Peer Navigator

Position Summary

The Peer Navigator provides peer-based support, encouragement, and practical guidance to post-release individuals working toward recovery and wellness. Using lived experience and peer-support principles, this position helps participants identify goals, connect with community resources, navigate healthcare and social-service systems, and develop skills that support long-term recovery.

Supervision Received:

Receives general direction and oversight and works directly under the supervision of the Recovery Integration Support and Empowerment Program Director, Chief of Programs and Inmate Services and ADS of Programs and Inmate Services performing duties in accordance with all best practices and established guidelines.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provide one-on-one peer support to post-release individuals experiencing substance-use, mental-health, or other recovery-related challenges.
• Use lived experience appropriately to provide hope, encouragement, and motivation.
• Help participants identify personal goals and develop individualized recovery and wellness plans.
• Assist individuals in navigating healthcare, behavioral-health, housing, employment, benefits, transportation, and other community resources.
• Provide referrals and warm handoffs to appropriate providers and community organizations.
• Help participants overcome barriers to accessing services and maintaining engagement in care.
• Promote harm-reduction, recovery-oriented, and person-centered approaches.
• Support individuals in developing coping strategies, life skills, self-advocacy skills, and healthy support networks.
• Facilitate or co-facilitate peer support groups, educational activities, or recovery-focused programming.
• Maintain timely and accurate documentation of contacts, services, referrals, and outcomes.
• Participate in team meetings, case consultations, training, and supervision.
• Collaborate respectfully with clinical staff, healthcare providers, social-service agencies, and other community partners.
• Maintain professional boundaries and protect participant privacy and confidentiality.
• Respond appropriately to participant concerns and follow organizational procedures for safety and crisis situations.
• Encourage participants to make informed decisions about their own recovery and care.

Please note this job description is not designated to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee in this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Job Competencies:

• Strong communication, listening, organization, and interpersonal skills.

• Ability to establish trusting relationships while maintaining professional boundaries.

• Organized with attention to detail.

• Ability to follow an agency’s policies and procedures.

• Excellent interpersonal skills.

• Ability to prioritize and solve problems in a high-pressure environment.

  Ability to maintain necessary certifications.

• Ability to exercise discretion and good judgement and to handle confidential information.

• Working knowledge of Corrections terminology, procedures, and interrelationships of the criminal justice system and recovery programs.

• Knowledge of local community resources and recovery-support services is preferred.
• Ability to work effectively with individuals from diverse backgrounds.

Position Summary

The Peer Navigator provides peer-based support, encouragement, and practical guidance to post-release individuals working toward recovery and wellness. Using lived experience and peer-support principles, this position helps participants identify goals, connect with community resources, navigate healthcare and social-service systems, and develop skills that support long-term recovery.

Supervision Received:

Receives general direction and oversight and works directly under the supervision of the Recovery Integration Support and Empowerment Program Director, Chief of Programs and Inmate Services and ADS of Programs and Inmate Services performing duties in accordance with all best practices and established guidelines.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provide one-on-one peer support to post-release individuals experiencing substance-use, mental-health, or other recovery-related challenges.
• Use lived experience appropriately to provide hope, encouragement, and motivation.
• Help participants identify personal goals and develop individualized recovery and wellness plans.
• Assist individuals in navigating healthcare, behavioral-health, housing, employment, benefits, transportation, and other community resources.
• Provide referrals and warm handoffs to appropriate providers and community organizations.
• Help participants overcome barriers to accessing services and maintaining engagement in care.
• Promote harm-reduction, recovery-oriented, and person-centered approaches.
• Support individuals in developing coping strategies, life skills, self-advocacy skills, and healthy support networks.
• Facilitate or co-facilitate peer support groups, educational activities, or recovery-focused programming.
• Maintain timely and accurate documentation of contacts, services, referrals, and outcomes.
• Participate in team meetings, case consultations, training, and supervision.
• Collaborate respectfully with clinical staff, healthcare providers, social-service agencies, and other community partners.
• Maintain professional boundaries and protect participant privacy and confidentiality.
• Respond appropriately to participant concerns and follow organizational procedures for safety and crisis situations.
• Encourage participants to make informed decisions about their own recovery and care.

Please note this job description is not designated to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee in this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Job Competencies:

• Strong communication, listening, organization, and interpersonal skills.

• Ability to establish trusting relationships while maintaining professional boundaries.

• Organized with attention to detail.

• Ability to follow an agency’s policies and procedures.