Re-Entry Peer Support Specialist

Re-Entry Peer Support Specialist        
ONON DSS Re-Entry        
Syracuse, New York - Onsite         
Nonexempt, FT 35 Hours 
Compensation: 30.21-32.96

Put the CARE in your CAREER!

At CCSI, our mission is to activate possibilities and spark change in organizations that put people first. Our vision guides us all in the right direction: a world of communities where everyone flourishes. CCSI is a trusted partner to human-centered organizations. We work with government, education, and non-profit institutions to strengthen their day-to-day operations, build successful teams, plan for the future, and increase their impact. We help organizations rise so communities can flourish. If you’re looking for a career with purpose that creates lasting change in the community, we encourage you to apply.

We are seeking a talented Re-Entry Peer Support Specialist to join our team of nearly 500 employees. The Re-Entry Peer Support Coach (RPSC) is a full-time grant funded position that furthers the goals of the County Reentry Task Force (CRTF) by providing guidance, mentorship, and appropriate support and stabilization to CRTF participants returning to the community from state incarceration. The RPSC works directly with clients to develop release plans, connect them to essential services, foster daily living skills, manage reentry challenges, and offer ongoing peer support to promote successful reintegration and reduce recidivism.

In this role, you will

Pre-Release Support

• Coordinate with correctional and community supervision staff and community partners (e.g. service providers) to ensure continuity of care.
• Work directly with incarcerated individuals to create personalized release plans addressing housing, employment, education, vocational, family reunification, and health needs.
• Conduct facility visits to build relationships and provide guidance on re-entry preparation.
• Provide guidance and information on the benefits and process of working with a CRTF.

Post-Release Support

• Serve as a mentor, positive role model and advocate for individuals to promote positive reintegration.
• Provide a trauma-informed, human-centered and strength-based approach.
• Assist clients in accessing community resources such as housing, vocational training and job readiness programs, mental health services, substance use programs, benefits and other resources and may include escorting participants to appointments.
• Assist clients in obtaining identification and documents in support of successful reentry.
• Provide emotional support and practical guidance during the transition period.

Case Management & Advocacy

• Maintain accurate records of client interactions, interventions and progress.
• Advocate for clients’ needs with service providers and agencies, where appropriate.
• Monitor and evaluate client goals to ensure successful reintegration.
• Coordinate and facilitate multiple reentry services to avoid gaps in care and services.
• Form strong relationships with county and local service providers as well as parole officers.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

What you bring

• Associate Degree or equivalent education and work experience (see CCSI's equivalency chart). Bachelor’s Degree or other higher education qualifications preferred.
• Three years separated from custody.
• Achieved programmatic certifications during incarceration.

Required for this position are: 

• CCSI requires all staff to be fully vaccinated against the COVID-19 virus.  Reasonable accommodations will be made for individuals with a qualified religious or medical/disability need.
• Respect the confidential nature of all CCSI and CCSI customer information you are exposed to in the course of your work performance. Staff working directly with protected health information /electronically stored protected health information, personally identifiable information, and other patient/consumer/customer data, will abide by the specific procedures and policies outlined by CCSI’s Code of Conduct and CCSI’s Privacy and Security Policies, New York State regulations and Federal regulations.
• Communicating effectively.
• Building collaborative relationships.
• Valuing diversity and fostering an inclusive environment.
• Striving for self-development and taking initiative to be resourceful.
• Problem-solving both independently and with others.
• Cultural competence, awareness, and skills.
• Trauma-informed approaches.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality as well as set and maintain professional boundaries.
• Focused on actionable goals related to reintegration, rehabilitation, or breaking the cycle of re-offending.
• Broad knowledge of human service agencies and community-based organizations.
• Ability to work independently, in the field, and as part of a team.
• Lived experience experts/Credible Messenger who achieved successful re-entry.
• Strong communication, analytical, empathy, and problem-solving skills.
• Experienced in de-escalation techniques.
• Well organized, detail oriented and proficient in time management.
• Essential computer skills including Microsoft Office and Outlook.
• Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation.
• Successfully discharged from Community Supervision.

 At CCSI, you’ll enjoy

• Market-competitive compensation 
• An award-winning Wellness@Work and employee benefits program.
• An organization that is committed to racial equity and anti-racist practices.
• Continuous professional development opportunities. 
• A voice in shaping CCSI’s ever-evolving diverse company culture.

We Are CCSI!

For more than 30 years, CCSI has been a leading non-profit partner to government agencies, schools, and community-based organizations in the mental and behavioral health space. We aim to maximize these organizations’ potential to serve their communities by supporting their business operations and staffing needs. We dream of communities where everyone flourishes, and we are proud to help our customers move towards that goal.

At CCSI, you are not just part of a team, you are part of a community. You do not just fit in, you belong. We are proud of our steadfast commitment to equity, working diligently to remedy the impact of systems of racism and other forms of oppression to ensure that everyone in our employee community can flourish. We encourage applicants from diverse backgrounds to consider joining us.

CCSI does not accept inquiries from third-party recruiters or search agencies.

CCSI participates in E-Verify, a federal program that confirms the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees by comparing information provided on the Form I-9 with records from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the Social Security Administration.

Coordinated Care Services, Inc (CCSI) provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.