jails, courts, and community agencies to connect clients with housing, employment, and behavioral health services.

Qualifications

You have a high school diploma or equivalent and possess lived experience with recovery, reentry, or criminal justice involvement. You are able to obtain a Certified Recovery Peer Advocate (CRPA) certification and have experience in behavioral health or criminal justice settings.

Must Have Skills for ATS

Certified Recovery Peer Advocate (CRPA)

Behavioral health

Substance use

Criminal justice settings

Communication skills

Engagement skills

Driver's license

Job Description

Organization: People USA

Job Title: Forensic Peer Specialist

Location: Warren and Washington Counties, NY

Work Schedule: Tuesday - Saturday 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM

Pay Rate: $21.63 per hour

  Position Summary & Responsibilities: The Warren/Washington Forensic Peer Specialist will provide peer-based support, engagement, and advocacy for individuals involved in the criminal justice system, support successful reentry, recovery, and community integration, utilize lived experience to build trust and connect individuals to services (housing, employment, behavioral health), work with local jails, courts, and community providers to ensure continuity of care throughout Warren and Washington Counties for field-based and community.   Job Duties & Responsibilities:    Peer Support & Reentry Services
  • Provide direct peer support to individuals involved in or transitioning from the criminal justice system.
  • Conduct outreach and engagement within local jails to support reentry planning.
  • Assist with development of reentry plans focused on stability and long-term success.
  • Offer mentorship, encouragement, and recovery support using lived experience.
Housing & Resource Navigation
  • Support individuals connected to housing programs (supportive housing, emergency placements).
  • Assist with navigating housing systems and securing stable housing.
  • Help obtain necessary documentation and meet housing requirements.
Workforce Development & Employment Support
  • Assist individuals in identifying employment and career goals.
  • Provide job readiness support (resumes, interviews, workplace expectations).
  • Connect individuals to workforce programs, vocational training, and education.
Transportation & Access to Services
  • Assist with transportation to appointments, employment, court, and essential services.
  • Coordinate with community resources to reduce transportation barriers.
Community & Social Engagement
  • Connect individuals to community, recreational, and peer-led activities.
  • Encourage participation in recovery and wellness-based supports.
  • Promote social connection and reduce isolation.
  Collaboration
  • Work with jails, probation, courts, and community providers for coordinated care.
  • Partner with housing, workforce, and behavioral health agencies.
  • Maintain communication with internal teams and supervisors.
Documentation & Reporting
  • Document all peer interactions, outreach, and service connections.
  • Maintain accurate and timely records in accordance with agency standards.
  • Track outcomes related to housing, employment, and reentry.
Job Qualifications/Requirements:
  • High School Diploma or equivalent required; Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree preferred.
  • Certified Recovery Peer Advocate (CRPA) or ability to obtain within required timeframe.
  • Lived experience with recovery, reentry, or criminal justice involvement strongly preferred.
  • Experience in behavioral health, substance use, or criminal justice settings preferred.
  • Strong communication and engagement skills.
  • Ability to build rapport and maintain professional boundaries.
  • Clean and valid driver’s license and ability to travel throughout Warren and Washington Counties.
  • Ability to work a flexible schedule, including evenings and weekends
  Reports to: Warren and Washington Rose House Manager

People USA

People USA is a peer-run mental health nonprofit that creates, provides, and promotes its own innovative crisis response and wellness services. Being “peer-run” means that all our services are developed and operated by people who have personally overcome mental health issues, addiction, or trauma. This makes us a valuable addition and alternative to the traditional behavioral health care system. People USA’s unique, peer-led models are proven to significantly reduce hospital utilization, incarceration rates, and overall healthcare spending. Most importantly, they are built on an unbreakable foundation of customer engagement, comfortable environments, empathy, and positive expectations for people’s futures. We make Recovery the Expectation. We change the conversation from illness to Wellness. Because of our successes, our unique models and approaches have been studied and replicated across the United States & Europe. Our mission is to educate, support, and empower people and communities to understand, manage, and overcome mental health, addiction, and social determinant of health challenges.
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