Peer Specialist, Bronx HOPE

THE ORGANIZATION  
The Center for Justice Innovation (formerly the Center for Court Innovation) is a non-profit organization that works with communities and justice systems to advance equity, increase safety, and help individuals and communities thrive. The Center's goal is to identify and resolve as early as possible the challenges that bring people into the criminal and civil legal systems. It does this in a number of ways—by developing and running programs that reduce the need for incarceration and enhance economic opportunity, conducting original research to identify what works, and sharing what we learn from our programming and research with those seeking to transform the justice system around the world.  

The Center is an 800-employee, $100 million nonprofit that accomplishes its vision through three pillars of work: creating and scaling operating programs to test new ideas and solve problems, performing original research to determine what works (and what doesn’t), and providing expert assistance and policy guidance to justice reformers around the world.  

Operating Programs

The Center’s operating programs, including the award-winning Red Hook Community Justice Center and Midtown Community Justice Center, test new ideas, solve difficult problems, and attempt to achieve systemic change within the justice system. Our projects include community-based violence prevention programs, alternatives to incarceration, reentry initiatives, and court-based initiatives that reduce the use of unnecessary incarceration and promote positive individual and family change. Through this programming, we have produced tangible results like safer streets, reduced incarceration, and improved neighborhood perceptions of justice.  

Research 

The Center's research teams are staffed with social scientists, data analysts, and lawyers who are academically trained or have lived experience and who conduct research in the U.S. and globally on diverse criminal-legal system and justice issues. Their work includes evaluating programs and policies; conducting exploratory, community-based studies; and providing research translation and strategic planning for system actors. The Center has published studies on topics including court and jail reform, intimate partner violence, restorative justice, gun violence, reentry, sixth amendment rights, and progressive prosecution. The research teams strive to make their work meaningful and actionable to the communities they work with, policymakers, and practitioners.  

Policy & Expert Assistance
The Center provides hands-on, planning and implementation assistance to a wide range of jurisdictions in areas of reform such as problem-solving courts (e.g., community courts, treatment courts, domestic violence courts), tribal justice, reducing incarceration and the use of fines/fees and reducing crime and violence. Our current expert assistance takes many forms, including help with analyzing data, strategic planning and consultation, policy guidance, and hosting site visits to its operating programs in the New York City area.  

THE OPPORTUNITY  
Operating within the centralized criminal courthouse, Bronx Community Solutions provides meaningful early diversion, pre-plea and post-conviction sentencing options to participants, in lieu of traditional outcomes. By participating in one of Bronx Community Solutions programs, participants are connected to an array of onsite staff, including social workers, case managers, and group facilitators, with the goal of addressing underlying social service needs and connecting participants to an array of community-based organizations, using the arrest as a window of opportunity to change the direction of an individual’s life and avoid unnecessary incarceration.    

Bronx Community Solutions is seeking a Peer Specialist to provide extensive outreach to program participants and treatment services providers to help coordinate communication and mandated reporting. Reporting to the Bronx HOPE Senior team, the Peer Specialist will work as a community-based peer outreach coach to inform and offer individuals about Bronx HOPE, provide and train how to use Narcan, coordinate the treatment referral process and initial assessment to ensure timely and responsive participant engagement and outcomes.   

Responsibilities include but are not limited to: 

• Respond to precinct- level arrest to meet with potential participants at Bronx Precincts;
• Assess individuals who are arrested for control substance and motivate client to seek treatment, harm reduction, and/or recovery support assistance and collaborate on the development of an initial participant action plan, including a thorough review of substance use-related issues;
• Coordinate and facilitate individual education that is responsive to the specific interests and needs of the individual, which may include a focus on treatment, harm reduction, and/or relapse prevention;
• Contact and coordinate with Bronx DA and BCS (telephone referral service) to facilitate entry into Harm Reduction or substance abuse treatment based on level of care determination;
• Coordinate referrals and follow up, as needed;
• Provide crisis intervention and support to program participants as needed;
• Know how to properly administer, train and educate the community about on how to use Narcan, fentanyl strips and Xylazine strips;
• Work with a diverse population in a mutually respectful manner, using a strengths-based approach;
• Manage and collaborate with appropriate staff to ensure appropriate level of support is provided in efficient manner;
• Adhere to policies and procedures for each service offered by program;
• Accurately and efficiently document every client interaction;
• Provide crisis intervention and support when needed; 
• Ability to participate in community outreach including in person outreach to contact individuals who are referred to the HOPE program;
• Operate company vehicle in the community for community outreach and park in front of precincts for immediate client engagement and drive participants to referred services when needed;
• Help with loading and replenishment of materials needed in the vehicle;
• Complete pre- and post-trip safety and operations checklists and documentation needed within the shift;
• Attend all team meetings, supervision, trainings and perform other administrative duties as needed; and 
• Other appropriate duties as may be assigned. 

Requirements:

• Ability to motivate clients in a courteous, empathic and professional manner;
• Use lived experience and be comfortable serving as a role model of personal recovery to connect with members and support them in their goals;  
• Capacity to facilitate group using the harm reduction framework, recovery and overdose prevention;
• ​​​​​​​Know how to properly administer and train others to administer Narcan; 
• Active listening skills to establish working alliance with clients, staff and stakeholders; 
• Superior communication skills to convey information clearly, accurately, and completely;
• Aptitude to maintain professional demeanor when handling difficult contacts;
• Efficiency with balancing pace and flow of conversation and call time; and
• Strong work ethic, particularly in a team setting.

Qualifications: The ideal candidate will have:

• A high school diploma as well as at least 2 years of relevant experience;
• Must have experience with integrated substance abuse assessment and treatment, motivational interviewing techniques and stage-wise treatment;
• Applicants should be comfortable working collaborating with law enforcement and as part of a team in a collegial group environment;
• Bilingual skills (Spanish/English) preferred;
• Driver’s license and a clean driving record;
• CRPA (Certified Recovery Peer Advocate), Peer Recovery Coach, and or CASAC-T (Certified Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor Trainee) credentials preferred; and
• Knowledge of the principles and practices of harm reduction;

Position Type:  Full-time (Job does include flexible hours and weekend schedule).  The HOPE Program operates 24/7 so shift times may vary.  Shifts may be 8am-4pm, 4pm-12am or 12am-8am.

Position Location: Bronx, NY

Compensation: The compensation range for this position is $27.48 - $31.59 per hour based on a 35-hour work week and is commensurate with experience. The Center for Justice Innovation offers an excellent benefits package including comprehensive healthcare with a national network, free basic dental coverage, vision insurance, short-term and long-term disability, life insurance, and flexible spending accounts including commuter FSA. We prioritize mental health care for our staff and offer services like Talkspace and Ginger through our healthcare plans. We offer a 403(b) retirement plan with a two-to-one employer contribution up to 5%.

The Center for Justice Innovation is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace, and as such, we do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, national origin, age, military service eligibility, veteran status, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, or any other category protected by law. We strongly encourage and welcome applications from women, people of color, members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender communities, as well as individuals with prior contact with the criminal justice system. Our aim is to create a supportive and respectful environment where every individual, irrespective of their background or identity, feels valued and included.

As of February 10, 2023, New York City Executive Order 25 rescinded the requirement of the COVID-19 vaccination for City workers, new hires, and contracted employees. Accordingly, the Center does not require all new hires be vaccinated against the COVID-19 virus; however, the Center recommends all staff, interns, and volunteers stay up-to-date on the vaccination.

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete an employment eligibility verification document form upon hire. Kindly refer to the job posting for the relevant contact information. If the contact details are not provided, we kindly ask that you refrain from making inquiries via phone or email, as only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

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