Peer Wellness Specialist

Title: Peer Wellness Specialist

Report to: Senior Program Director – Justice Works  

Status: Full Time

Compensation: $40,000 - $45,000 / Annually

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday; Thursdays 12:00 PM-8:00 PM; some weekend availability required

Office Location: Brooklyn, NY 11208

Organization Overview:

HousingPlus is a value driven nonprofit organization focused on assisting women in building community and transforming their lives. HousingPlus is actively seeking to provide support, training and opportunities that foster growth and well-being for its staff as well as the women we serve.

The mission of HousingPlus is to provide permanent, affordable housing and comprehensive services to women, including women with children, and gender expansive people to support them in overcoming poverty, homelessness, addiction, trauma and the effects of incarceration, in order to build lives of stability, and to define and realize goals for themselves and their families. Since its beginning in 2002, HousingPlus has worked to address the lack of housing and services for women who have historically been underserved and marginalized, especially women impacted by the criminal justice system, and for the past 10 years, also female Veterans. Over the next three years, HousingPlus’ programs will continue to grow, along with its commitment to serving vulnerable populations. 

Please consider joining a team committed to building brighter futures for all!

Please visit our website for more information regarding our organization: www.housingplusnyc.org.

Please do not call or email HousingPlus regarding the status of your application.

Position Summary:

HousingPlus is seeking a Peer Wellness Specialist to join the Justice Works program. Reporting to the Senior Director - Justice Works, the Peer Wellness Specialist will work across Liberty House, Providence House, and Hour Children to provide peer support, promote participant engagement, and strengthen social connection. 

Using a peer-centered, strengths-based approach, the Peer Wellness Specialist will support participants as they navigate reentry, transitional housing, and movement toward greater stability and independence. As Justice Works adopts SAMHSA's Eight Dimensions of Wellness as a programming framework, the role will focus particularly on Social Wellness by helping participants strengthen relationships, natural supports, community connections, and a sense of belonging.

The Peer Wellness Specialist will collaborate with provider staff to support wellness-focused groups, activities, outings, and community engagement while also providing individualized peer support, resource navigation,
accompaniment, and practical assistance.

Competencies/ Skills:  

Exceptional Communication Skills:

Peer Support and Engagement: Builds trusting, respectful relationships and uses lived experience appropriately to promote hope, self-advocacy, engagement, and wellness.

Communication and Collaboration: Communicates effectively with participants, provider staff, community partners, and Justice Works leadership and works successfully across multiple program sites.

Trauma-Informed Practice: Demonstrates a commitment to trauma-informed, person-centered, harm-reduction, strengths-based practices, participant choice, dignity, and self-determination.

Professional Boundaries: Maintains confidentiality, ethical boundaries, and appropriate use of lived experience within professional peer relationships.

Organization and Time Management: Manages responsibilities across multiple locations, follows through on participant needs, and completes required documentation within established timeframes.

Duties/Responsibilities: 

• Provide peer support and engagement to Justice Works participants across Liberty House, Providence House, and Hour Children.
• Use shared experience, when appropriate, to support participant hope, self-advocacy, community reintegration, and progress toward individual goals.
• Promote Social Wellness as part of Justice Works adoption of SAMHSA's Eight Dimensions of Wellness by encouraging healthy relationships, natural supports, community connection, and meaningful
  participation.
• Collaborate with provider staff to support peer groups, wellness discussions, workshops, activities, outings, and community events.
• Provide individualized support with community resources, benefits, services, vital documents, applications, and other systems as appropriate.
• Accompany participants to appointments, community resources, activities, and other service-related engagements when appropriate.
• Identify participant needs or barriers and communicate relevant concerns to provider staff and Justice Works leadership for appropriate follow-up.
• Document participant contacts, interventions, and progress notes in AWARDS accurately and within required timeframes.
• Maintain participant confidentiality, professional boundaries, and respect for individual choices, goals, experiences, and stages of change.
• Participate in supervision, team and provider meetings, case conferences, trainings, and other meetings as required.
• Maintain a regular presence across all three Justice Works provider locations and participate in evening and weekend programming or events as scheduled.
•  Perform other duties as assigned.

Required Skills/Abilities:

• Ability to engage and build rapport with individuals impacted by the criminal justice system, homelessness, trauma, behavioral health needs, and other barriers to stability.
• Understanding of peer support principles and the appropriate professional use of lived experience.
•  Strong interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with staff across multiple organizations and program sites.
• Ability to facilitate groups and engage participants in wellness-focused activities.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills.
• Basic computer proficiency, including Microsoft Office and electronic client-record systems; ability to learn and document services in AWARDS.
• Ability to travel regularly among Justice Works provider locations and within the community.
• Flexibility to work one scheduled evening per week and some weekends based on program needs.

Education and Experience:

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Lived experience with the criminal justice system, incarceration, reentry, homelessness, or other experiences relevant to the population served is strongly preferred.
• Experience working with individuals impacted by incarceration, reentry, homelessness, behavioral health needs, or related social-service systems preferred.
• Peer certification or recognized peer-support credential preferred.
• Experience facilitating peer groups, wellness activities, or community engagement preferred.

Additional Schedule Details:

• This is a full-time position. The regular work schedule includes Thursdays from 12:00 PM-8:00 PM to provide evening availability for participant engagement and programming. Some weekend availability is required based on program needs. Regular travel among Liberty House, Providence House, Hour Children, and community locations is expected.

Benefits:

• Medical, Dental, Vision, Flexible Spending Account, Commuter Benefits
• 403B Matching
• Supplemental Insurance at your discretion
• Access to discounted entertainment benefits