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.

• A High School Diploma or equivalent certificate is required.

• An Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in a related area of study is preferred.

• LADC/CADC or Recovery Coach Certificate is required; If candidate does not have relevant training/certification at the time of hire, training will be required within 6 months of hire.

• Lived experience (with at least one year of abstinence and actively engaged in recovery) with substance use condition, or experience working with individual (s) with behavioral health challenges (including substance use disorders) is required.

• Or equivalent education and experience.

• A valid Massachusetts driver’s license is required.

   

   

  Work Environment:

This position may involve working in an office, community settings, healthcare facilities, recovery centers, shelters, or participants' homes. The role may require local travel, flexible scheduling, and occasional evenings or weekends depending on program needs.