EOE STATEMENT

We are an equal employment opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, creed, color, religion, gender (including pregnancy), national origin, nationality, ancestry, age, familial status, marital/civil union status, domestic partnership status, affectional or sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, atypical hereditary cellular or blood trait, genetic information, liability for military service, disability status (mental or physical, including perceived disability, and AIDS and HIV status), protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.

Position Summary:

The Peer Support Specialist plays a critical frontline role in NCST’s Overdose Response Team (ORT), offering nonjudgmental, person-centered support to individuals impacted by substance use. As someone with lived experience, the Peer Support Specialist uses empathy, cultural humility, and shared understanding to build trust with participants and help them navigate recovery, harm reduction, and wellness pathways. This role promotes empowerment, reduces stigma, and connects individuals to community-based resources, treatment, and care.

The Peer Support Specialist works closely with NCST outreach staff, clinicians, and public health partners to engage individuals at high risk of overdose, offering hope, information, and ongoing peer navigation services.

Key Responsibilities:

• Engage individuals impacted by substance use through street outreach, overdose follow-up, and community-based interactions.
• Build trusting, respectful relationships based on shared lived experience, nonjudgment, and confidentiality.
• Provide emotional support, practical assistance, and peer mentoring focused on harm reduction and self-determined recovery goals.
• Distribute naloxone (Narcan) and other harm reduction supplies, providing overdose prevention education.
• Assist participants in navigating referrals to mental health care, medical services, housing, detox, recovery programs, and other social services.
• Document all participant interactions, service referrals, and follow-ups in a timely and accurate manner.
• Work collaboratively with program staff to identify barriers and advocate for participant needs.
• Attend weekly team meetings, trainings, and supervision to build skills and ensure alignment with NCST practices.
• Participate in community events, outreach walks, and overdose response deployments.
• Serve as a model for recovery, resilience, and wellness for both participants and team members.
• Uphold HIPAA and NCST confidentiality standards at all times.

Qualifications & Skills:

• Lived experience with substance use, recovery, or behavioral health challenges is required.
• Certification as a Peer Recovery Specialist (CPRS) or willingness to complete certification within 6 months of hire.
• Commitment to harm reduction principles, trauma-informed care, and person-centered service delivery.
• Strong interpersonal communication skills and the ability to engage individuals with empathy and patience.
• Ability to work independently in the field while collaborating with a supportive interdisciplinary team.
• Comfortable using technology for documentation (e.g., Google Workspace, Monday.com, case management systems).
• Flexibility to work nontraditional hours, including evenings or weekends, as needed.
• Bilingual or multilingual candidates (especially Spanish or Haitian Creole) are highly encouraged to apply.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience working in peer support, harm reduction, outreach, or behavioral health settings.
• Knowledge of local Newark resources, treatment providers, and recovery communities.
• Familiarity with overdose prevention tools, motivational interviewing, or trauma-informed engagement.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee will frequently stand; walk and sit in an office environment
• May be required to drive personal vehicle
• There will be occasional lifting up to 15-20lbs

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: Up to $25.24 per hour

People with a criminal record are encouraged to apply

Ability to Commute:

• Newark, NJ 07101 (Required)

Willingness to travel:

• 25% (Preferred)

Work Location: In person