Certified Peer Navigator

Job Details: Job Location: Long Island City - Long Island City, NY, Position Type: Full-Time Non-Exempt, Salary Range: $30.22 - $30.22Hourly, Title: Certified Peer Navigator (CRPA) - Day Shift 

Unit: Behavioral Health 

Reports to: Behavioral Health Field Supervisor 

Status: Full-Time; Regular; Non-Exempt 

Salary: $30.22 Per Hour (Approximately $55,000 Annually)

Location: Brooklyn, NY 

Days/Hours: Wednesday – Sunday, 10:00am – 6:00pm 

This position is represented by OPEIU Local 153

Organization Overview: 

The Fortune Society, Inc. (Fortune) has been working for over 57 years in service to our mission: to support successful reentry from incarceration and promote alternatives to incarceration, thus strengthening the fabric of our communities. The organization has evolved into one of the nation’s preeminent reentry and justice-informed service organizations, providing formerly incarcerated people with the skills and wrap-around services needed to break the cycle of crime and incarceration and to build productive lives in their communities.  

Fortune has grown steadily over the years to an agency with over $90 million in annual budget with approximately 600 staff. We anticipate that we will keep growing, both in size and depth of service. Fortune has a dual mission: both advocacy and service. The advocacy portion of our mission focuses on building a more just criminal legal system and reducing the barriers to reentry into society. The service side of Fortune has evolved to encompass a broad range of programs that started with employment and education and now includes a robust array of services, among them: alternatives to incarceration, supervised release, court advocacy, discharge planning within correctional facilities, licensed substance use and mental health treatment, a housing continuum ranging from emergency and transitional through permanent congregate and scattered site housing, assistance in obtaining benefits, a care management unit, HIV services, a food and nutrition program, and an arts program. Each service we provide is informed by the needs of the population we serve. Fortune currently serves approximately 18,000 people a year. Our program models are recognized, both nationally and internationally, for their quality and innovation. We have locations in Brooklyn, Bronx, Manhattan, and Queens. 

Position Summary: 

The Fortune Society, in partnership with Community Healthcare Network (CHN), will provide court and community-based, person-centered, voluntary support for individuals with unmet needs who are released back to the community following arraignment at Brooklyn Criminal Court on Schermerhorn, or from other Brooklyn court parts as requested by court stakeholders. This program will operate from Wednesday – Sunday, 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM to accommodate both the heaviest court day parts and the after-hours periods when there are fewer resources available in the Brooklyn court area. The day shift CRPA will work from 10:00 AM – 6 PM. 

The program’s structure will require in-court collaboration between Fortune’s court advocates, peer navigators, and court stakeholders, as well as a direct connection to the clinical professionals on the mobile medical unit (MMU), which will be operated by CHN. The Certified Peer Recovery Advocate (CRPA) will serve a critical role in this initiative. This position will engage participants in initial screenings and assessments, identify medical, mental, and social determinants of health needs, and work with the care manager to determine whether individuals need a rapid connection to the clinical team on the MMU, or a higher level of care. Peer engagement strategies may also include accompaniment to hospitals/detox facilities/pharmacies, arranging transportation to needed services, and/or providing immediate resources such as food, clothing, etc. 

Core Competencies

Mission and Fit: 

The ideal candidate will embody Fortune’s mission and values and will be an effective member of the team in furthering both. The candidate should exhibit compassion and understanding for our participants (wherever they are in their re-entry or recovery process) and embrace Fortune’s core value that none of us should be measured against the worst things we have done. 

Communications Skills & Networking: 

The ideal candidate will have strong networking capabilities and a repository of community resources to share with interested individuals. The candidate will also have the ability to work in a fast-paced environment with competing priorities, and a penchant for solutions-based thinking to assist with service connectivity for individuals with varied, and often competing, immediate needs. 

Adaptability: 

The ideal candidate will have a proficiency for multitasking and thinking outside of the box as this position requires rapid needs analysis and immediate service connectivity.   

Duties and Responsibilities: 

Work with defense attorneys and other court stakeholders to screen and engage individuals coming out of the arraignment courts who may have immediate medical or mental health needs; 

Complete baseline needs assessments on-site and coordinate with the Fortune care manager and/or MMU clinical team to determine the immediate level of care required;  

Obtain consents for service, check insurance status and gather baseline demographic information to be shared with care team; 

Identify whether the individual requires additional supportive services such as medication assistance/linkage to ongoing healthcare, connections to detox or other rehabilitative services, food pantry assistance, or housing screenings, and ensuring those connections/referrals are made;   

Provide escorts to emergency services as needed; Coordinate with service providers to facilitate, follow-up, and assist participants with voluntary service referrals and engagement; 

Complete all necessary documentation and input data into case management database in a timely manner; 

Encourage and support full engagement in services, providing outreach and assistance in overcoming barriers to treatment; 

Model and share effective coping strategies; 

Attend and participate in all necessary program meetings, conferences, and trainings; 

Engage in his/her own ongoing professional development;  

May require travel to our other sites across NYC for program oversight, partner meetings, trainings, etc; 

Additional responsibilities as assigned. 

 
Qualifications: Qualifications: 

CRPA, CRPA-P and/or OMH Peer certification required; 

Prior experience working as a peer required; 

Lived experience navigating homelessness, mental health, substance use treatment, and/or criminal legal system a plus; 

Must be available for the duration of the CBHV Program; 

High school diploma or equivalency required; 

Must have a valid Driver’s License; 

Bilingual in Spanish a plus; 

Ability to work a flexible schedule; 

Skills in Microsoft Office and database applications are a plus; 

Ability to work independently and on a team; 

Able to work with people from diverse backgrounds in a culturally competent manner. 

Knowledge of criminal legal system & populations, housing, case management, substance use and addictive behaviors, mental health and criminal legal with clientele; 

Exceptional organizational skills/attention to detail and outstanding project management skills; ability to work efficiently and effectively in a deadline-driven environment, juggling multiply priorities; 

Exceptional strategic thinking ability and the ability to serve as a thought leader within the organization as an integral part of the executive team; 

Strong knowledge of and respect within the service community and related government agencies;

A commitment to the mission of The Fortune Society. 

We seek talented, dedicated individuals from all walks of life who possess a strong commitment to this mission.  Relevant personal experience is a plus. 

Physical Demands:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The responsibilities and requirements listed are representative of the knowledge, skills, minimum education, training, licensing, experience and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job. 

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, citizenship status, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, military status, predisposing genetic characteristics, victim of domestic violence status or marital status.