Peer Specialist

PEER SPECIALIST

QUEENS SUPERVISED RELEASE PROGRAM

Posted: 8/11/2026

CJA's work seeks to reduce jail overcrowding and unnecessary detention in New York City .

Are you a certified Peer Specialist who is interested in assisting program participants in your community?

Are you interested in helping us implement a more person-centered, recovery-oriented, trauma-informed approach?

Would you like to help change the way arrested individuals view the criminal justice system?

Join our team of multi-disciplined professionals!

ABOUT CJA

The New York City Criminal Justice Agency (CJA) is a not-for-profit service and research organization that operates in partnership with the New York City Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice. CJA is the City’s main pretrial services agency, combining operations, pilot projects, and research under one roof. CJA utilizes procedural justice practices to provide pretrial services to over 100,000 persons arrested annually in New York City. Information collected about these arrestees and subsequent case processing is maintained in the agency’s internal and externally shared database systems, which are used to conduct descriptive and evaluation research on arrestee characteristics, case processing and court outcomes, and on issues and potential reforms to criminal justice policy in New York City. CJA’s programs operate in the criminal courts and detention facilities 24 hours a day seven days a week within the 5 boroughs of NYC, employing over 300 employees, citywide.

PROGRAM SUMMARY

CJA operates a Supervised Release Program in Queens Criminal Court. The program, which operates during the day and night court in Queens, screens targeted court-involved individuals for release at criminal court arraignment, subject to specific conditions including maintaining face-to-face and telephone contact with the program, participating in an assessment process to identify needs such as substance use and mental health, and agreeing to program monitoring of court appearances and re-arrests.

This is a great opportunity for a dynamic, knowledgeable individual, experienced in dealing with high-needs populations such as those with mental health diagnoses, at-risk youth, and others with social, emotional, or developmental challenges, who have criminal court involvement.

POSITION SUMMARY

Under the supervision of a Peer Supervisor, the Peer Support Specialist (PSS) provides non-clinical, trauma-informed, and person-centered support to individuals mandated to participate in the Queens Supervised Release program. Drawing upon their own experiences with the justice system, recovery, or reentry, the PSS builds authentic relationships that foster trust, engagement, and personal growth. The PSS serves as a role model for recovery, resilience, and reintegration, and works collaboratively with case managers, clinicians, and/or behavioral health specialists, housing specialists, and legal system partners to reduce recidivism and support client success.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

As part of an interdisciplinary team the Peer Specialist will be responsible for supporting a caseload of 15–20 high-needs (serious mental illness, substance use, homelessness) participants at a time, providing face-to-face, telephonic, and community Peer recovery support and advocacy.

Establish supportive, peer-based relationships grounded in trust, mutual respect, and shared experience

Provide one-on-one peer mentoring, advocacy, and emotional support to program participants

Assist participants in identifying goals related to housing, employment, wellness, sobriety, and social connection

Accompany participants to court appearances, community appointments, or service referrals as needed

Support participants in navigating court requirements, probation/parole expectations, and community service obligations

Provide court-based Peer support to participants upon completion of arraignment, identifying immediate needs or concerns, and facilitating immediate connections to community-based services

Facilitate or co-facilitate peer-led groups focused on recovery, emotional regulation, life skills, and reentry planning

Collaborate with case managers and legal advocates to ensure participant needs and preferences are understood and honored

Participate in regular supervision, peer development meetings, and trainings related to harm reduction, trauma-informed care, and justice-system navigation

Document participant engagement and progress in a timely manner in an electronic case management system in accordance with program guidelines and confidentiality requirements

Uphold ethical guidelines, competencies, and boundaries appropriate to peer support roles

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

HS Diploma or equivalency required

NYS Peer Specialist certification (CPS) OR Recovery Peer Advocate certification (CRPA) required. Certification must be maintained and kept current while employed in this position.

2 years of professional experience as a Peer Specialist, Peer Advocate, Peer Navigator, or Peer Counselor in a Behavioral Health or Criminal Justice setting required

Personal lived experience with the criminal legal system and/or recovery from substance use, mental health, or homelessness

Ability to model recovery-oriented practices

Strong communication and interpersonal skills

Ability to maintain boundaries and practice cultural humility

Familiarity with community-based resources including housing, treatment, employment services, and legal supports

Proficiency in using computer software applications such as Microsoft Office suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook), email, web browser and database/file management systems required

Reliable transportation and ability to travel locally as needed

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Experience working or volunteering in peer support, reentry programs, harm reduction, or behavioral health settings

Knowledge of trauma-informed and restorative justice principles

Bilingual or multilingual (especially Spanish, if applicable to your region)

WORKING CONDITIONS:

This role involves a combination of office, community, and courtroom settings

Occasional evening or weekend hours may be required

Peer Support Specialists must be able to model wellness and uphold recovery principles in challenging environments

COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY, EQUITY, INCLUSION AND BELONGING

The New York City Criminal Justice Agency is committed to building a team that reflects the communities we serve. We strongly encourage applications from people who have been impacted by the justice system, are in recovery, or identify as part of historically marginalized communities

The successful candidate will possess a combination of the following knowledge, skills, and experiences:

Familiarity with Pretrial/Supervised Release, Alternative to Detention (ATD), Alternative to Incarceration (ATI) or other advocacy program models

Working knowledge of community-based treatment programs (substance use, mental health, etc.) and other support services and resources (housing, education, employment, vocational, etc.)

Ability to maintain professional boundaries and confidentiality in compliance with agency and state guidelines

Must be willing to work evening and weekend hours, as operations expand

Willingness to travel via public transportation to conduct community visits with participants

CJA VALUES

Each employee should embody the following core values in their work at CJA:

Commitment: We are committed to being active partners in criminal justice reform through initiatives and creative problem-solving that evaluate different methods and strategies for alternatives to detention.

Fairness: We are guided by fairness and the presumption of innocence for those who are detained and work with integrity and without bias to protect the privacy and interest of court-involved people and their families.

Innovation: We value curiosit