About the position Be part of a team that values connection, accountability, and real impact. At Access, our Culture Playbook isn’t a poster on the wall – it’s how we show up for each other and for the people we support. You’ll be part of a team that is clear about expectations, supportive and accountable, focused on outcomes that matter to people, and committed to helping people live the healthiest and fullest lives possible – while making sure our staff can do the same. This role is located in Orange, Ulster and Dutchess County and is Per Diem, with a current need on Saturdays. The rate of pay is \$25 for Provisional Peer Certification and \$28 for Full Certification.

Responsibilities

• Engage and Inspire Hope: Proactively connect with individuals in community settings (e.g., streets, shelters, homes, hospitals) with empathy and belief in their potential for recovery.
• Foster Empowerment and Trust: Encourage individuals to define their goals, identify strengths, and take steps toward self-determined wellness.
• Model Recovery: Use your own recovery story to show that healing and progress are achievable.
• Initiate and Sustain Connection: Build trust through consistency, nonjudgmental support, and authentic presence in the field.
• Reduce Barriers to Care: Help individuals navigate systems and overcome obstacles that prevent access to behavioral health and social services.
• Facilitate Linkage to Services: Guide individuals toward clinical care, housing, benefits, and community-based supports.
• Support Community Integration: Encourage participation in meaningful activities, social networks, and recovery-oriented resources.
• Field-Based Resource Navigator: Deliver information and connect individuals to services during outreach encounters.
• Trusted Guide & Supportive Listener: Offer emotional support grounded in empathy and shared experience.
• Recovery Ally: Serve as a mentor and motivator, walking alongside individuals through initial and ongoing stages of recovery.
• Flexible Problem Solver: Identify and troubleshoot challenges that interfere with engagement or stability.
• Cultural Broker: Bridge gaps in understanding between individuals and systems using language and lived perspective.

Requirements

• Lived experience with mental health and/or substance use recovery, and willingness to share your journey to inspire others.
• Experience navigating behavioral health systems or overcoming life challenges related to mental health or addiction.
• Valid New York State Peer Certification (Provisional or Full) such as CP, YPA, FPA, CRPA or other.
• Strong interpersonal, active listening, and communication skills.
• Comfort working independently in field-based or community environments.
• Flexibility to work non-traditional hours (evenings, weekends, or early mornings as needed).
• Collaborative mindset and ability to work within multidisciplinary teams.
• Basic proficiency in documentation and mobile communication tools.

Nice-to-haves

• Experience providing peer support in outreach, street-based, or community settings strongly preferred.
• Knowledge of harm reduction, trauma-informed care, and recovery-oriented practices.
• Understanding of local systems (e.g., shelters, clinics, hospitals, crisis services).