Peer Recovery Specialist - (Onward/Reach One) at Independent Living Inc – Newburgh, New York

Title: Peer Recovery Specialist - (Onward/Reach One)

Position Type: Full-time, Non-exempt

Reports to: Recovery Center Program Manager

Base Location: Newburgh

Schedule: Monday - Friday 9am-5pm

Pay Rate: $25.00/hr

About Independent Living, Inc.

Since 1987, Independent Living Inc. (ILI) has been increasing access, encouraging self-determination, and advocating for the rights of people with disabilities in the Hudson Valley, of New York. Following the traditional independent living (IL) model, the majority of ILI’s board and staff are individuals with disabilities and use personal, lived experience to support others in the community – turning perceived deficits into assets.

Why Work with Us?

• Join a mission-driven organization dedicated to building a barrier-free society and supporting independent living
• Be part of a collaborative workplace that embraces diversity and innovation, where every team member’s voice and lived experience are respected and valued
• Be part of an organization that champions inclusive hiring practices and actively welcomes individuals of all abilities, recognizing the value of both visible and non-visible disabilities
• Make a direct impact by using your lived experience to support individuals and families on their recovery journey and help them achieve meaningful, self-directed goals
• Play a vital role in connecting people to essential services and community resources, helping remove barriers and promote long-term stability and independence

About the Role

The Peer Recovery Specialist (Onward/Reach One) plays a vital role in supporting individuals and families navigating substance use and mental health recovery. Drawing on lived experience, this position provides compassionate, person-centered support across all stages of recovery, helping individuals build resilience, access services, and achieve self-defined goals.

In this role, you will serve as both a mentor and advocate, guiding individuals through complex systems of care, promoting multiple pathways to recovery, and fostering independence and wellness. You’ll lead and support groups, assist with recovery and wellness planning, and connect individuals to critical community resources such as housing, healthcare, employment, and education.

Working collaboratively with internal teams and community partners, the Peer Recovery Specialist helps create a supportive environment where individuals feel empowered, respected, and capable of leading meaningful lives in their communities.

What You’ll Do

• Serve as a source of support for individuals during all stages of substance use disorder (SUD) and mental health (MH)recovery.
• Proactively engage families and individuals and provide guidance on how to access and navigate the substance use and mental health treatment systems and negotiate insurance barriers to treatment.
• Advocate for multiple pathways to recovery and engage in MAT (Medication Assisted Treatment) program partnerships.
• Provide group support, education, recovery information and skill building classes and workshops to families and individuals based on the 8 Dimensions of Wellness.
• Support Individuals and families, both individually and in small groups, with the following activities:

? Creating recovery service plans based on their individual recovery goals and determine steps to achieve those goals;

? Use recovery-oriented tools to help Individuals address challenges;

? Assist individuals to build their own self-directed wellness plans and Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP).

? Assist Individuals to access benefits, entitlements, legal assistance, civic restoration, transportation support, health management, stable housing, and education and employment connections;

? Support Individuals in their decision-making;

? Set up and sustain peer and family self-help and educational groups;

? Support Individuals in crisis;

• Coordinate a variety of activities that encourage engagement, employment, self-management and personal wellness.
• Promote stabilization and acclimation in the community, leading to a greater degree of independence and improved quality of life for people with substance use disorders.
• Maintain a current and working knowledge of systems.
• Engage in individual advocacy by assisting individuals with substance use disorders and mental health disorders in protecting and promoting their rights, resolving complaints, accessing services and navigating community supports of their choice. Act as a role model/mentor to empower individuals.
• Network with other agency providers and community support services.
• Complete all reporting and record keeping as required.
• Attend and actively participate in all meetings and training sessions provided by Independent Living, Inc. and those provided by outside agencies that are specific to the job responsibilities of the position.
• The above list of responsibilities is not intended to be all inclusive, other responsibilities and/or training may be assigned or required.

The ideal candidate will have:

• Excellent written and verbal presentation skills.
• Must have good time management skills and be self-directing.
• Must possess a valid driver’s license and have reliable transportation.
• Must have lived experience with substance use recovery and/or mental health recovery and be comfortable with self-disclosure as needed.
• High School diploma/equivalent
• Must have a working knowledge of the recovery process and be willing to promote multi-pathways to recovery.

It would be a plus if you also have:

• Certified Recovery Peer Advocate (CRPA or CRPA-P) and/or New York Certified Recovery Peer Specialist (NYCPS or NYCPS-P) strongly preferred.
• Bilingual Spanish/ English strongly preferred.
• Knowledge of ASL a plus.

Success in this role will be demonstrated through:

• Building trusting, supportive relationships with individuals and families, resulting in consistent engagement and participation in recovery services.
• Supporting individuals in developing and actively working toward personalized recovery and wellness goals, including completion and use of recovery plans and WRAPs.
• Demonstrating effective navigation of systems by successfully connecting individuals to critical resources such as treatment, housing, benefits, employment, and community supports.
• Facilitating or co-facilitating peer groups and workshops that are engaging, well-attended, and aligned with the 8 Dimensions of Wellness.
• Promoting self-advocacy and empowerment, evidenced by individuals taking increased ownership of their recovery decisions and next steps.
• Maintaining accurate, timely, and compliant documentation, reporting, and participation in required trainings and meetings.
• Building and sustaining strong partnerships with community providers and internal teams to enhance coordinated care and expand recovery support networks.

What we will provide to you

• Paid holidays from the first day of employment
• Paid lunch break
• Paid time off
• 401(k) with company match
• Health, Dental and Vision insurance
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
• Company provided Life, AD&D and Short- and Long-Term disability insurance
• Voluntary insurances including Critical Illness and Hospital Indemnity

ILI is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability status, veteran status, or any other characteristic or status protected by applicable law.

If you require reasonable accommodation to support the application process, please contact Latoya Merricks at (845) 674-7752.

To apply, visit us at https://www.myindependentliving.org/careers/